Work from some well known local artists and a rare opportunity to see and buy work by the late Eric Houlgrave make up the latest exhibition at the Centenary Centre in Peel, which opens on Wednesday 12 June and runs until Tuesday 9 July.
 
Sayle Gallery Artist Tony Kennan is exhibiting work inspired by the ‘oneness’ of life , alongside Claire Pullinger’s abstracts and Anita Falconer’s figurative paintings.  Both Deb Houlgrave’s work, and that of her late father Eric are retrospective, involving a variety of styles and media.
 
Eric Houlgrave was a major figure in the Isle of Man art world, teaching Norman Sayle at the Douglas School of Art in Kensington Road before Norman went to Goldsmiths College in London, and then worked with him at the Isle of Man College for the rest of their working lives.  Artists taught by Eric included the now internationally renowned sculptor – and Sayle Gallery patron -  Michael Sandle, and his teachings influenced the works of well-known local artists David Byrne, Nancy Corkish, Catherine James, Ian Coulson, Michael Starkey amongst others.
 
“It was important to us that visitors to the exhibition could meet and talk to the artists involved,” says organizer Deb Houlgrave, “so we will be open daily from Wednesday to Saturday, from 11am-4pm, and during events, when there will always be at least one of us in attendance.”
 
Northern Stars – and Eric is the latest collaboration between the Sayle Gallery in Douglas and the Centenary Centre in Peel, enabling residents and visitors to view, and buy, some of the highest quality art works produced in the Isle of Man.  Recent exhibitions have included work by Roland Noble, Brigid Stowell, Andrea Byrne and Rosi and Peter Robinson.

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