The
Drawing
Board
More than a gallery – it’s a movement.
Supporting Grass Roots Art in Wrexham.
Based in a prominent position on Lord Street in the centre of town is The Drawing Board, a grassroots arts hub that’s supporting over 200 artists from Wrexham and nearby.
The arts hub that’s as much about community as it is about creativity
Origins and history
What began as a vision in a derelict building 5 years ago has now blossomed into a vibrant network of artist studios and a beautifully stocked art gallery—all thanks to the determination, passion, and relentless hard work of three directors and a dedicated team of 10 volunteers.
We were invited to meet the founders, and get to know how they make it all happen for hundreds of talented artists across Wrexham - including support for very own Rachel West, The Art Bunny also featured here on Visit Wrexham.
The Journey
Their journey hasn’t been easy. When lockdown hit, many would’ve shuttered for good. But not here. Instead, the team used the time to build—literally. They transformed the space, handling everything from carpentry to painting, leaving only plastering and electrical work to the professionals.
Today, the gallery is open five days a week (closed Wednesday and Sunday), with Wednesday traditionally being the quietest trading day in Wrexham—perfect for reflection and creation.
The team have created a beautiful space to display art, books and gifts and is always well worth a visit whenever you are in town.
Their Mission
It’s simple: to make art accessible to everyone. The Drawing Board operates a community gallery with an open-access policy. This means no hanging fees, no exclusivity. Artists set their own prices, and all standards are welcome. Exhibitions change quarterly, but the popular Wrexham Wonder Wall—a striking 7x7 display—changes monthly and is already well booked up a year in advance.
They champion local talent in every way: showcasing work from Coleg Cambria and Wrexham University students, hosting open exhibitions with no rules on subject matter, and supporting numerous other local art groups. It’s a true community gallery, built on inclusion and local pride.
The Team
At the core of the operation are three directors who roll up their sleeves every single week.
Among them is Margaret Forbes and Jacqui Blore, the creative admins who keeps the gears turning; Jacqui is also a multi-talented artist and musician who plays French horn in Wrexham Symphony Orchestra (WSO) and performs with Sirenian Singers; and Megan Gemmell, a photographer with eight years of experience capturing the town’s soul.
Call to Action
But keeping the lights on is a constant battle. Despite being a private rental with a landlord who’s supported them for years, the team operates without external funding aside from a couple of small grants from our local Community Council.
Like many grassroots organisations, they’re operating close to the edge—yet still giving so much.
So, what can Visit Wrexham do to help? We can help by amplifying their voice on social media, and we recommend adding The Drawing Board to the ever-growing Wrexham Art Trail, and finally we’d like to attract any local philanthropists who believe in local culture to get in touch with them, for potential funded sponsorships.
Future Plans
Collaboration is key—and the team is keen to work with any local organisation that values creativity as a catalyst for community growth and wellbeing.
And there’s more in the pipeline. In celebration of The Year of Wonder festival taking place throughout this year in Wrexham, the team is reimagining the famous “Wonder Quilt of Wrexham” with drop-in workshops creating modern inspired themes and patches – emulating the rich tapestry being commemorated.
Jacqui Blore has even launched Brand Wrecsam at the gallery, under her own copyright, further cementing their role as cultural storytellers. Jacqui Blore, in fact, is the official storyteller figure featured in the Welcome to Wrexham mural—created by Rachel West. This is fitting, given her deep ties to the town and her friendships with fellow artists Rachel West and Laura Evison, also another local artist featured here on Visit Wrexham.
The Drawing Board isn’t just an art gallery. It’s a movement. And with a little more help and support, it could become a text book example of just how towns can help keep art alive—one brushstroke, one painting, and one story at a time.