A Guide to Kaya Gallery on Plymouth's Barbican

If you are walking down Southside Street in the Barbican area, you will find Kaya Gallery at number 53 (PL1 2LA). Known locally as "The People's Gallery", it has been operating on the historic waterfront for over seven years. The gallery features a collection of contemporary and traditional original art, limited edition prints, framed works, and handcrafted items from South West creators, alongside pieces by national artists. It opens daily from Monday to Sunday, between 10:30am and 4:30pm, with accessible step-free access at the entrance.

Inside, the display covers a wide range of styles and media, from oil paintings to glass work, textiles, and local photography. A key highlight of the collection is the work of Brian Pollard, a prominent Plymouth naïve artist whose colourful scenes of local landmarks are well known across Devon and Cornwall. You can pick up prints featuring places like Smeaton's Tower, the Dolphin pub, and Home Park. Examples of available pieces include "The Guildhall" unframed print for £20, the "View of the Hoe" print for £70, and framed prints of Plymouth Argyle FC ranging from £70 to £130. Other artists represented on the walls include Simon Bennett, Jane Vaux, Jackie Gale, and David Gray, along with original glass art by Margaret Johnson.

Beside traditional wall art, the gallery stocks smaller handcrafted gift items. These include hand-painted ceramic baubles featuring Plymouth scenes like the Smeaton's Tower or Plymouth Gin motifs for £20 each, as well as quirky themed Pilgrim Badges, which cost £15 unframed (£28 for two) or £28 framed in box frames. People visiting often mention the welcoming and approachable atmosphere, noting that staff and owners like Norman Holmes or Chris Warne are on hand to offer helpful advice with framing options, handwritten dedications, or finding specific local prints. While some visitors note that the selection leans heavily toward prints rather than large originals, the gallery regularly rotates its stock and hosts local exhibitions throughout the year, making it a handy spot to drop into when searching for local art gifts.