A guide through Margate’s art spaces from Liminal Gallery’s Louise Fitzjohn
The founder and curator of Margate's smallest art gallery walks us through the town's burgeoning art scene...
By
gowithYamo
August 10, 2023
Organically working her way up the art world, Louise Fitzjohn worked in esteemed galleries across London for over a decade. Then, in March 2021, she made the move out of London to found Margate’s Liminal Gallery, with the physical gallery opening in October 2022. Liminal is a space curated with the aim to “present an all-round snapshot of what is happening right now in contemporary art, showcasing artists at all stages of their careers” with a particular focus on female artists and artist mothers. With Margate standing out as one of the UK’s most vibrant, ever-growing art scenes, we took the opportunity to take a walk with Louise and visit her favourite galleries and art spaces that the town has to offer.
“They started out as an antique and ice cream shop, then in Easter 2023, Ben opened a gallery space too. He's mostly showing amazing local artists you might not have heard about before, so he's working a lot with a wide range of contemporary artists. He’s also bringing some more well-known artists based in Margate back here like Lily Mixe, who just had a solo show at Saatchi Gallery. So I think that he's doing some really interesting things but it's brand new. I feel like he's being quite open to interesting ideas and presentations while he's finding his feet.”
“The Lido Stores is run by Kristen Healy, the curator, and Elliot Marsh. Outside the main space, she has a shop supporting some local artists, sculptors and ceramicists. But then in the gallery she really focuses a lot on paintings, prints and drawings by artists from all over the country; there's lots to look at, lots of very eclectic little hidden gems. And then they have what I like to call the sugar cube at the back, which is this little box room where they’ll have a really interesting exhibition. They do open calls, which is a great way to support lots of artists, especially emerging artists, and give them a spotlight. I think that they're quite adventurous in their hanging because it is a small space, it's always interesting to see how they approach it.”
“Quench Gallery is run by artists Lindsey Mendick and Guy Oliver. They have a gallery space but they’re also trying to build a community there, which I just find so inspiring. They’re currently running a summertime programme for young children and throughout the winter, they have coffee mornings aimed at older generations. They’re lottery-funded, meaning that they have to hold community events - a lot of galleries will shy away from it a bit, but Quench are really going for it, so that's really commendable. And in the gallery they're showing a really exciting programme of artists, they go beyond just ‘pretty paintings on a wall’ - they always transform the space which is great, they’re really challenging shows to put together, but they’re not afraid to support those kinds of artists. It’s always an exciting space to go to, not knowing what you’re going into when you go down the stairs, entering this new world every time.”
“An amazing concept: Shop Front is literally a window which you can look through to see some wonderful artwork. It really breaks down the literal barriers of having to cross a threshold in order to enjoy art, you can just walk past it on the street and still see some amazing artworks. It can take some people a lot of courage just to go into a gallery space, feeling that they might be asked questions or put on the spot. So it’s a really creative way of breaking down those barriers to make the space more readily accessible.”
“The exhibition Kavel Rafferty has on at the moment is part of the Margate Pride Art Map; she’s an artist herself, as well as a curator, so she’s keen to showcase ‘outsider’ artists, who might not be recognised within the ‘traditional’ fine art world. She did an amazing project recently with a group of anarchist crocheters, mostly women existing on the periphery who maybe haven’t been acknowledged as much as their male counterparts have been. So she’s a massive champion of female artists and the most amazing collaborator - she made me feel very, very welcome when I came to Margate, so it’s really important for me to promote her as a champion of women artists.”
“243luz are brand new - they only opened a few months ago and I just think that they’re presenting a totally different programme to anyone else in Margate. They’re a bit further out of town, so it’s further to walk, but it’s always worth it because the works they’re showing are just so challenging and interesting. You can always have a good chat when you go in there, which I think is important.”
Looking for an art-filled day out in Margate? Be sure to check the gowithYamo app for all the latest exhibitions, fairs and art shows!
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Organically working her way up the art world, Louise Fitzjohn worked in esteemed galleries across London for over a decade. Then, in March 2021, she made the move out of London to found Margate’s Liminal Gallery, with the physical gallery opening in October 2022. Liminal is a space curated with the aim to “present an all-round snapshot of what is happening right now in contemporary art, showcasing artists at all stages of their careers” with a particular focus on female artists and artist mothers. With Margate standing out as one of the UK’s most vibrant, ever-growing art scenes, we took the opportunity to take a walk with Louise and visit her favourite galleries and art spaces that the town has to offer.
“They started out as an antique and ice cream shop, then in Easter 2023, Ben opened a gallery space too. He's mostly showing amazing local artists you might not have heard about before, so he's working a lot with a wide range of contemporary artists. He’s also bringing some more well-known artists based in Margate back here like Lily Mixe, who just had a solo show at Saatchi Gallery. So I think that he's doing some really interesting things but it's brand new. I feel like he's being quite open to interesting ideas and presentations while he's finding his feet.”
