ARTISTS behind a new pop-up gallery in Weymouth are urging residents to take advantage of the hand-crafted Christmas gift opportunities available.

Thanks to the generosity of the owners of the old Brewer’s Quay building, 16 local artists have created a pop-up gallery featuring original art in Hope Square.

The Artwey Gallery will remain in place until next January and visitors are welcome to browse among the hand-crafted goods including coasters, hand-felted gifts, ceramics, textile art, artists’ cards, limited edition prints, original paintings in oils, watercolour and acrylics.

Visitors can also admire the historic brewery steam engine – still in working order.

Artwey spokesman Angela Goodman said: “With no arts centre and very little available gallery space, there are very few suitable, affordable spaces in Weymouth for visual artists to exhibit their work.

“This is a great opportunity for us to show what we do and to demonstrate to the public that art can and does flourish in the borough.

“We can’t afford to take on a permanent space, either in Brewer’s Quay or in one of the empty town centre shops, because for groups like ours, business rates and other costs are not affordable in the long term.

“But if you visit us before we close, you’ll be sure to enjoy a visual feast and even find that unusual and beautiful Christmas gift.”

The gallery will be open daily from 11am until 4.30pm – closing at 4pm on Sundays – until Saturday, December 22.