Explore Independent Cambridge: The Darryl Nantais Gallery

With the help of Independent Cambridge - the community of ‘real’ Cambridge - Cambridge Network continues its weekly exploration of the best independent shops, cafés, restaurants, people, businesses, venues and events in Cambridge and the surrounding area. This week: The Darryl Nantais Gallery.

Art galleries can be intimidating places, stark white walls displaying meticulously-mounted paintings, floorboards that creak unforgivingly, and sombre-looking staff. Not so at The Darryl Nantais Gallery on Linton’s chocolate box High Street. Here, the welcome is warm, proprietor Karl Backhurst likening his gallery to a sitting room, albeit one resplendent with wondrous watercolours, atmospheric oil paintings and distinctive jewellery, sourced from local, national and international artists.

Karl, an avid art collector and self-taught painter, who worked in investment before becoming a stay-at-home-dad, launched the gallery – named after friend and artist Darryl - in 2001. Choosing art inspired by his ‘love of colour, texture and expression’, Karl exhibits a diverse portfolio, including Magdalena Morey’s vibrant evocative paintings, Brian Seymour’s wild and windswept landscapes, Ophelia Redpath’s whimsical pieces and Katie Lynn’s quirky ‘Molten Wonky’ fused glass gifts.

Showcasing the gallery’s talent to a wider audience, Karl, wife Trina, and their equally-artistic daughter and son, regularly exhibit at the country’s best art fairs. This year, the team launched a ‘travelling name’ for the gallery, Linton59, a contemporary, memorable moniker to attract new interest. Aside from displaying desirable art, Karl offers a framing and restoring service, breathing new life into neglected treasures, from paintings to pianos!

Opening times: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 3pm & Saturday 10am to 4pm

The Darryl Nantais Gallery
59 High Street
Linton
Cambridge, CB21 4HS
Telephone 01223 891289
www.nantais-gallery.co.uk

Discover unique boutiques and boutique hotels mingled with communities of artists and craftspeople. Sample an award-winning restaurant or thriving little café tucked away in a back street – all easy to locate via the comprehensive Independent Cambridge directory.  It features hundreds of local traders, artists, makers, producers, venues and events – all of which play a part in the real life of the city and local area. Run by long-term residents with a true passion for all things indie, the site is packed with valuable insider knowledge of the local scene. And whoever you are - resident or visitor; whatever you search for, read about and choose to visit, you can be sure it’s independent!



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