“The Lido Stores is run by Kristen Healy, the curator, and Elliot Marsh. Outside the main space, she has a shop supporting some local artists, sculptors and ceramicists. But then in the gallery she really focuses a lot on paintings, prints and drawings by artists from all over the country; there's lots to look at, lots of very eclectic little hidden gems. And then they have what I like to call the sugar cube at the back, which is this little box room where they’ll have a really interesting exhibition. They do open calls, which is a great way to support lots of artists, especially emerging artists, and give them a spotlight. I think that they're quite adventurous in their hanging because it is a small space, it's always interesting to see how they approach it.”
“Quench Gallery is run by artists Lindsey Mendick and Guy Oliver. They have a gallery space but they’re also trying to build a community there, which I just find so inspiring. They’re currently running a summertime programme for young children and throughout the winter, they have coffee mornings aimed at older generations. They’re lottery-funded, meaning that they have to hold community events - a lot of galleries will shy away from it a bit, but Quench are really going for it, so that's really commendable. And in the gallery they're showing a really exciting programme of artists, they go beyond just ‘pretty paintings on a wall’ - they always transform the space which is great, they’re really challenging shows to put together, but they’re not afraid to support those kinds of artists. It’s always an exciting space to go to, not knowing what you’re going into when you go down the stairs, entering this new world every time.”
“An amazing concept: Shop Front is literally a window which you can look through to see some wonderful artwork. It really breaks down the literal barriers of having to cross a threshold in order to enjoy art, you can just walk past it on the street and still see some amazing artworks. It can take some people a lot of courage just to go into a gallery space, feeling that they might be asked questions or put on the spot. So it’s a really creative way of breaking down those barriers to make the space more readily accessible.”
“The exhibition Kavel Rafferty has on at the moment is part of the Margate Pride Art Map; she’s an artist herself, as well as a curator, so she’s keen to showcase ‘outsider’ artists, who might not be recognised within the ‘traditional’ fine art world. She did an amazing project recently with a group of anarchist crocheters, mostly women existing on the periphery who maybe haven’t been acknowledged as much as their male counterparts have been. So she’s a massive champion of female artists and the most amazing collaborator - she made me feel very, very welcome when I came to Margate, so it’s really important for me to promote her as a champion of women artists.”
“243luz are brand new - they only opened a few months ago and I just think that they’re presenting a totally different programme to anyone else in Margate. They’re a bit further out of town, so it’s further to walk, but it’s always worth it because the works they’re showing are just so challenging and interesting. You can always have a good chat when you go in there, which I think is important.”
Looking for an art-filled day out in Margate? Be sure to check the gowithYamo app for all the latest exhibitions, fairs and art shows!
Organically working her way up the art world, Louise Fitzjohn worked in esteemed galleries across London for over a decade. Then, in March 2021, she made the move out of London to found Margate’s Liminal Gallery, with the physical gallery opening in October 2022. Liminal is a space curated with the aim to “present an all-round snapshot of what is happening right now in contemporary art, showcasing artists at all stages of their careers” with a particular focus on female artists and artist mothers. With Margate standing out as one of the UK’s most vibrant, ever-growing art scenes, we took the opportunity to take a walk with Louise and visit her favourite galleries and art spaces that the town has to offer.
“They started out as an antique and ice cream shop, then in Easter 2023, Ben opened a gallery space too. He's mostly showing amazing local artists you might not have heard about before, so he's working a lot with a wide range of contemporary artists. He’s also bringing some more well-known artists based in Margate back here like Lily Mixe, who just had a solo show at Saatchi Gallery. So I think that he's doing some really interesting things but it's brand new. I feel like he's being quite open to interesting ideas and presentations while he's finding his feet.”
“The Lido Stores is run by Kristen Healy, the curator, and Elliot Marsh. Outside the main space, she has a shop supporting some local artists, sculptors and ceramicists. But then in the gallery she really focuses a lot on paintings, prints and drawings by artists from all over the country; there's lots to look at, lots of very eclectic little hidden gems. And then they have what I like to call the sugar cube at the back, which is this little box room where they’ll have a really interesting exhibition. They do open calls, which is a great way to support lots of artists, especially emerging artists, and give them a spotlight. I think that they're quite adventurous in their hanging because it is a small space, it's always interesting to see how they approach it.”
“Quench Gallery is run by artists Lindsey Mendick and Guy Oliver. They have a gallery space but they’re also trying to build a community there, which I just find so inspiring. They’re currently running a summertime programme for young children and throughout the winter, they have coffee mornings aimed at older generations. They’re lottery-funded, meaning that they have to hold community events - a lot of galleries will shy away from it a bit, but Quench are really going for it, so that's really commendable. And in the gallery they're showing a really exciting programme of artists, they go beyond just ‘pretty paintings on a wall’ - they always transform the space which is great, they’re really challenging shows to put together, but they’re not afraid to support those kinds of artists. It’s always an exciting space to go to, not knowing what you’re going into when you go down the stairs, entering this new world every time.”
“An amazing concept: Shop Front is literally a window which you can look through to see some wonderful artwork. It really breaks down the literal barriers of having to cross a threshold in order to enjoy art, you can just walk past it on the street and still see some amazing artworks. It can take some people a lot of courage just to go into a gallery space, feeling that they might be asked questions or put on the spot. So it’s a really creative way of breaking down those barriers to make the space more readily accessible.”
