A GALLERY in Wilton that has been open for just three months is encouraging creativity and community spirit as it seeks to expand its offering.

Ground Gallery – which also has a café – launched in August at Unit 3, The Guild on King Street with an exhibition by artist Matthew Hayward.

Deanne Tremlett, 58, and James Selkirk, 43, who run the gallery, are exploring how they can use the space to inspire collaboration and promote local artists' work.

As well as proving a platform for artists to showcase their work, they hope to see it used as a workspace and location for lessons and classes.

Ground launched in the summer with its first exhibition (Image: Ground) Creative director Deanne said: “The words most associated with our plans are collaboration, experimentation and engagement.

“The idea is to work together to enjoy what we do and support each other in promoting what we do.

“The reaction has been really good. We’ve had lots of artists coming in saying, ‘can you have a look at my work?’.

“One of the main things I like about it is that two or three times a week we have artists come in to work in the space.

“That’s going to happen a lot more so when visitors come, they can see how the work is created.

“It’s difficult sometimes for artists to show people the effort that goes into their work and the time it takes to create things, so it’s important to communicate it to people.

“We’re giving the artists an outlet and allowing everyone else to come to the party.”

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The gallery says its vision is to seek out people's artistic passions – including music, spoken word, writing and comedy – and provide a platform for them to ‘shine’.

James, who runs the café, said: “The space is here to be used. If artists are looking for space to put on a class, we’re here for them.

“We want this to be used seven days a week for classes if possible – morning, evening and night.”

In November, Ground is featuring exhibitions from a range of artists including Dan and Vicky Bilton, Selena Evans, Sandra Hammer and Deanne herself.

The gallery can also arrange events at the site, which benefits from space for more than 100 people, plenty of on-site parking and a partnership with event caterers Weavers on the Wylye.

You can contact Ground gallery by emailing gallery@groundgallerywilton.co.uk or by visiting www.groundgallerywilton.co.uk.