I can hardly believe Forth Valley Open Studios have come around again.
How things have changed!
We are now a registered C.I.C. (Community Interest Company).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_interest_company
Already it has resulted in a streamlining of our operations. We have a core of five officials (or directors to give us our official title) and we are working on establishing a support group (committee) around us.
We had a problem.
I remember one of my tutors at Glasgow School of Art telling me that every problem should be regarded as a challenge, an opportunity to do or try something new.
So it is with us this year.
Delta Studios, who hosted our exhibition for the previous two years, said they would be unable to accommodate us.
We had to find alternative premises, a place that could accommodate the work of around 80-100 artists, is free and we did not have to invigilate since all artists would be tied up with their own studios and therefore not available.
Oh yes and we had to do this in less than four months.
Anyone who has ever curated exhibitions will recognize the challenge we had given ourselves.
We approached the Smith Museum and gallery in Stirling more in hope than in any great expectation knowing how far in advance galleries and museums programme their events.
So we were delighted when the curator Elspeth King offered us space. Now the Changing Room gallery, Stirling only contemporary art centre is looking to see how they might accommodate us too.
So we will have two venues that fit all our criteria!
I suspect all this would not have happened if we had not become a C.I.C.
This week sees the closing date for all applications for this year Forth Valley Open Studios and we expect the final figure of participating studios to be over 80.