“The exhibition Kavel Rafferty has on at the moment is part of the Margate Pride Art Map; she’s an artist herself, as well as a curator, so she’s keen to showcase ‘outsider’ artists, who might not be recognised within the ‘traditional’ fine art world. She did an amazing project recently with a group of anarchist crocheters, mostly women existing on the periphery who maybe haven’t been acknowledged as much as their male counterparts have been. So she’s a massive champion of female artists and the most amazing collaborator - she made me feel very, very welcome when I came to Margate, so it’s really important for me to promote her as a champion of women artists.”
“243luz are brand new - they only opened a few months ago and I just think that they’re presenting a totally different programme to anyone else in Margate. They’re a bit further out of town, so it’s further to walk, but it’s always worth it because the works they’re showing are just so challenging and interesting. You can always have a good chat when you go in there, which I think is important.”
Looking for an art-filled day out in Margate? Be sure to check the gowithYamo app for all the latest exhibitions, fairs and art shows!
Organically working her way up the art world, Louise Fitzjohn worked in esteemed galleries across London for over a decade. Then, in March 2021, she made the move out of London to found Margate’s Liminal Gallery, with the physical gallery opening in October 2022. Liminal is a space curated with the aim to “present an all-round snapshot of what is happening right now in contemporary art, showcasing artists at all stages of their careers” with a particular focus on female artists and artist mothers. With Margate standing out as one of the UK’s most vibrant, ever-growing art scenes, we took the opportunity to take a walk with Louise and visit her favourite galleries and art spaces that the town has to offer.
“They started out as an antique and ice cream shop, then in Easter 2023, Ben opened a gallery space too. He's mostly showing amazing local artists you might not have heard about before, so he's working a lot with a wide range of contemporary artists. He’s also bringing some more well-known artists based in Margate back here like Lily Mixe, who just had a solo show at Saatchi Gallery. So I think that he's doing some really interesting things but it's brand new. I feel like he's being quite open to interesting ideas and presentations while he's finding his feet.”
“The Lido Stores is run by Kristen Healy, the curator, and Elliot Marsh. Outside the main space, she has a shop supporting some local artists, sculptors and ceramicists. But then in the gallery she really focuses a lot on paintings, prints and drawings by artists from all over the country; there's lots to look at, lots of very eclectic little hidden gems. And then they have what I like to call the sugar cube at the back, which is this little box room where they’ll have a really interesting exhibition. They do open calls, which is a great way to support lots of artists, especially emerging artists, and give them a spotlight. I think that they're quite adventurous in their hanging because it is a small space, it's always interesting to see how they approach it.”
“Quench Gallery is run by artists Lindsey Mendick and Guy Oliver. They have a gallery space but they’re also trying to build a community there, which I just find so inspiring. They’re currently running a summertime programme for young children and throughout the winter, they have coffee mornings aimed at older generations. They’re lottery-funded, meaning that they have to hold community events - a lot of galleries will shy away from it a bit, but Quench are really going for it, so that's really commendable. And in the gallery they're showing a really exciting programme of artists, they go beyond just ‘pretty paintings on a wall’ - they always transform the space which is great, they’re really challenging shows to put together, but they’re not afraid to support those kinds of artists. It’s always an exciting space to go to, not knowing what you’re going into when you go down the stairs, entering this new world every time.”
“An amazing concept: Shop Front is literally a window which you can look through to see some wonderful artwork. It really breaks down the literal barriers of having to cross a threshold in order to enjoy art, you can just walk past it on the street and still see some amazing artworks. It can take some people a lot of courage just to go into a gallery space, feeling that they might be asked questions or put on the spot. So it’s a really creative way of breaking down those barriers to make the space more readily accessible.”
“The exhibition Kavel Rafferty has on at the moment is part of the Margate Pride Art Map; she’s an artist herself, as well as a curator, so she’s keen to showcase ‘outsider’ artists, who might not be recognised within the ‘traditional’ fine art world. She did an amazing project recently with a group of anarchist crocheters, mostly women existing on the periphery who maybe haven’t been acknowledged as much as their male counterparts have been. So she’s a massive champion of female artists and the most amazing collaborator - she made me feel very, very welcome when I came to Margate, so it’s really important for me to promote her as a champion of women artists.”
“243luz are brand new - they only opened a few months ago and I just think that they’re presenting a totally different programme to anyone else in Margate. They’re a bit further out of town, so it’s further to walk, but it’s always worth it because the works they’re showing are just so challenging and interesting. You can always have a good chat when you go in there, which I think is important.”
Looking for an art-filled day out in Margate? Be sure to check the gowithYamo app for all the latest exhibitions, fairs and art shows!
Organically working her way up the art world, Louise Fitzjohn worked in esteemed galleries across London for over a decade. Then, in March 2021, she made the move out of London to found Margate’s Liminal Gallery, with the physical gallery opening in October 2022. Liminal is a space curated with the aim to “present an all-round snapshot of what is happening right now in contemporary art, showcasing artists at all stages of their careers” with a particular focus on female artists and artist mothers. With Margate standing out as one of the UK’s most vibrant, ever-growing art scenes, we took the opportunity to take a walk with Louise and visit her favourite galleries and art spaces that the town has to offer.
