Galleries
Watchet Galleries
Watchet boasts a unique history of being painted and photographed throughout history.
The artist Thomas Chidgey, born in 1845, painted coastal sailing ships from Watchet and some other ports, as well as maritime scenes. His work is of great historic interest – accurately recording vessels such as schooners, brigs and ketches at a time when there were no photographs.
James Date was a pioneer photographer who lived in Watchet and produced many photographs showing life in this area.
Lynda Cotton Gallery has been here in Watchet for 40 years and more recently Contains Art which had its gallery in a container on the east quayside now has new Galleries in East Quay.
Contains Art Gallery, East Quay, Watchet
Formerly known as Contains Art, the galleries began life in two bright blue shipping containers on Watchet’s quay. What started as a grassroots, artist-led space has grown into a key part of the exhibitions, events, cultural programming, and creative learning at East Quay — a bold and beautiful cultural centre on the West Somerset coast.
Contains Art CIO was established in 2012 as a not-for-profit social enterprise and became a charitable incorporated organisation in 2021. For six years, until October 2019, Contains Art was housed in three stacked shipping containers. Today, it runs the exhibition programme within the purpose-built contemporary galleries at East Quay — a landmark building that also includes studios, creative spaces, a café, shop, accommodation pods, and expansive sea views.
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In addition to the exhibitions, Contains Art organises a wide range of workshops, installations, and activities from Studio 10, the Creator Space, and the Courtyard. The site also features a fully equipped print studio and a small-scale paper mill, supporting both traditional and experimental forms of making.
East Quay is home to nine working artist and maker studios, and visitors are warmly encouraged to pop in and see the work when artists are in residence.
The gallery is open 10am–6pm, Monday to Sunday.
Learn more at www.eastquaywatchet.co.uk
Lynda Cotton Gallery, 46-47, Swain Street, Watchet, TA23 0AG
Due to the sudden passing of Mr Nick Cotton in December the gallery is at present closed. Please check the web site for updates. We will update this page when we receive direction from the present owner.
The Lynda Cotton Gallery opened its doors nearly forty years ago and has since hosted many varied and important exhibitions.
With clients from the UK, USA, Europe, South Africa it can genuinely claim an international reputation. The gallery consists of five individual showrooms, apart from both period and contemporary paintings, specialises in early country furniture from the 17th and 18th century.
Nick Cotton Fine Art continues to represent a number of contemporary artists and is also the home of the Hans Schwarz Studio Collection.
There is a particular emphasis on studio pottery from important potters, regularly including pieces by Bernard Leach and other members of the Leach dynasty.
Over the years, the gallery has worked with many public and private galleries and has contributed to numerous publications and a number of radio and television programmes.
A number of services are provided including restoration, conservation and valuations.