47th XMAS SHOW
sad to report its absence this year (2023), due to heating problems at “The First”
the most unusual gallery in the South (BBC South)
“The First”
1 Burnham Chase, Bitterne,
Southampton SO18 5DG
+44 (0)23 8046 2723 e-mail
Where We Are (map) zoomable version
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The First’s Xmas Show usually features some two dozen makers who exhibit widely but sparsely, some well-known, others obscure. All have that rarely-found extra spark of originality. Despite the proliferation of ‘Open Studios’, we maintain our fresh feel, with consistently high quality, springing from our policy of showing only what we ourselves would wish to own.
Money is not our prime motivation, but we don’t hide our prices,
We always feature people we’ve not exhibited before
“The First” Gallery is part of an ordinary suburban house in Bitterne, where the Clarke family have, for many years, provided a venue for good but often little-known artists and craftspeople to show and sell their wares. They also have an important role in promoting the work of a previous generation of local artists and in keeping their memories alive. The late Leo Stable, the founder of the John Hansard Gallery [then on Southampton University Campus] was an associate, and the City Art Gallery maintains close links. Lots of people have never heard of “The First” Gallery; many others have made a mental note to come and have a look. If you’re among them, there’s no time like the present: if mutually convenient, it can be open specially for you at the drop of a phone-call. You may be glad of directions. While it is tucked away, it’s well worth finding! Back to Gallery home page… Back to top…
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