The Discerning Palette Art Gallery Public Opening
10am-4pm, The Discerning Palette, 55 High Street, Thornbury BS35 2AP
After six years selling art online to customers around the world, The Discerning Palette is opening the doors to its first physical gallery at 55 High Street, Thornbury, with a public opening on Saturday 3 October from 10am–4pm.
Founded with the aim of making buying and appreciating art feel less intimidating, The Discerning Palette has grown from an online gallery into an international art business, with paintings finding homes across the UK and around the world.
Now, for the first time, its collection can also be enjoyed in person.
The new Thornbury gallery will give customers the opportunity to see paintings before they buy, but it has also been designed as somewhere people can simply come in, enjoy the art and be inspired.
From an online community to a physical one
Education has always been an important part of The Discerning Palette. Over the past six years, the gallery has built a large social media following by sharing not only the artworks it sells, but approachable educational content encouraging people to look at, talk about and develop their own opinions about art.
The new gallery will allow that conversation to happen face-to-face too.
Plans are underway for a programme of art workshops, talks and other creative events, giving people the opportunity to learn new skills, meet artists and explore art in a relaxed and informal environment.
“For six years we've been sending paintings off to homes all over the world, which is incredibly exciting, but there is something very different about standing in front of a painting and seeing it in real life,” says gallery owner and co-founder Saira Kalimuddin.
“I want people to feel they can wander in just because something in the window caught their eye. You don't have to know anything about art and you certainly don't have to be looking to buy something. You can just come in, have a look and hopefully leave feeling a little bit inspired.”
Putting down roots in Thornbury
Originally from Singapore, Saira now lives locally in Alveston with her husband and two children, making Thornbury a natural home for the next chapter of the business.
The Discerning Palette also hopes to play a part in strengthening Thornbury's growing reputation as a destination for art and creativity.
Rather than operating in isolation, the gallery is keen to work alongside the town's existing creative businesses and artists, including The Armstrong, Anne McAllister, picture framer and artist Rich Edwards at Surroundings, Thornbury Art Club, and others already contributing to Thornbury's arts community.
“There is already a brilliant creative community here and we don't see ourselves as coming in and trying to reinvent that,” says Saira. “We'd love to add to what's already happening and help make Thornbury somewhere people increasingly think of when they want to see, make or discover art.”
The gallery also plans to become involved with local organisations and initiatives including the Severn Vale Art Trail and U3A, with further collaborations, talks and events to be announced.
Art You Didn't Know You Needed
While the business is growing, the philosophy behind The Discerning Palette remains the same: art should be enjoyable rather than intimidating.
The gallery specialises in carefully sourced original artwork, with a particular love of vintage and mid-century pieces, alongside selected contemporary artists.
Visitors are encouraged to browse, ask questions, move closer to the paintings and discover what they respond to – whether they are experienced collectors, looking for their first original artwork or simply passing the window on Thornbury High Street.
The Discerning Palette's official public opening takes place on Saturday 3 October, from 10am–4pm at 55 High Street, Thornbury. Everyone is welcome.
Gallery details
The Discerning Palette, 55 High Street, Thornbury BS35 2AP
Public Opening: Saturday 3 October 2026, 10am–4pm
Regular opening hours: 10am–3pm, Monday–Saturday
Website: discerningpalette.com
Instagram: @discerningpalette
For more information, click the link below.
