Kingussie
An invite to Kingussie
Our lovely tutor Angus is exhibiting his work next month in Kingussie and we’re all invited to opening night.
He’s teamed up with Campbell Bryson (ex-GGS head of art) for the show, Lochs and Landscapes, at the Iona Gallery.
They’re promising a glass of wine (or a softie for the drivers) and some colourful paintings inspired by the Highlands.
It’s a great wee gallery, run by the Society of Badenoch and Strathspey Artists. If you’ve never been,, this is the perfect opportunity!
Launch night is on Friday July 7, from 7pm-9pm and the show runs until July 14.
Summer learning
Our counterparts in the Society of Badneoch and Strathspey Artists are holding a week of free art classes in the Iona Gallery in Kingussie.
Subjects on offer include acrylic and watercolour painting, felting and weaving. And there’s even a class teaching how to make “fauxidermy” – needle felting to make a fake animal head trophy.
Organisers are trying to get an idea of numbers interested so they can ensure that there is enough material and equipment to go round and spaces in some classes may be limited.
Best of all, it’s in the school holidays so if you’re babysitting or have some children to entertain, this could be a welcome addition to the schedule. But children must be accompanied by an adult.
The climax of the event is a big exhibition of all the work created during the week
Anyone looking for more information should contact: calypsoart@btinternet.com
Making a show of ourselves!
You cannot escape the Spey Art Group this month: we’ve got work in two prominent Highland galleries!
The main show is at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness, where you can see our epic exhibition, Consequences, for the second time. If you missed it in September last year, then this is a chance not to be missed.
And it’s on show throughout February so there’s really no excuse!
AND! You can also catch members’ work at the Iona Gallery in Kingussie this weekend (until Feb 5). Before Christmas we did a workshop on decorating masks – resulting in our famous group shot. Angus has arranged that these unique creations – and those done by some of his pupils at Grantown Grammar – are being exhibited for the Food on Film Festival.
This well-known event is celebrating its 10th year with lots of events and films over the weekend so making a trip down the valley is highly recommended.
An art group in disguise
M was for masks last night as we took up the challenge of decorating paper masks.
With some inspiration from the Day of the Dead-style sugar skulls, members used paint, pen and collage to make some weird and wonderful creations: Donald Trump even made an appearance.
Angus would like to get them all back to class at some point soon so that he can make a big display to go to the Iona Gallery for the Kingussie Food on Film Festival next year.
Metamorphosis at the Iona Gallery
Just a few more weeks of the summer break to go until art group meets again, but there’s still plenty of art shows going on.
One upcoming event is the Broderie Alba exhibition, Metamorphosis, at the Iona Gallery in Kingussie.
This group of embroiderers and textile artists comprises Lena Ferrier, May Garrigan, Ann Knox, Christine Macintyre, Jane MacTavish and Carolyn Smart.
These ladies all studied at Dundee and joined together as a group in 1996. They have had several successful exhibitions around Scotland, and despite diverging lives, they have all kept in touch.
This new exhibition has evolved over 18 months of collaborative work, rekindling their love of textiles, art, designand embroidery.
And, as a contrast to their work, the group has invited Rob Christie, of Caithness, to exhibit alongside them. Rob works with wood and produces large vessels and platters.
The show starts on August 17 and runs until August 24.
The group will also be holding a charity event, Cakes in the Garden, to coincide with the exhibition. This event, which supports the Teenage Cancer Trust, will be on Sunday August 21 from 2pm until dusk, at Glencairn, Old Glen Road, Newtonmore, PH20 1EB.
The Iona Gallery
Hope you’re all enjoying the summer.
Our counterparts at the Society of Badenoch and Strathspey Artists start their summer exhibition from July 30. This is always a very busy show and well worth a trip down the road to Kingussie. See the poster below for opening times. the preview is on July 29, from 7pm-9pm.
As usual the work will be on display in the Iona Gallery – a wonderful space to see artwork.
As an added bonus, local artist Dave Fallows, who is also a Highland Councillor, will be showing his work in the Small Gallery at the Iona.
Three reasons to venture down the valley this month
The Iona Gallery is a busy place this month with some new exhibitions starting, giving you three good reasons to visit.
1 – In the main gallery, there is a celebration of 25 years of the Quilters Guild. Below is a beautiful example of the type of work you can expect to see.
The quilts will be on display until April 30.
2 – The small gallery will feature paintings and mixed media work by local artist Pat Hughes.She is the first of the Society of Badenoch and Strathspey Artists to have their work hung in the gallery’s rolling programme of exhibits in this unique space. PAt’s work will be featured from April 4-9.
3 – Well-kent Grantown woman, Marie-Louise Napier, will show off another side to her creativity. Known best for her musical talents, Marie-Louise’s paintings will be on display from April 11-23.
Spey Art Group 