“They started out as an antique and ice cream shop, then in Easter 2023, Ben opened a gallery space too. He's mostly showing amazing local artists you might not have heard about before, so he's working a lot with a wide range of contemporary artists. He’s also bringing some more well-known artists based in Margate back here like Lily Mixe, who just had a solo show at Saatchi Gallery. So I think that he's doing some really interesting things but it's brand new. I feel like he's being quite open to interesting ideas and presentations while he's finding his feet.”
“The Lido Stores is run by Kristen Healy, the curator, and Elliot Marsh. Outside the main space, she has a shop supporting some local artists, sculptors and ceramicists. But then in the gallery she really focuses a lot on paintings, prints and drawings by artists from all over the country; there's lots to look at, lots of very eclectic little hidden gems. And then they have what I like to call the sugar cube at the back, which is this little box room where they’ll have a really interesting exhibition. They do open calls, which is a great way to support lots of artists, especially emerging artists, and give them a spotlight. I think that they're quite adventurous in their hanging because it is a small space, it's always interesting to see how they approach it.”
“Quench Gallery is run by artists Lindsey Mendick and Guy Oliver. They have a gallery space but they’re also trying to build a community there, which I just find so inspiring. They’re currently running a summertime programme for young children and throughout the winter, they have coffee mornings aimed at older generations. They’re lottery-funded, meaning that they have to hold community events - a lot of galleries will shy away from it a bit, but Quench are really going for it, so that's really commendable. And in the gallery they're showing a really exciting programme of artists, they go beyond just ‘pretty paintings on a wall’ - they always transform the space which is great, they’re really challenging shows to put together, but they’re not afraid to support those kinds of artists. It’s always an exciting space to go to, not knowing what you’re going into when you go down the stairs, entering this new world every time.”
“An amazing concept: Shop Front is literally a window which you can look through to see some wonderful artwork. It really breaks down the literal barriers of having to cross a threshold in order to enjoy art, you can just walk past it on the street and still see some amazing artworks. It can take some people a lot of courage just to go into a gallery space, feeling that they might be asked questions or put on the spot. So it’s a really creative way of breaking down those barriers to make the space more readily accessible.”
“The exhibition Kavel Rafferty has on at the moment is part of the Margate Pride Art Map; she’s an artist herself, as well as a curator, so she’s keen to showcase ‘outsider’ artists, who might not be recognised within the ‘traditional’ fine art world. She did an amazing project recently with a group of anarchist crocheters, mostly women existing on the periphery who maybe haven’t been acknowledged as much as their male counterparts have been. So she’s a massive champion of female artists and the most amazing collaborator - she made me feel very, very welcome when I came to Margate, so it’s really important for me to promote her as a champion of women artists.”
“243luz are brand new - they only opened a few months ago and I just think that they’re presenting a totally different programme to anyone else in Margate. They’re a bit further out of town, so it’s further to walk, but it’s always worth it because the works they’re showing are just so challenging and interesting. You can always have a good chat when you go in there, which I think is important.”
Looking for an art-filled day out in Margate? Be sure to check the gowithYamo app for all the latest exhibitions, fairs and art shows!
Organically working her way up the art world, Louise Fitzjohn worked in esteemed galleries across London for over a decade. Then, in March 2021, she made the move out of London to found Margate’s Liminal Gallery, with the physical gallery opening in October 2022. Liminal is a space curated with the aim to “present an all-round snapshot of what is happening right now in contemporary art, showcasing artists at all stages of their careers” with a particular focus on female artists and artist mothers. With Margate standing out as one of the UK’s most vibrant, ever-growing art scenes, we took the opportunity to take a walk with Louise and visit her favourite galleries and art spaces that the town has to offer.
“They started out as an antique and ice cream shop, then in Easter 2023, Ben opened a gallery space too. He's mostly showing amazing local artists you might not have heard about before, so he's working a lot with a wide range of contemporary artists. He’s also bringing some more well-known artists based in Margate back here like Lily Mixe, who just had a solo show at Saatchi Gallery. So I think that he's doing some really interesting things but it's brand new. I feel like he's being quite open to interesting ideas and presentations while he's finding his feet.”
“The Lido Stores is run by Kristen Healy, the curator, and Elliot Marsh. Outside the main space, she has a shop supporting some local artists, sculptors and ceramicists. But then in the gallery she really focuses a lot on paintings, prints and drawings by artists from all over the country; there's lots to look at, lots of very eclectic little hidden gems. And then they have what I like to call the sugar cube at the back, which is this little box room where they’ll have a really interesting exhibition. They do open calls, which is a great way to support lots of artists, especially emerging artists, and give them a spotlight. I think that they're quite adventurous in their hanging because it is a small space, it's always interesting to see how they approach it.”
