AN EXHIBITION marking the centenary of the Edwin Young art gallery in Salisbury opens on Saturday.

Young (1831-1913) has been described as a “gentle and quiet man” who bequeathed funds to the Salisbury Corporation to build an art gallery for the city.

He also left his collection of paintings, oils, watercolours and drawings to be exhibited in the new art space.

The gallery was built adjacent to the Carnegie Library in Chipper Lane, but in 1975 it moved with the newly built library to the old railway terminal in the Market Place.

In 1978, the John Creasey Museum joined the Young Collection at the library.

The collection includes over 2,000 John Creasey crime and thriller novels, along with a wide range of artefacts and a growing collection of contemporary art, which contrasts well with the Young Collection.

The Young Gallery is situated on the first floor of Salisbury Library and occupies three gallery spaces.

Each year about 20 visual arts exhibitions are held in the gallery that showcase the works of local artists, art societies and renowned British painters.

Young’s work is also exhibited throughout Wiltshire.

Both trusts have small endowments which allow them to collect art and pay for a part-time curator and the trusts have acquired significant artworks with the help of the Art Fund, the V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

As part of the celebrations to mark 100 years of Young’s generous gift to Salisbury there will be a special exhibition of his work in the gallery.

The Edwin Young, The Great Romantic, centenary exhibition runs from March 9 until April 20.

The galleries are open Monday 10am-7pm, Tuesday and Friday 9am-7pm, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 9am-5pm.