THE art gallery is a feature of The Wharf which is much respected not just within the town community, but on a national scale, exhibiting work by local and international artists.

Since The Wharf Gallery opened in 1996 it has hosted major art exhibitions.

Artists, painters, photographers and sculptors from Germany, France, Holland, Spain, Finland, Greenland, Azerbaijan and the USA have contacted The Wharf to display their diverse styles and put forward their artistic points of view.

As well as individual artists, local schools, art societies and groups have featured in their programme. The Tavistock Group of Artists, Artists in Cornwall, The Nebula Group and Gwynngala have all mounted exciting and successful shows.

The gallery is supported and surrounded by many other interesting activities. West Devon Borough Council and Olympus Optical Limited have generously supported exhibitions by renowned British photographers such as David Bailey and Barry Lategan. Photojournalist Nick Danziger has also exhibited during the period of his TV series on Channel Four.

The Wharf Gallery has earned a high reputation for its leading edge exhibitions featuring artists such as Barrie Cook, attracting viewers all over the UK.

Ellie Hudson speaks to Chris Burchell who runs the art gallery at The Wharf.

What is your job title and what does the job entail?

I am the art director, organising, engaging and liaising with artists and setting our exhibitions programme, I also organise the reading and select poetry for display on The Wharf walls.

How long have you been doing this and had you done something similar before?

I have worked here for 20 years. I helped The Wharf stay open in 1995 — since then re-engaged by various managements like a little limpet! Before that I taught in Plymouth and before that in Kenya.

Are you an artist yourself?

Yes, I trained in fine arts then graphic design. I prefer to work in acrylics. I’m also a practicing artist/ photographer, cartoonist, poet and writer. My tutors at college called me a “dilettante”, but I prefer “Renaissance Man”.

I also design and build houses for myself or clients and I am very engaged in planning matters, particularly in protecting the landscapes of West Devon.

To exhibit do you have to be relatively local to Tavistock or are you interested in artists further afield?

Not necessarily but we prefer to showcase local artists. They may be amateurs, but show promise, commitment and professionalism. We also look for international artists, but these usually like to show in London! America, Azerbaijan, Germany, Finland.

What is the criteria to exhibit and how far ahead do you book?

I look for promise, commitment, integrity and creativity. No particular style or media. It is usual to book at least one year ahead.

On a personal level what is your favourite type of art?

Semi abstract — Rothko, Klimt, Bacon, Heron.

What’s the most outlandish exhibition you’ve shown?

A 20-minute TV installation of the tide going in and out in the Victualling Yard Plymouth! The trouble was, visitors kept switching the video off as they found it boring!

Art is a very personal thing, what one loves another hates. Is there a standard style that always does well?

No. We try to exhibit all styles of work. No one style sells better than another, though Landscapes of Dartmoor are a seasonal favourite.

When can people turn up to look around and is it free to do so?

Entry is free. We open at 10am. We have a useful gallery web page

Anything else we need to know about the art gallery?

We support schools exhibitions, usually in December. Also exhibitions supporting mental health issues.