On Thursday evening, I spent a couple of hours at The Sculpture Gallery in the Corn Exchange, attending a wine-tasting event with a bit of a twist.
The gallery, which just celebrated its fourth birthday, is run by co-owners Pete Donnelly, David Iredale, Mandy Long, Steve Williams, Jay Gilleard and Drew Caines. Recently, they met Sue Scott of Terra Sara Wines, a venture that’s been steadily growing over the past year.
Terra Sara Wines (TSW) has grown out of restaurant and leading travel experiences in Sardinia into something more. After noticing just how much people enjoyed the wines during those trips, Sue now brings a taste of Sardinia back to the UK through curated tastings and events like this one.
What I particularly loved was how the collaboration came about. Steve, Mandy and Sue met at a women in business event back in January, and from that initial meeting, the idea of pairing sculpture with wine began. It’s one of those simple ideas that just works, bringing together two creative worlds in a way that seems natural.
The event began at 5.30pm, with a sparkling wine on arrival. The space had been slightly reworked for the evening, with sculptures moved to the side to make room for a beautifully set table where we would later sit for the tasting. It created a relaxed and comfortable setting, while still allowing space to move around and take in the artwork.
The start of the evening felt a little slow, and that’s understandable for a first event. There was a bit of a sense that everyone, hosts and guests alike, were finding their rhythm. That said, it gave people a chance to settle in, begin a conversation and take a closer look at the sculptures on display.
Once we took our seats, the evening began to flow more naturally. We were first introduced to a white wine, followed by a talk from Mandy about her sculpture work.
Hearing her speak about her process and inspiration was genuinely fascinating. There’s something about listening to an artist explain their work in their own words that made me appreciate it in a different way.
As the evening continued, we were guided through more wine – a rosé and another white – before hearing from Steve, who shared insights into his own sculptural practice.
Again, what stood out was the passion behind it. Both he and Mandy spoke with such openness and enthusiasm that we could really feel how much their work means to them.
We finished the tasting with two red wines, rounding off a really nice mix. Alongside the wines, there were nibbles throughout the evening, including a selection of five different cheeses paired with each of the wines we were drinking, and a bit of chocolate to finish, which always feels like a good idea.
I’ll admit, I’m by no means a wine expert, but I really enjoyed the experience. Each of the wines had something distinct about it, and it was interesting to hear Sue talk through them. One that stood out to me in particular was the rosé, which she described as tasting like a “feeling of place.” At first, I wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, but once I tried it, it oddly made perfect sense.
Beyond the wine and the art, one of the nicest parts of the evening was the atmosphere. The gallery itself is quite a small space, but that added to the experience. It felt friendly and easy to connect with the people around us. I found myself having some really lovely conversations with others attending. It was a really pleasant way to spend a spring evening: interesting without being at all demanding, and with plenty of time to take it all in.
Overall, it was a lovely event, thoughtfully curated . We could clearly see the passion from all three: Steve and Mandy for their art, and Sue for both Sardinia and the wines she was sharing.
The team at The Sculpture Gallery and Terra Sarda Wines are hoping to run more events like this in the future, and I think it’s a concept that really works.
A little more about the Sculpture Gallery
The Sculpture Gallery, based in the iconic Leeds Corn Exchange, is the UK’s only gallery led by – and for – 3D artists and totally dedicated to 3D work.
This collective of six sculptors – Pete Donnelly, David Iredale, Mandy Long, Steve Williams, Jay Gilleard and Drew Caines – showcase their own work, supplemented by guest artists on a monthly rotation. You can find out more about April’s guest artists’ exhibition here.
One of the City’s most iconic buildings, the Corn Exchange, is a popular destination for those seeking independent outlets.
The Sculpture Gallery
8 – 9 The Balcony, Leeds Corn Exchange
Call Lane, Leeds. LS1 7BR
