Just over a year ago, Pretty Neat Gallery & Studio opened its doors in Brighton Marina.

The first year of any small business is a challenge, and opening a gallery and creative studio in the current economic climate has certainly been a learning experience. There always seems to be another job to do, another system to learn, or another event to organise. Most of the time, it feels as though you’re slightly behind.

Yet somehow, a year has passed and we’re still here in Brighton Marina.

One of the biggest highlights has been meeting and working alongside so many talented artists and makers. Over the past year we’ve had the privilege of showcasing work from people with incredible skills, unique stories and loyal supporters of their own. It has been wonderful to watch visitors discover new artists, fall in love with particular pieces, and sometimes return again and again to see what is new.

While the artwork, gifts and workshops are important, the real heart of Pretty Neat has been the people. Seeing familiar faces return, hearing life updates from regular visitors, celebrating birthdays, retirements and special occasions, and watching people discover creativity they didn’t know they had has been incredibly rewarding.

Behind the scenes, it has often felt as though there is always one more thing to learn and another task waiting to be tackled. Running a small business means wearing many hats, and there are days when it feels impossible to be completely caught up. Thankfully, that isn’t what visitors seem to notice.

Instead, the comments we hear most often are about how welcoming the gallery feels, how much people enjoyed a workshop, or how calm and relaxing the space is. Hearing that someone had a wonderful time in a class, found a special gift, or simply enjoyed spending time in the gallery makes all the hard work worthwhile.

As we begin our second year, we are looking forward to welcoming even more artists, makers, workshop participants and visitors through the door. There are new exhibitions, fresh workshop ideas and exciting plans ahead, but the aim remains the same as it was on day one: to create a friendly, inspiring space where people can discover art, creativity and handmade treasures.

To everyone who has visited, exhibited, taught, purchased, attended a workshop, shared a recommendation or supported Pretty Neat Gallery & Studio during its first year — thank you. You have helped make this little creative venture what it is today.

Here’s to year two.