“Quench Gallery is run by artists Lindsey Mendick and Guy Oliver. They have a gallery space but they’re also trying to build a community there, which I just find so inspiring. They’re currently running a summertime programme for young children and throughout the winter, they have coffee mornings aimed at older generations. They’re lottery-funded, meaning that they have to hold community events - a lot of galleries will shy away from it a bit, but Quench are really going for it, so that's really commendable. And in the gallery they're showing a really exciting programme of artists, they go beyond just ‘pretty paintings on a wall’ - they always transform the space which is great, they’re really challenging shows to put together, but they’re not afraid to support those kinds of artists. It’s always an exciting space to go to, not knowing what you’re going into when you go down the stairs, entering this new world every time.”
“An amazing concept: Shop Front is literally a window which you can look through to see some wonderful artwork. It really breaks down the literal barriers of having to cross a threshold in order to enjoy art, you can just walk past it on the street and still see some amazing artworks. It can take some people a lot of courage just to go into a gallery space, feeling that they might be asked questions or put on the spot. So it’s a really creative way of breaking down those barriers to make the space more readily accessible.”
“The exhibition Kavel Rafferty has on at the moment is part of the Margate Pride Art Map; she’s an artist herself, as well as a curator, so she’s keen to showcase ‘outsider’ artists, who might not be recognised within the ‘traditional’ fine art world. She did an amazing project recently with a group of anarchist crocheters, mostly women existing on the periphery who maybe haven’t been acknowledged as much as their male counterparts have been. So she’s a massive champion of female artists and the most amazing collaborator - she made me feel very, very welcome when I came to Margate, so it’s really important for me to promote her as a champion of women artists.”
“243luz are brand new - they only opened a few months ago and I just think that they’re presenting a totally different programme to anyone else in Margate. They’re a bit further out of town, so it’s further to walk, but it’s always worth it because the works they’re showing are just so challenging and interesting. You can always have a good chat when you go in there, which I think is important.”
Looking for an art-filled day out in Margate? Be sure to check the gowithYamo app for all the latest exhibitions, fairs and art shows!
Organically working her way up the art world, Louise Fitzjohn worked in esteemed galleries across London for over a decade. Then, in March 2021, she made the move out of London to found Margate’s Liminal Gallery, with the physical gallery opening in October 2022. Liminal is a space curated with the aim to “present an all-round snapshot of what is happening right now in contemporary art, showcasing artists at all stages of their careers” with a particular focus on female artists and artist mothers. With Margate standing out as one of the UK’s most vibrant, ever-growing art scenes, we took the opportunity to take a walk with Louise and visit her favourite galleries and art spaces that the town has to offer.
“They started out as an antique and ice cream shop, then in Easter 2023, Ben opened a gallery space too. He's mostly showing amazing local artists you might not have heard about before, so he's working a lot with a wide range of contemporary artists. He’s also bringing some more well-known artists based in Margate back here like Lily Mixe, who just had a solo show at Saatchi Gallery. So I think that he's doing some really interesting things but it's brand new. I feel like he's being quite open to interesting ideas and presentations while he's finding his feet.”
“The Lido Stores is run by Kristen Healy, the curator, and Elliot Marsh. Outside the main space, she has a shop supporting some local artists, sculptors and ceramicists. But then in the gallery she really focuses a lot on paintings, prints and drawings by artists from all over the country; there's lots to look at, lots of very eclectic little hidden gems. And then they have what I like to call the sugar cube at the back, which is this little box room where they’ll have a really interesting exhibition. They do open calls, which is a great way to support lots of artists, especially emerging artists, and give them a spotlight. I think that they're quite adventurous in their hanging because it is a small space, it's always interesting to see how they approach it.”
“Quench Gallery is run by artists Lindsey Mendick and Guy Oliver. They have a gallery space but they’re also trying to build a community there, which I just find so inspiring. They’re currently running a summertime programme for young children and throughout the winter, they have coffee mornings aimed at older generations. They’re lottery-funded, meaning that they have to hold community events - a lot of galleries will shy away from it a bit, but Quench are really going for it, so that's really commendable. And in the gallery they're showing a really exciting programme of artists, they go beyond just ‘pretty paintings on a wall’ - they always transform the space which is great, they’re really challenging shows to put together, but they’re not afraid to support those kinds of artists. It’s always an exciting space to go to, not knowing what you’re going into when you go down the stairs, entering this new world every time.”
“An amazing concept: Shop Front is literally a window which you can look through to see some wonderful artwork. It really breaks down the literal barriers of having to cross a threshold in order to enjoy art, you can just walk past it on the street and still see some amazing artworks. It can take some people a lot of courage just to go into a gallery space, feeling that they might be asked questions or put on the spot. So it’s a really creative way of breaking down those barriers to make the space more readily accessible.”
“The exhibition Kavel Rafferty has on at the moment is part of the Margate Pride Art Map; she’s an artist herself, as well as a curator, so she’s keen to showcase ‘outsider’ artists, who might not be recognised within the ‘traditional’ fine art world. She did an amazing project recently with a group of anarchist crocheters, mostly women existing on the periphery who maybe haven’t been acknowledged as much as their male counterparts have been. So she’s a massive champion of female artists and the most amazing collaborator - she made me feel very, very welcome when I came to Margate, so it’s really important for me to promote her as a champion of women artists.”
