The Hoxa Tapestry Gallery is home to Orkney artist Leila Thomson’s unique, large, hand woven tapestries which are inspired by the rhythm of life and landscape of Orkney. The gallery was built by Leila and husband Benny and opened to the public in June 1996. Now over 20 years later visitors are still coming from all over the world. Leila has tapestries in private collections worldwide but stopped taking on commissions in 2010 in order to complete her waiting list. Now for the first time in 20 years Leila is free to produce pieces for sale in the gallery.

In 2011 Leila’s daughter Jo and son Andrew joined the family business. Jo is also an artist, graduating in Drawing and Painting from Edinburgh College of Art in 2010. As well as collaborating on rug designs with Leila, Jo has her own studio and exhibition space within the gallery. Andrew has taken over much of the gallery administration in addition to doing most of the framing, which frees up more creative time for Leila and Jo. When he gets time Andrew also makes rugs and provides multiple cups of tea and coffee to help keep the creative juices flowing!