arts centre

Garry Porter was born in Scotland  and started painting in his late teens, initially as an integral part of a therapeutic course in support of his mental health and wellbeing.

Garry started drawing in pen and ink, while later, based in Edinburgh, he trained as a make-up artist for film and theatre. This led to a highly successful freelance career as a make-up artist.

When Garry moved to England, he studied a foundation art and design course at Stamford college. Here he developed life drawing skills and developed a passion for his use of oils and alternative materials.

Garry’s work on display demonstrates this. His use of plaster on board, gold leaf , french polish and layering, and fixing stone to produce a heavily textured composition epitomises his passion.

Further evolution of Garry’s work was in part driven by necessity and he started to make his own frames. This in turn led to Garry making other articles out of wood, stone and metal.

Garry has been creating frames for some of the exhibitors and most recently he created frames for Adam Cleaver's striking portraits.

Garry operates from the Centre, and the Centre is proud to have him as part of our creative community.