“243luz are brand new - they only opened a few months ago and I just think that they’re presenting a totally different programme to anyone else in Margate. They’re a bit further out of town, so it’s further to walk, but it’s always worth it because the works they’re showing are just so challenging and interesting. You can always have a good chat when you go in there, which I think is important.”
Looking for an art-filled day out in Margate? Be sure to check the gowithYamo app for all the latest exhibitions, fairs and art shows!
Organically working her way up the art world, Louise Fitzjohn worked in esteemed galleries across London for over a decade. Then, in March 2021, she made the move out of London to found Margate’s Liminal Gallery, with the physical gallery opening in October 2022. Liminal is a space curated with the aim to “present an all-round snapshot of what is happening right now in contemporary art, showcasing artists at all stages of their careers” with a particular focus on female artists and artist mothers. With Margate standing out as one of the UK’s most vibrant, ever-growing art scenes, we took the opportunity to take a walk with Louise and visit her favourite galleries and art spaces that the town has to offer.
“They started out as an antique and ice cream shop, then in Easter 2023, Ben opened a gallery space too. He's mostly showing amazing local artists you might not have heard about before, so he's working a lot with a wide range of contemporary artists. He’s also bringing some more well-known artists based in Margate back here like Lily Mixe, who just had a solo show at Saatchi Gallery. So I think that he's doing some really interesting things but it's brand new. I feel like he's being quite open to interesting ideas and presentations while he's finding his feet.”
“The Lido Stores is run by Kristen Healy, the curator, and Elliot Marsh. Outside the main space, she has a shop supporting some local artists, sculptors and ceramicists. But then in the gallery she really focuses a lot on paintings, prints and drawings by artists from all over the country; there's lots to look at, lots of very eclectic little hidden gems. And then they have what I like to call the sugar cube at the back, which is this little box room where they’ll have a really interesting exhibition. They do open calls, which is a great way to support lots of artists, especially emerging artists, and give them a spotlight. I think that they're quite adventurous in their hanging because it is a small space, it's always interesting to see how they approach it.”
“Quench Gallery is run by artists Lindsey Mendick and Guy Oliver. They have a gallery space but they’re also trying to build a community there, which I just find so inspiring. They’re currently running a summertime programme for young children and throughout the winter, they have coffee mornings aimed at older generations. They’re lottery-funded, meaning that they have to hold community events - a lot of galleries will shy away from it a bit, but Quench are really going for it, so that's really commendable. And in the gallery they're showing a really exciting programme of artists, they go beyond just ‘pretty paintings on a wall’ - they always transform the space which is great, they’re really challenging shows to put together, but they’re not afraid to support those kinds of artists. It’s always an exciting space to go to, not knowing what you’re going into when you go down the stairs, entering this new world every time.”
“An amazing concept: Shop Front is literally a window which you can look through to see some wonderful artwork. It really breaks down the literal barriers of having to cross a threshold in order to enjoy art, you can just walk past it on the street and still see some amazing artworks. It can take some people a lot of courage just to go into a gallery space, feeling that they might be asked questions or put on the spot. So it’s a really creative way of breaking down those barriers to make the space more readily accessible.”
“The exhibition Kavel Rafferty has on at the moment is part of the Margate Pride Art Map; she’s an artist herself, as well as a curator, so she’s keen to showcase ‘outsider’ artists, who might not be recognised within the ‘traditional’ fine art world. She did an amazing project recently with a group of anarchist crocheters, mostly women existing on the periphery who maybe haven’t been acknowledged as much as their male counterparts have been. So she’s a massive champion of female artists and the most amazing collaborator - she made me feel very, very welcome when I came to Margate, so it’s really important for me to promote her as a champion of women artists.”
“243luz are brand new - they only opened a few months ago and I just think that they’re presenting a totally different programme to anyone else in Margate. They’re a bit further out of town, so it’s further to walk, but it’s always worth it because the works they’re showing are just so challenging and interesting. You can always have a good chat when you go in there, which I think is important.”
Looking for an art-filled day out in Margate? Be sure to check the gowithYamo app for all the latest exhibitions, fairs and art shows!
Organically working her way up the art world, Louise Fitzjohn worked in esteemed galleries across London for over a decade. Then, in March 2021, she made the move out of London to found Margate’s Liminal Gallery, with the physical gallery opening in October 2022. Liminal is a space curated with the aim to “present an all-round snapshot of what is happening right now in contemporary art, showcasing artists at all stages of their careers” with a particular focus on female artists and artist mothers. With Margate standing out as one of the UK’s most vibrant, ever-growing art scenes, we took the opportunity to take a walk with Louise and visit her favourite galleries and art spaces that the town has to offer.
“They started out as an antique and ice cream shop, then in Easter 2023, Ben opened a gallery space too. He's mostly showing amazing local artists you might not have heard about before, so he's working a lot with a wide range of contemporary artists. He’s also bringing some more well-known artists based in Margate back here like Lily Mixe, who just had a solo show at Saatchi Gallery. So I think that he's doing some really interesting things but it's brand new. I feel like he's being quite open to interesting ideas and presentations while he's finding his feet.”
