On Friday 22nd April 2022, Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes MP, visited the The Dory Gallery in Llangollen and met with the owner, Suzanne Mathieson.
The Dory Gallery officially opened in June 2021 and is an independent creative and cultural space, which aims to showcase the best in contemporary art within the local area.
Suzanne and her late partner, Dory Ross, moved to Llangollen in 2017 and took over the empty building in Regent Street, which was initially built in 1840 as a school for the poor, extended in 1870 and again in 1996 when it became the Health Centre for Llangollen. However, in February 2020, Dory Ross passed away and Suzanne decided to officially open ‘The Dory Gallery’ in his memory, to showcase his work and other local artists including Edward Bell, who is famous for designing a number of David Bowie’s album covers.
Owner of The Dory Gallery, Suzanne Mathieson said:
“I feel very passionate about keeping the art gallery open, offering the local community access to contemporary artwork and invite everyone to come and experience this for free. I plan on hosting a variety of cultural events in this beautiful building, which will assist in keeping it sustainable.
“I am particularly keen on engaging with a younger audience, so will be partnering with Glyndwr University to support emerging artists at the beginning of their careers. I look forward to welcoming all!”
Commenting after the visit, Simon Baynes MP said:
“I was delighted to visit The Dory Gallery in Llangollen and to meet with Suzanne to see the brilliant exhibition space the gallery has to offer. I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dory Ross in 2020, but think that The Dory Gallery is a wonderful and fitting tribute to Dory and his paintings.
“I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Suzanne and would strongly recommend a visit to The Dory Gallery”.
