Found Gallery

From our early fledgling days to our established offering on Dunbar High Street, Found has been quite a journey.

In Found, I have found many things. The thrill of a great find still excites, but as I travel on, these are the finds I’ll remember and carry in my pocket to my next creative venture…

It all started with a vison, and the seed of an idea. Simon and I opened Found back in July 2011 after moving to Dunbar from London. We hadn’t planned to open a gallery, but always up for an adventure we called the number on a ‘to let’, sign one day and here we are! Fair to say, many thought we were mad. But we saw potential and began crafting our unique offering. Dunbar High Street has changed a lot! And 84 High Street has become the home of quirky hand made finds! Vision plus a large dose of energy and enthusiasm is a strong combination.

Connection! I’ve often described myself as the ‘jam in the sandwich’. As a curator I’m the link between artist and viewer. I hold space for people to engage and discover visually and watch this translate into emotional response. You can’t beat that moment when someone connects with an artwork, and it becomes something they treasure.

Teamwork makes the dream work! Found is anything but regular, and we all wear many hats. I love it for that. Together with my team of Founders, we’ve showcased thousands of artists, created hundreds of displays, sent what feels like a million parcels and survived a catastrophic flood. Send a five foot wire sculpture to America? Spray paint a fishing net silver? They don’t even bat an eyelid! It’s all in a day’s Founding. I couldn’t have done it without them. Thank you! You guys are the best!

‘You do not have to do things their way’.

These words are etched on a vintage mirror that now sits in my bedroom. It’s one of my favourite pieces that came home with me! Created by Andy of Vinegar and Brown Paper, it serves as a reminder and mantra to forge my own path. Creativity offers the freedom to explore, expand, contradict and evolve in our own unique way.

Community! Of artists, makers, locals, tourists, friends and followers. I’ve been overwhelmed by the support I’ve received on Dunbar High Street. We live in a great community where folk help out, step in, support and give you a laugh when required. I’ll miss the random chats about random things, the curious noses pressed to the window and passers-by smiling and giving you the thumbs up. Community is a special place.

It’s been fabulous fun! Challenging at times. Creatively inspiring and joyfully affirming. I’ve learned so much and loved (almost!) every minute!

Where to next? I’m ready to spread my wings, and Found is ready to fly!

It’s time for a new adventure! I’ll be channelling my energies into my creative movement practice. I qualified as a yoga teacher at the end of last year and am very excited to further my holistic practices.

With much gratitude for a wonderful chapter, I’ll sign off with one of my favourite quotes:

"To move, to breathe, to fly, to float, to gain all while you give, to roam the roads of lands remote, to travel is to live."

Hans Christian Anderson

À bientôt!

Amy, X