Utopia: The Unexpected Gallery is based in the heart of Holt, near the north Norfolk coast. It is an independent gallery owned by husband and wife, Michael Slaney and Jac Scott. It’s not just another gallery - it is the 'Unexpected Gallery' in every way. Proudly not a white cube space, but one that juxtaposes curated antiques with contemporary art.
The gallery is filled with contemporary fine art created by founder Jac Scott. Jac's art practice is without creative boundaries. She paints original oils evocative of the local land and seascapes plus she draws black and white studies of Norfolk's wildlife and landscapes. These are available in the gallery as limited edition prints complemented by open edition prints featuring a single colour block. There are also original oil paintings of fruit, vegetables and fish adorning antique plates, creating small still life masterpieces to hang on your wall. Also made in-house is the Enigma Variations Collection, where unusual tiny antiques are displayed under glass domes adorned with vintage butterflies from unwanted museum collections. Plus there are greeting cards which are unusual and very collectable. Jac Scott's work is only available from Utopia - she is too busy creating for her own gallery to supply anyone else!
Utopia has a refined selection of artists-in-residence including: nationally renowned wildlife sculptor David Cooke who makes stunning animal sculptures from stoneware - suitable for inside or outside display as they are frost proof. Plus there is internationally acclaimed Christy Keeney, a ceramicist who creates charming figurative sculptures in his own unique style. Whilst local sculptors, Cindy Lee Wright and Shaun Pickering, make striking and engaging metal and wood sculptures of the local flora and fauna.
To enhance this dynamic offering, each month the gallery invites a guest artist to exhibit. With a strong emphasis on three-dimensional pieces, the monthly exhibition provides a refreshing themed show.
There's a great relaxed vibe in Utopia, where Gloria the levitating gull welcomes you before the friendly staff say hello. Customer service is obviously a priority - they never make you feel pressured or rushed. Jac's mission is to offer accessibly priced art, so it's not surprising that they have a very loyal following after ten years since inception. On most Saturdays you can usually see the artist herself working in the gallery and chatting to customers.
Artist Jac Scott is the founder of Utopia: The Unexpected Gallery and is a multi-award winning visual artist, a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors with an international exhibition portfolio. Scott's work is in private and corporate collections across the globe.