Last updated at 19:58, Thursday, 24 May 2012

The founder and owner of Cockermouth’s Castlegate Gallery has decided to sell the business after 25 years.

Chris Wadsworth

Chris Wadsworth opened the gallery 25 years ago.

She developed a thriving business and tourist attraction.

For its 25th anniversary, Chris has chosen work from 25 artists to exhibit and sell, all of which have personal significance for her and include some of her favourites.

It includes two paintings by Aspatria artist Sheila Fell and three by Workington artist Percy Kelly.

It will be Chris’s last exhibition before she sells to Chris and Steven Swallow, who live near Aspatria, so she can concentrate on writing.

Chris said: “If you had asked anybody in 1987 if this gallery would have lasted 25 years I would have given a disbelieving laugh.

“When I began I had my sights set on surviving the first year and I said if it lasted five years I would be overjoyed.”

She started by selling paintings and persuading people to exhibit.

Chris has recently split her time between writing and running the gallery. She is writing a sequel to her first book, Hercules and the Farmers Wife.

She said: “Something had to give. I have a London agent and publisher, I am under pressure to finish the next book and it is difficult to find a balance.

“It was a hard decision but it is an appropriate time for me to move on – to go out when I am winning.”

Chris hopes that Steven and Chris, who approached her earlier in the year about buying the gallery, can build on her success.

She added: “I feel I have left it in safe hands and wish them great success as they take it forward.”

One of Chris’s most prized possessions is a Sheila Fell painting, Cumberland, that hangs in the Georgian kitchen at the gallery.

It has hung there for 20 years and was submitted to the Royal Academy when LS Lowry advised Chris to apply for membership.

However, she has now decided to put it up for sale, but only if the price is right.

The exhibition, 25 for 25, will run from June 1 to July 9 on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays between 10.30am and 5pm.

First published at 19:22, Thursday, 24 May 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk