Cultural Quarter

The Merchant City divides itself into two distinct halves. North of the Trongate is all elegant bars, restaurants and jewellers. South is more rough and ready, independent music shops nestling alongside traditional pubs in the streets around the Tron Theatre.

 

In true bohemian style, a generation of artists has made this area its own, moving into a network of galleries and studios and forming a cultural quarter which has been given the seal of approval by a Glasgow City Council redevelopment strategy. When people talk about the vigour of the Glasgow art scene, this is the crucible that makes it possible.

 

Not that this is immediately apparent. The galleries concerned are necessarily small – most just a single shop front – and some you can miss altogether if you fail to spot the sign on the door. This only adds to the air of adventure and discovery created by the artworks themselves.

 

 

 

The greatest concentration of galleries is in Parnie Street and King Street. Among them you'll find Art Exposure, which displays monthly selections of sculpture and painting from a roster of nearly 50 artists; the Glasgow Print Studio's Gallery III, reaping the benefits of over 30 years' experience and 300 artists; and 48 King Street which has become the home of Street Level Photoworks and others.

 

In neighbouring streets, you'll come across the Sharmanka Gallery and its mechanical sculptures; the Q Gallery and its gay-friendly programme; and Sorcha Dallas, a small gallery with a big reputation. There are many more besides in what is one of the fastest changing areas of the city.