Dentist creates art gallery
Filling the walls ... Andy Balman, left, and Allen Branley at Balman Galleries at Complete Smile.
A DENTIST more used to unleashing his creative side on patients has found another outlet for his love of art.
Allen Branley is preparing for the launch next month of the Balman Gallery at Complete Smile in Thomas Street, South Shields.
The cosmetic dental practice will be home to work by nationally and internationally recognised artists, such as Billy Childish, Maggie Hambling, Chris Gollon and Peter Howson.
It will also feature selected work from leading contemporary artists in the North East.
Mr Branley, who has also helped launch a bursary for art students at South Tyneside College, said: “I have personally been collecting art for a number of years and have been lucky enough to travel the world teaching and lecturing to dentists, visiting some of the world’s most prestigious galleries along the way.
“As my profession is a blend of science and artistic endeavour, I wanted to help improve access and understanding of international contemporary art.”
Mr Branley is joined in the venture by Andy Balman, owner of the Balman Gallery in Corbridge, Northumberland, and co-founder of the NewcastleGateshead Art Fair, which was sponsored by Complete Smile last year.
Mr Balman said: “Allen is an active supporter of the arts and cultural sector, and I was delighted to be able to establish a second gallery presence in the North East, this time in the busy Tyneside conurbation.
“The Branley & Balman Gallery Bursary is a great new fund and mechanism to provide real, practical support to young, emerging artists in the region, many of whom struggle to pay for their art materials and tuition.”
The bursary has a starting fund of £5,000 to support talented art students from South Tyneside College, which sent three people to the prestigious Goldsmiths College in London last year.
Principal and chief executive Lindsey Whiterod, said: “I would like to thank Andy and Allen for their generosity in developing this bursary support.
“The scheme is a fantastic opportunity for our art students, and will also help to further enhance our growing reputation for developing artistic talent in South Tyneside.”
The gallery will be officially launched at an invitation-only event on Friday, February 11, and will open for viewings the next day between 11am and 4pm, or by arrangement.
For more information, contact 427 1029 or visit www.completesmile.co.uk/art
angela.reed@northeast-press.co.uk
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Thursday 23 February 2012
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