Bella bellissima!

Alba Bella on Allan Street in Blairgowrie certainly lives up to its name! 

The gallery and workshop venue is a haven of creativity and beautiful handcrafted items that showcases local artists’ work. 

A cooperative for artists, the gallery sells handmade jewellery and ceramics, most of which is made by the artists themselves. Visitors to the shop can also browse fair trade or sustainable scarves and jewellery that are available to purchase.

Alba Bella is the fulfilment of retired art teacher Clodagh Norton’s dream. Clodagh moved to Blairgowrie a few years ago and wanted to open a business that served the artist community in Perthshire’s largest town with an exhibition space. She also wanted to share the skills and experience she gained from many years of teaching with others, and the studio in Alba Bella does just that. 

Currently offering workshops in ceramics and pottery, there are plans to expand these into other areas of art and design as more artists join the team. Clodagh and the other artists involved also hope to run a children's art club in the future and provide creative opportunities for those with special needs.

Tracy Jackson, Claire Omand, Olivia van Hooft, Sabrin Millar and Suzanne Clements are the permanently exhibiting artists currently represented by Alba Bella, along with many other local artists.

Describing her vision for Alba Bella, Clodagh said: “Opening a gallery to showcase the wonderful contemporary art and handmade objects made by the highly skilled artisans of Scotland evolved when I retired to Blairgowrie. 

“Blairgowrie is a wonderful town with some really individual shops and businesses and huge potential to have a thriving and flourishing town centre, which we’re delighted to be part of. 

“As a retired teacher of art and design and a practicing artist myself, opening up creative opportunities in my community and offering a place to learn and share, to gather and experience the joy of making art yourself, is hugely important to me. 

“Alba Bella provides that space – a gallery for local artists and artisans to showcase and sell their work, work developed here in this beautiful land of Alba.”