Meet the owners

Meet Ros

Independent contemporary gallery Byard Art has been showcasing innovative pieces that intrigue and enchant for 25 years. We mark the mighty milestone by chatting to owner Ros Cleevely

What inspired you to launch Byard Art in Cambridge?

I’ve always been in the gallery and museum world and when the opportunity arose, it seemed too good to miss! I love art, I love having art all around me in a contemporary gallery, and it’s very exciting to be able to find new young artists, give them opportunities and in turn show their work to Cambridge.

How were you involved in the art world prior to Byard Art?

I did an MA in Museum and Gallery Administration and my first job was in antiquities at the Fitzwilliam Museum, so at the other end of the spectrum. I worked on Modern Painters magazine and at Cambridge Contemporary Art before joining Juliet Bowmaker, who founded Byard Art. She moved it from Nottingham to a warehouse in Duxford, doing art fairs and special exhibitions. I found our first premises in Cambridge on St Mary’s Passage, and when Juliet left, I took over.

What do you love about running an art gallery in Cambridge?

It’s a great location because our customer base is half local residents and half tourists from literally all over the world. So, it’s really nice to be able to showcase artists to an international audience as well as locally.

How would you describe your offering at Byard Art?

I’d say it is accessible in terms of the quality of the work, the price range and variety, because we offer jewellery, crafts, ceramics and two-dimensional art. We try to appeal to as many people as we can and we’re a very friendly, welcoming and approachable team.

What genre of art tends to be most popular?

I think it depends on the occasion so some people may come in to buy jewellery for a loved one for birthdays or Christmas, whilst others will want 2D work for a wall space or a sculpture for a garden.

Having just celebrated your 25th anniversary, what’s been a highlight?

What stands out are the international art fairs because they’re great fun and I love travelling, plus it’s really nice to show our artists in different environments all over the world.

Where have the art fairs taken you to?

A consistent one has been New York, but we’ve also been to Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Amsterdam, Berlin, Milan, Stockholm. Showcasing the art is a really enjoyable part of the job.

As Christmas approaches, what festive delights can we add to our gift wish-list?

We have a treasure trove of handmade pieces, including Christmas decorations and cards, ceramics and crafts, across a spectrum of prices. We also have an under £550 wall, featuring paintings and prints. So, we have gifts to suit all tastes and budgets.

What do you love most about your job, Ros?

It’s so much fun. I love my staff, the customers, our artists; it’s just a nice blend of my favourite things and my favourite people. I get a real buzz selling too as it’s really nice to find the right home for the right piece of artwork.

Byard Art is at 14 King’s Parade, Cambridge, CB2 1SJ. Visit byardart.co.uk