Home » Glasgow West End Local characters » Glasgow Local Characters: Gordon Wallace, Cabinet Maker, Artist and Volunteer with The Salvation Army at Partick Cross

Glasgow Local Characters: Gordon Wallace, Cabinet Maker, Artist and Volunteer with The Salvation Army at Partick Cross

The Salvation Army, 91 Dumbarton Road, Partick  Glasgow, G11 6PW

I often pop into The Salvation Army in Dumbarton Road, where I have picked up many a bargain, including on Wednesday this week a perfect AllSaints top. I also love a look in their window to see the antiques and collectables they’ve gathered for their special sales.(Next one 10 September, 2016)

This week the other window caught my eye and I was intrigued by the display of art work by Gordon Wallace. There was some information about Gordon in the window so I went back into the shop and had a chat with him.

Gordon Wallace

Gordon is a a very affable, easy going and talented man. He works as a volunteer in the Salvation Army Shop three days a week, where he puts his skills as a cabinet maker to good use.

Gordon explained how his life took a turn for the worse after he was made redundant from his job as a cabinet maker with the firm where he had been employed for over thirty years.  The only work he could find was casual zero hours contracts and like many others employed on this basis often he had no work at all.  Without funds to pay his mortgage he lost his home and ended up homeless.

Gordon sought assistance from The Salvation Army, Burnbank Gardens Lighthouse, where he received both shelter and advice.  With their help he managed to get his life back on track, found a flat of his own and he also began volunteering at The Salvation Army Shop in Dumbarton Road.

He’s proved himself to be a real asset putting his skills to very good use. He’s kept very busy repairing damaged furniture donated to the shop, much of which in the past would  have been scrapped.  He also enjoys the challenge of upcycling takes pleasure in giving ramshackle items a new lease of life.  Gordon’s delighted to be able to apply his skills effectively and express his gratitude for the help he received in a practical way.

He is also a talented artist and when we had a chat outside the shop he explained how he had tackled some of the art works on display in the window. His approach is to apply his highly developed technical drawing skills and spend time creating detailed drawings prior to painting his subjects.  These are very varied and include landscapes, acrylics, water colours and pencil drawn portraits.

If you would like an original piece of art to hang on your wall or give to someone as a gift then there’s plenty of choice at The Salvation Army Shop. He is also happy to take commissions. Gordon can be contacted by email

 Further information about Gordon Wallace on The Salvation Army Website

Pat Byrne, 2 September, 2016.

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