High Peak Artists (HPA) was formed in 1998 Our original venue was the Pump Room in Buxton, now the Tourist Information Centre. The group was originally called High Peak Artists and Craft Workers Association and this was later shortened to High Peak Artists.
In March 2009 we moved to our current location of Pavilion Gardens. This was a purpose designed space for the group which was named ‘Gallery in the Gardens’. Since then, we have operated as a commercial gallery to sell the work of our members and promote arts in the local area with demonstrations and workshops.
We now have 43 members with a wide variety of 2D and 3D art available for sale. Many of our members are award winners in their field, some are authors, others teach their subject and offer workshops. Our members come from the High Peak, Leek & Macclesfield catchment areas. Members share the costs of rental and overheads and the manning of the gallery. The group is run by a small committee of members, elected each year at our AGM.
In addition to the main gallery, we operate the Art Café, an exhibition space above the restaurant & café. Here individual or small groups of members offer short term exhibitions of their work.
Each year in July we enter the Buxton Festival Fringe with a special 3-day event in the Octagon Hall at the Pavilion Gardens – ‘Art in the Octagon’ at which many members demonstrate their skills.
We keep the same opening hours as the main Pavilion Gardens building and we occupy part of the Retail Arcade area. There is always at least one artist running the gallery at any time, with more at busy times such as weekends, the Summer Festivals and Bank Holidays.
Membership of High Peak Artists
Regrettably we have now had to close our waiting list. This is due to the large volume of artists and makers already on our list and the shortage of spaces becoming available.
Please follow us on Facebook for news of future availability: www.facebook.com/HighPeakArtists