THE Laura Wall Gallery in Teignmouth’s Arts Quarter won the highly coveted ‘National Art Retailer of the Year 2022’ at the prestigious Fine Art Trade Guild Awards this weekend.

The award ceremony was based in Stratford Upon Avon and recognises art retailers, framers and artists from around the UK, awarding only the best of the best with awards in their field.

The Laura Wall Gallery, along with other competitors from around the UK, was judged by a panel of experts from the Fine Art Trade Guild.

‘The judges looked at every aspect of our business, from our growth over the last couple of years and business plans moving forward, to our approach to Covid and how we overcame obstacles during that time,’ says Laura Wall from the gallery.

Jo Palmer, Master of the Guild at the awards ceremony, said: ‘We have followed Laura’s career with much interest since her win as our ‘Up and Coming Artist’ awarded in 2013.

‘Our Guild is absolutely delighted to recognise the hard work and dedication Laura and Dave have shown to growing their business and their brand.

‘Teignmouth is very lucky to have them within the Arts Quarter, and the Guild is proud to have Laura as one of our Guild members.’

The Fine Art Trade Guild was founded in 1910 and is the trade association for the art and framing industry. Members encompassing art galleries, printers, publishers, industry suppliers, framers and artists, agree to abide by its Code of Ethics. In order to be a member of the Guild the gallery must be elected by the Court.

If you see the stamp of the Fine Art Trade Guild on a print or in a gallery this means you are buying a certain quality of art which follows the Fine Art Trade Guild’s industry high standards.

Laura runs her gallery with her husband, Dave Butt.

Their gallery features Laura’s own work; intricate and jolly pen and watercolour limited edition artworks of Teignmouth and Devon along with other gifts and products, most of which are made in the UK and right here in the Southwest.

Laura and Dave first owned a small gallery in Teignmouth in 2015 on George Street, and moved to their much larger gallery on Northumberland Place in 2019. Since then they have won Devon’s Best Art Gallery 3 times in the Muddy Stiletto awards, and made it to the finals of National Art Retailer in 2019 but the award eluded them until now.

‘We knew we had made the finals this year, which we were absolutely thrilled about, but we did not find out until the night that we had won.

‘We were up against tough competition including Hepplestone Fine Art in Heskin, near Bolton, and Harrison Lord Gallery in Bridghouse, near Huddersfield. When they called our name we were completely blown away!’ says Dave Butt.

In 2013 Laura won Best Up and Coming Artist in the same awards.

‘This really kick started my career in the art world, so to win National Art Retailer nine years later for my very own gallery really is the icing on the cake,’ says Laura.

‘It is incredible to be acknowledged for our work by the professionals in our field, it really does mean the world and something we have worked towards for years.

‘We want to thank our customers for their loyalty and support, especially over the last couple of years.

‘Not all independent galleries made it through to the other side, but because of the phenomenal support of our customers we have come out stronger.

‘What an amazing town we live in!’