“The Lido Stores is run by Kristen Healy, the curator, and Elliot Marsh. Outside the main space, she has a shop supporting some local artists, sculptors and ceramicists. But then in the gallery she really focuses a lot on paintings, prints and drawings by artists from all over the country; there's lots to look at, lots of very eclectic little hidden gems. And then they have what I like to call the sugar cube at the back, which is this little box room where they’ll have a really interesting exhibition. They do open calls, which is a great way to support lots of artists, especially emerging artists, and give them a spotlight. I think that they're quite adventurous in their hanging because it is a small space, it's always interesting to see how they approach it.”
“Quench Gallery is run by artists Lindsey Mendick and Guy Oliver. They have a gallery space but they’re also trying to build a community there, which I just find so inspiring. They’re currently running a summertime programme for young children and throughout the winter, they have coffee mornings aimed at older generations. They’re lottery-funded, meaning that they have to hold community events - a lot of galleries will shy away from it a bit, but Quench are really going for it, so that's really commendable. And in the gallery they're showing a really exciting programme of artists, they go beyond just ‘pretty paintings on a wall’ - they always transform the space which is great, they’re really challenging shows to put together, but they’re not afraid to support those kinds of artists. It’s always an exciting space to go to, not knowing what you’re going into when you go down the stairs, entering this new world every time.”
“An amazing concept: Shop Front is literally a window which you can look through to see some wonderful artwork. It really breaks down the literal barriers of having to cross a threshold in order to enjoy art, you can just walk past it on the street and still see some amazing artworks. It can take some people a lot of courage just to go into a gallery space, feeling that they might be asked questions or put on the spot. So it’s a really creative way of breaking down those barriers to make the space more readily accessible.”
“The exhibition Kavel Rafferty has on at the moment is part of the Margate Pride Art Map; she’s an artist herself, as well as a curator, so she’s keen to showcase ‘outsider’ artists, who might not be recognised within the ‘traditional’ fine art world. She did an amazing project recently with a group of anarchist crocheters, mostly women existing on the periphery who maybe haven’t been acknowledged as much as their male counterparts have been. So she’s a massive champion of female artists and the most amazing collaborator - she made me feel very, very welcome when I came to Margate, so it’s really important for me to promote her as a champion of women artists.”
“243luz are brand new - they only opened a few months ago and I just think that they’re presenting a totally different programme to anyone else in Margate. They’re a bit further out of town, so it’s further to walk, but it’s always worth it because the works they’re showing are just so challenging and interesting. You can always have a good chat when you go in there, which I think is important.”
Looking for an art-filled day out in Margate? Be sure to check the gowithYamo app for all the latest exhibitions, fairs and art shows!
Organically working her way up the art world, Louise Fitzjohn worked in esteemed galleries across London for over a decade. Then, in March 2021, she made the move out of London to found Margate’s Liminal Gallery, with the physical gallery opening in October 2022. Liminal is a space curated with the aim to “present an all-round snapshot of what is happening right now in contemporary art, showcasing artists at all stages of their careers” with a particular focus on female artists and artist mothers. With Margate standing out as one of the UK’s most vibrant, ever-growing art scenes, we took the opportunity to take a walk with Louise and visit her favourite galleries and art spaces that the town has to offer.
“They started out as an antique and ice cream shop, then in Easter 2023, Ben opened a gallery space too. He's mostly showing amazing local artists you might not have heard about before, so he's working a lot with a wide range of contemporary artists. He’s also bringing some more well-known artists based in Margate back here like Lily Mixe, who just had a solo show at Saatchi Gallery. So I think that he's doing some really interesting things but it's brand new. I feel like he's being quite open to interesting ideas and presentations while he's finding his feet.”
“The Lido Stores is run by Kristen Healy, the curator, and Elliot Marsh. Outside the main space, she has a shop supporting some local artists, sculptors and ceramicists. But then in the gallery she really focuses a lot on paintings, prints and drawings by artists from all over the country; there's lots to look at, lots of very eclectic little hidden gems. And then they have what I like to call the sugar cube at the back, which is this little box room where they’ll have a really interesting exhibition. They do open calls, which is a great way to support lots of artists, especially emerging artists, and give them a spotlight. I think that they're quite adventurous in their hanging because it is a small space, it's always interesting to see how they approach it.”
“Quench Gallery is run by artists Lindsey Mendick and Guy Oliver. They have a gallery space but they’re also trying to build a community there, which I just find so inspiring. They’re currently running a summertime programme for young children and throughout the winter, they have coffee mornings aimed at older generations. They’re lottery-funded, meaning that they have to hold community events - a lot of galleries will shy away from it a bit, but Quench are really going for it, so that's really commendable. And in the gallery they're showing a really exciting programme of artists, they go beyond just ‘pretty paintings on a wall’ - they always transform the space which is great, they’re really challenging shows to put together, but they’re not afraid to support those kinds of artists. It’s always an exciting space to go to, not knowing what you’re going into when you go down the stairs, entering this new world every time.”
