Pembrokeshire artist’s dream comes true with opening of new gallery and studio

A new gallery offering  a relaxing spa like space for people to both appreciate and create art has opened in a Pembrokeshire seaside town.

The Rowan Tree Gallery opened last Friday, May 1 at 66 West Street, Fishguard.

The gallery and studio is the creation of Stephanie Rowan, one of the two artists who successfully set up Trove art café in the town in 2024.

Opening the gallery was Stephanie’s dream. (Image: Western Telegraph)

Now leaving the popular and vibrant Trove in the capable hands of friend and former business partner, Kathryn Kerr, Stephanie has set up her own place just down the road.

“My dream was always to have a quiet space where I could paint and run classes,” said Stephanie.

“Somewhere that had a quiet therapeutic feeling, like going for a spa experience but with art, and also a space where I can exhibit paintings and showcase local artists.”

Steph at work in her studio. (Image: Western Telegraph)

Stephanie’s new gallery does just that; On one side is a cosy studio space where she comes to paint and run art classes, enjoying the light from the enormous shop windows.

On the other side is a gallery space displaying Stephanie’s paintings of Pembrokeshire paintings, mythology and nature as well as cute driftwood sculpture and smaller paintings.

Stephanie in her new West Street gallery. (Image: Western Telegraph)

Stephanie has taken the shop space, which was formerly used for storage and turned it into a relaxing and tranquil space, washing the walls with plaster effect paint, creating light fittings out of driftwood and rope, upcycling second hand furniture and adorning the place with a plethora of plants and greenery.

As well as her own art, Stephanie is showcasing the work of other Pembrokeshire artists including ceramicist Helen Bowen, who will be running workshops in the studio, recycled bottle candles from Solunar West, silver jewellery from Rose Teleri, textile art from Naomi Fowler and oak and resin boards by Dylan Adams.

The gallery displays Stephanie’s work as well as showcasing other local artists. (Image: Western Telegraph)

She is also running art classes three times a week; a relaxing Mindful Monday art class every Monday evening, a tweens and teenagers’ class after school on Thursdays to include activities like clay sculpting, papier mache and mask making and an art journaling group on a Saturday morning.

“The response so far has been really great,” said Stephanie. “Classes have booked up really quickly and everybody has been so supportive. I was really touched at how positive everybody in the community has been about this.

A plethora of plant life makes the space tranquil. (Image: Western Telegraph)

“I feel like there is a creative vibe emerging in Fishguard. There’s lots of arts places opening up. Hopefully we can all help each other and boost the economy in the town.”

The Rowan Tree Gallery is open from 11am to 4pm from Wednesday to Friday as well as for the specific art classes mentioned above.

The cosy studio space. (Image: Western Telegraph)

Members of the public are welcome to come and visit the gallery during these times as well as ‘anytime the lights are on’ and Stephanie is there.

For more information see The Rowan Tree Gallery on Facebook or www.stephanierowanart.com.