Welcome to Gallery 184

The Story Behind the Gallery

If you had told me at the beginning of this year that I would be taking on a premises and opening an art gallery, I would have told you that you were absolutely insane! Why on earth would I do such a thing?!

And yet, here we are!

Over the past five years, I have taken part in numerous open studio events and exhibitions across Sussex, and during that time I have noticed a significant shift in the way people buy art.

What was once a spontaneous "That's beautiful, I'm going to buy it!" has increasingly become "That's beautiful, I need to go home and think about it."

And understandably so. Buying original art is a personal decision, and often an investment. People want to be sure that the piece they choose is right for them, their home and their budget.

Something else I have noticed is just how surprised people are by the incredible wealth of artistic talent we have here in Sussex.

A wonderful example of this was the inaugural Ashdown Forest Open Studios, where 80 artists exhibited across 20 venues dotted around the Ashdown Forest. So many visitors commented on the sheer number of artists taking part, and the extraordinary quality and variety of the work on display.

It made me realise that, despite being surrounded by so much creativity, many people simply don't know what is on their doorstep.

And that is where the idea for Gallery 184 began to take shape.

A chance conversation led to me discovering that my favourite little shop on Uckfield High Street, which had been sitting empty for some time, was looking for a new tenant. The new landlords were hoping to find someone to bring the space back to life.

And so the brain cells started ticking!

What if I could turn this beautiful little shop into an art gallery? Somewhere that celebrates the extraordinary talent we have here in Sussex, while giving people the opportunity to discover and enjoy original artwork in a relaxed, welcoming environment?

Somewhere people could pop in for a browse, return for another look, chat about the work and perhaps find something they simply couldn't live without.

I have always loved galleries where the artwork has room to breathe, where each piece can be appreciated without competing with dozens of others for attention. I wanted to create a space that feels light, airy and inviting, rather than cluttered or intimidating.

And so, what started as a slightly crazy idea has somehow turned into a very real adventure!

Welcome to Gallery 184 — a little gallery with big ambitions, celebrating the extraordinary creativity of Sussex.