“An amazing concept: Shop Front is literally a window which you can look through to see some wonderful artwork. It really breaks down the literal barriers of having to cross a threshold in order to enjoy art, you can just walk past it on the street and still see some amazing artworks. It can take some people a lot of courage just to go into a gallery space, feeling that they might be asked questions or put on the spot. So it’s a really creative way of breaking down those barriers to make the space more readily accessible.”
“The exhibition Kavel Rafferty has on at the moment is part of the Margate Pride Art Map; she’s an artist herself, as well as a curator, so she’s keen to showcase ‘outsider’ artists, who might not be recognised within the ‘traditional’ fine art world. She did an amazing project recently with a group of anarchist crocheters, mostly women existing on the periphery who maybe haven’t been acknowledged as much as their male counterparts have been. So she’s a massive champion of female artists and the most amazing collaborator - she made me feel very, very welcome when I came to Margate, so it’s really important for me to promote her as a champion of women artists.”
“243luz are brand new - they only opened a few months ago and I just think that they’re presenting a totally different programme to anyone else in Margate. They’re a bit further out of town, so it’s further to walk, but it’s always worth it because the works they’re showing are just so challenging and interesting. You can always have a good chat when you go in there, which I think is important.”
Looking for an art-filled day out in Margate? Be sure to check the gowithYamo app for all the latest exhibitions, fairs and art shows!
Organically working her way up the art world, Louise Fitzjohn worked in esteemed galleries across London for over a decade. Then, in March 2021, she made the move out of London to found Margate’s Liminal Gallery, with the physical gallery opening in October 2022. Liminal is a space curated with the aim to “present an all-round snapshot of what is happening right now in contemporary art, showcasing artists at all stages of their careers” with a particular focus on female artists and artist mothers. With Margate standing out as one of the UK’s most vibrant, ever-growing art scenes, we took the opportunity to take a walk with Louise and visit her favourite galleries and art spaces that the town has to offer.
“They started out as an antique and ice cream shop, then in Easter 2023, Ben opened a gallery space too. He's mostly showing amazing local artists you might not have heard about before, so he's working a lot with a wide range of contemporary artists. He’s also bringing some more well-known artists based in Margate back here like Lily Mixe, who just had a solo show at Saatchi Gallery. So I think that he's doing some really interesting things but it's brand new. I feel like he's being quite open to interesting ideas and presentations while he's finding his feet.”
“The Lido Stores is run by Kristen Healy, the curator, and Elliot Marsh. Outside the main space, she has a shop supporting some local artists, sculptors and ceramicists. But then in the gallery she really focuses a lot on paintings, prints and drawings by artists from all over the country; there's lots to look at, lots of very eclectic little hidden gems. And then they have what I like to call the sugar cube at the back, which is this little box room where they’ll have a really interesting exhibition. They do open calls, which is a great way to support lots of artists, especially emerging artists, and give them a spotlight. I think that they're quite adventurous in their hanging because it is a small space, it's always interesting to see how they approach it.”
“Quench Gallery is run by artists Lindsey Mendick and Guy Oliver. They have a gallery space but they’re also trying to build a community there, which I just find so inspiring. They’re currently running a summertime programme for young children and throughout the winter, they have coffee mornings aimed at older generations. They’re lottery-funded, meaning that they have to hold community events - a lot of galleries will shy away from it a bit, but Quench are really going for it, so that's really commendable. And in the gallery they're showing a really exciting programme of artists, they go beyond just ‘pretty paintings on a wall’ - they always transform the space which is great, they’re really challenging shows to put together, but they’re not afraid to support those kinds of artists. It’s always an exciting space to go to, not knowing what you’re going into when you go down the stairs, entering this new world every time.”
“An amazing concept: Shop Front is literally a window which you can look through to see some wonderful artwork. It really breaks down the literal barriers of having to cross a threshold in order to enjoy art, you can just walk past it on the street and still see some amazing artworks. It can take some people a lot of courage just to go into a gallery space, feeling that they might be asked questions or put on the spot. So it’s a really creative way of breaking down those barriers to make the space more readily accessible.”
“The exhibition Kavel Rafferty has on at the moment is part of the Margate Pride Art Map; she’s an artist herself, as well as a curator, so she’s keen to showcase ‘outsider’ artists, who might not be recognised within the ‘traditional’ fine art world. She did an amazing project recently with a group of anarchist crocheters, mostly women existing on the periphery who maybe haven’t been acknowledged as much as their male counterparts have been. So she’s a massive champion of female artists and the most amazing collaborator - she made me feel very, very welcome when I came to Margate, so it’s really important for me to promote her as a champion of women artists.”
“243luz are brand new - they only opened a few months ago and I just think that they’re presenting a totally different programme to anyone else in Margate. They’re a bit further out of town, so it’s further to walk, but it’s always worth it because the works they’re showing are just so challenging and interesting. You can always have a good chat when you go in there, which I think is important.”
Looking for an art-filled day out in Margate? Be sure to check the gowithYamo app for all the latest exhibitions, fairs and art shows!
