Sarah Wiseman is the youngest gallery owner in the country, writes Katherine MacAlister. But the 25-year-old from Abingdon is certainly not letting her age stand in the way of success.

The Wiseman Gallery is her baby and she alone is taking the credit for tackling such a brave venture and making it work. "It was my idea. I was the one who went to the bank and persuaded them to lend me the money. I've got a small loan from my parents but everything's being paid back on repayment schemes," she said.

"The bank and leaseholder were easy to persuade - it's the general public who might have a problem with my age. But they soon realise I know what I'm talking about and trust my judgement. But I suppose my age has been a slight hindrance." It is Sarah who does the accounts, chooses the artists, mails the invitations to viewings, hangs the pictures and places the ceramics. It is also Sarah that banks the cheques, which are coming in thick and fast.

When you step inside the Wiseman Gallery, in South Parade, Summertown, it's easy to see why. It's a breath of fresh air. Gone are the intimidating staff, huge silences and outrageous price tags. Instead you are greeted by Sarah in the clean, white space she uses to show off up-and-coming local and contemporary artists to a new audience. She said: "I wanted to do something different, to help new artists get established and in turn allow first-time art buyers a better price tag."

Opening her own gallery was a dream she did not think would be realised until she was at least 30. But after taking A-levels at Larkmead Secondary School, she took a year out to study history of art at night school. She won a place at Manchester Metropolitan University to study art history before being taken on as a volunteer at Oxford's famous Ashmolean Museum, later finding work at the CCA gallery, in High Street, Oxford.

But the gallery closed and Sarah decided to take advantage of the situation.

"CCA wasn't interested in promoting Oxford art but I knew there was a market for it. There are so many up-and-coming artists but nowhere for them to exhibit. CCA closed to concentrate on its London branch so I started looking round for a suitable site to open my own gallery." Having trawled the city centre looking for suitable premises she came across a former travel agency in Summertown.

"I was attracted by the big windows, which let in a lot of natural light, the minimum work needed to convert it and the cheaper lease price. It's slightly off the beaten track but has got good parking.

"It was terribly frantic getting it ready in time and then suddenly it was opening night and the place was packed. It was such a surprise." She admits the first year has been a steep learning curve: "It's been hard, but it's the first year and to be expected. We have experimented with artists and styles to see what people want and now have a good idea. It is challenging knowing that the business relies on the artists you choose. But the most recent exhibition has gone better than I could have ever imagined.

"We have had lots of first-time buyers in here. We have works from £100 up to several thousand - something to suit every pocket. But we also have established collectors. "And if people are uncertain what they should be looking for, my advice is to stick with your instinct. If you really like a piece, go for it. Too many gallery owners try to influence their clients' taste."

Story date: Tuesday 06 April

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.