Many acclaimed artists and creatives have had their work displayed in Glasgow most famous art spaces, including the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), Tramway or Kelvingrove Art Gallery.

As we look to the next generation of creators to paint, sculpt and draw their way into our hearts, it is not always easy for emerging artists to find recognition in these absolute institutions of galleries and museums that colour Glasgow.  

One new gallery is looking to break out of that mould.  

Horsepower art gallery is nestled neatly in Glasgow’s East End of Haghill, just beyond Alexandra Parade, between two tenement buildings dating back to the early 1900s. The building is known throughout the community for its “Jesus Loves You” sign, settled as a permanent fixture above the door, so it was imperative that the sign remains in its permanent home.  

After many years of the building being run-down, it was acquired by locally based artists Sarah Palmer and Josh Wirz in September 2025. After many months of DIY renovation for Palmer and Wirz they opened Horsepower to the public in late November 2025.  

Palmer and Wirz also stressed the sustainability of the gallery, with much of the renovations for the space coming from reusing second-hand materials, including the walls, the flooring and the toilet. They wanted to make a space which wouldn’t be displacing any businesses or ventures already in the area, to give back to their community.

Owners credit their inspiration for the grassroots gallery to their love of art, but the reality of not having a creative space within walking distance to them locally; therefore, they produced Horsepower to be an independent art space for supporting Glasgow artists who are early on in their career. They focus on solo shows and exhibitions of different artists’ works but without restricting the space to a singular medium of art.  

Palmer said, “It’s a conscious decision; we want to have a varied programme and get a different crowd in depending on the show and feel some variety in the programme.” 

However, both Palmer and Wirz, as artists, agreed that they wouldn’t want to display their own art in Horsepower for fear that it would change or impact the vibe they are trying to create; it seems they don’t particularly want to be the centre of attention in their own gallery.

Palmer is a painter with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Wimbledon College of Art in 2014 and a Master of Fine Arts at Glasgow School of Art (GSA) in 2025. Her work has been shown in Glasgow galleries including Strange Field, New Glasgow Society and the Glue Factory.

Wirz, with a BA in Fine Art from the University of London and an MA in Fine Art from University College London, is a performance artist. His work focuses on the imaginative uses of live streaming technology along with the benefits that it can produce for sharing and accessing live art.

They shared a mission of using Horsepower to support emerging and early-career artists based in Glasgow; this has shown through the gallery’s exhibitions of artists such as Holly O’Brien, Finn Robinson, India Boxall and Chema, whose work was part of the inaugural exhibition.  

While Wirz and Palmer couldn’t possibly choose just one favourite presentation from Horsepower’s catalogue of exhibitions, they do say that their ‘East End Open’ would be near the top. A show consisting of 12 unique artists sharing the space to bring their creations to the public, it was particularly memorable to Palmer as it allowed them to imagine how many different ways the project could look due to the different submissions they received from artists wanting to be included.  

When they aren’t busy creating art or running Horsepower, both artists can be found attending other local art spaces and shows. The art scene in Glasgow is really all about connections; Wirz and Palmer feel like there isn’t too much competitiveness surrounding different not-for-profit galleries and grassroots spaces except occasionally when it comes to acquiring funding from the government. And while they try as best as possible to support as many other local galleries as they can, running Horsepower on top of their own art practice can definitely leave them feeling too tired to participate.

They joined as members of the Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN), which is a member-led support network which allows different organisations and artists to connect together to improve access and opportunity to the benefits of contemporary art. This network increases the movement of art in Scotland by showcasing what’s on in Scotland, job openings, and the latest news around the art scene.

Looking to the future, Palmer and Wirz are investing their energy into the local community with goals of events and exhibitions in which people can get involved, such as their upcoming event touching on sustainable consumption of meat, where we can expect to see people come together to share deer and view performances around this subject matter.  

While there has not been a date released for this community event yet, you can keep up to date with Horsepower Gallery on Instagram or through their website and see Horsepower’s latest exhibition ‘Test Tube’ by Ali Farrelly until the 4^th of October at 11 Aberfoyle Street, Haghill.