New Ashgate Gallery

General information

Originally established as the Ashgate Gallery in 19 South Street, Farnham in the early 1960s by Elizabeth Naydler, the gallery has been based in 17th century buildings in the Waggon Yard, Farnham since the mid 1970s. The Ashgate was established with a board of trustees who administered the profits from sales to create prizes and scholarships, and for the purchase of paintings and sculpture for local and national museums. It was the first provincial gallery to show artists with an international reputation as well as supporting local talent.

Elfriede Windsor took over as director of the Ashgate Gallery in 1974, after the retirement of its founder, Elizabeth Naydler. Elfriede closed the gallery for a year, refurbished it and reopened it as the New Ashgate Gallery. Elfriede Windsor retired in the 1990s and was succeeded by Susan Szabanowicz, Joanne Barber, Melissa Jarvis and Joanne McCarthy. The current director is Dr Outi Remes.

In 2004, the Gallery completed a quarter-million pound redevelopment by Paul Archer design. This created a superb, light and open space gallery for changing exhibitions. The architect designed venue is a demonstration of the Ashgate’s commitment to art and artists, visitors and the community.