Forth Valley Open Studios
We have a date set for this event – 12-20th June and we will be following the format of Perthshire Open Studios.
In fact some of their committee members are providing invaluable support and advise.
We have now formally consituted ourselves at a meeting on Saturday- the enthusiasm is palpable.
It is as if we have all been waiting for something like this to happen to bring all the artists in the area together.
I am secretary and we have a growing data base of 71 artists wanting to participate in the event.
We started from scratch a couple of weeks ago. That’s when I made the discovery that no data base of artists living/working in the Forth Valley ( a huge area in the centre of Scoltand between Glasgow and Edinburgh) exists.
Oh yes galleries had their own private lists but they wre not about the business of sharing information.
Forth Valley Open Studios
Here’s a sign of the times reflecting on how work has changed:
I was talking on the phone to a printer about quotes for our brochure and she immediateley asked for our web-site . Had to say it was still under construction – we only registered the domain name this week.
There was a brief silence then she said:”Oh thats OK I have found it on Twitter.”
Public meeting to launch Forth Valley Open Studios a great success – due in no small measure from the help and support we got from Clackmannan Council- they provided a venue, poster, refreshments , team of volunteerss to help and their artist in residence Angela Beardsley chaired the meeting.
Over 50 people turned up and we are all set for next step: formation of committee and setting of tight deadlines for event – end of June.
Forth Valley Open Studios
This is like a snowball gathering speed all the time. I was warned this might happen.
We have another public meeting planned for this coming Thursday in Alloa, a town along the Ochils which has recently been given £2million ( yes £2million for regeneration and a chunk of that is going to the arts).
The place is buzzing. They have designed a poster for us complete with logo and are giving us the use of their new gallery space – a huge former discount store- for our meeting plus providing high tech equipment and refreshments.
Everyone I talk to supports the project 100 per cent. Local newspapers have given good coverage and we have another interview lined up for lunchtime today.
The question that puzzles me: why didn’t this happen before?
Tomorrow we have the first meeting of the Forth Valley Open Studios in Stirling.
This will test the water to see how much demand there is for artists in this area to form a collective/group to open studios to the public next year for either a weekend’or ( more ambitious) week.
Meanwhile, here’s some light relief.
Take time out from writing Christmas cards and view this e-card sent out by Glasgow School of Art.
Is this the way forward?
This card is colourful, lively, interactive and what’s more environmentally sound , oh yes and its free!
er….if the link doesn’t work try this: www.gsa.ac.uk/seasonsgreetings
