Perthshire Open Studios

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.

2012-03-11T17:48:00.002Z

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT HAS APPLIED.

All applications will now be processed and will then go to our web designer who will create this year's Brochure and Website.

Before we publish the brochure an email will go out with a link to a PDF - this will be your chance to proof read your enty.

Thank you to all of you

Gill Hunt

Admin

FIVE DAY PANIC

2012-03-05T19:04:00.000Z

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SENT IN YOUR APPLICATION - YOU MAY IGNORE THIS EMAIL and go and have a cup of tea.

BUT IF YOU HAVEN'T NOW IS THE TIME TO PANIC

From tomorrow morning you only have FIVE DAYS LEFT to apply!

If you have any questions, problems (preferably only those to do with POS please!!!), or are a newbie to POS and would like to talk it through before you apply then please phone me Gillian Hunt on 01567820990 (not Tuesday, tomorrow, though), or email me on gill@westerlix.co.uk anytime . . .

The all important link to the application form is http://www.perthshireopenstudios.com/2012/bookingform2012.html

DON'T put it off because NOW is the time . . .

Gillian Hunt
POS Membership

2012-03-01T18:55:00.000Z

REMINDER and LICENSING UPDATE

URGENT AND VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION please read to the end.

Dear Artists and Crafts people of Perthshire

The 2012 Open Studio Event is open for membership right now. Our closing date is 10th March so there is still time to get your applications in.

Many of you have been concerned about TV and press reporting of a license fee for art events. Please ignore this!!. We have the categoric assurance from Perth and Kinross that NO LICENSE FEE WILL BE CHARGED this year. Other authorities bordering on the core of the event have also intimated that there is either NO CHARGE or only a token fee.

Participants whose venues are in Stirling are the worst affected and the committee is in consultation with Stirling and will absorb their token fee if it cannot be negotiated away.

Therefor there is no reason to think there will be extra costs associated with the event and absolutely no reason to delay your application to join the event any further.

Please get your applications in as soon as possible to make the event as positive and as exciting event as it has been in previous years.

The timing of the introduction of this legislation could not have come at a worse time for us but rest assured it will not affect the event in any way.

Kindest regards
Lynn
Chair
Perthshire Open Studios 2012

2012-02-25T10:55:00.002Z

A Message from our Chair

As many of you may know there is a huge issue brewing within the artistic community relating to the licensing of artistic premises for free events and the impact it may have on the Perthshire Open Studios 2012 event.

Perth& Kinross Council Arts Development Team have confirmed that all participants whose venue is in the Perth and Kinross District will not be required to pay any license fee at all for POS 2012. So you can relax and get your applications in as soon as possible.

For those participants whose venues are not within the Perth and Kinross District the Arts Development Team are enquiring and negotiating with the adjacent local authorities and this information is being updated daily. Please contact me directly - preferably by text or email at 07763 690 545 or lynnramsbottom@gmail.com for the most uptodate information. This only affects a very few of would be participants so please don't be put off joining the event by rumours and contact me directly for accurate information.

Participants within the Perth and Kinross District have the categoric assurance that there will be no license levied for the 2012 Perthshire Open Studios event, so please get your applications in as quickly as possible to make it the best Open Studio Event yet.

Lynn Ramsbottom
Chair
Perthshire Open Studios 2012.

Call to Artists 2012

2012-02-11T10:59:00.001Z

Entries are now open for Perthshire Open Studios 2012. The date for this year's event is from Saturday 1st to Sunday 9th Sept.

Entries are being accepted online, please visit the following link to the Online Application Form Application closing date is 10th March.

Please double check your entry as we may not be able to correct your errors.

Once the application form is complete please download and print off the terms and conditions form . . . this will need to be signed and posted along with your payment.

For assistance with the application and a check list please download the Applications Guide 2012.

If your application form has gone through successfully you will receive notification - please print this off and keep it for your records - you will need this later.

Conditions and payments are to be sent to :

Gill Hunt
(Membership Admin)
Wildgrass Studio
The Steading
Wester Lix
Killin
Perthshire
FK21 8RD

Any queries please check the Applications Guide 2012. or email bookings@perthshireopenstudios.com
or call Gill Hunt on 01567 820990 9.00-5.00 Monday to Friday
Gillian Hunt ARPS

Details of all entries and routes will be available at www.perthshireopenstudios.com

... also please join us on our Facebook Page - Facebook/Perthshireopenstudios

2011 Launch Event

2011-08-25T10:34:00.008+01:00

Our 2011 event was held at the Loch Leven Community Campus in Kinross yesterday eve and was extremely well attended by both member artists and visitors.

This year we asked artists from one route to display their work and this year it was the turn of those on the Turquoise route. We were treated to a varied range of local arts and crafts and the plan is that each year will be hosted by a different route.

A big thanks to all those that arranged the venue, the food and drink, and the artwork, and of course to all the visitors who came along and made it a great evening. Finally a special thanks to Lord and Lady Provost for their attendance and for saying a few words to get the event formerly under way.

Photos by our resident snapper for the eve Glenys Andrews

Good luck to you all for this years event.

Dave Hunt
POS Chair 2011

Official Launch Gathering

2011-08-18T08:58:00.000+01:00

Only a week to go to the official launch gathering at The Lochleven Community Centre in Kinross on Wednesday 24th August 2011.

The evening will start at 7pm with the formal opening soon after. The rest of the evening is planned to be relatively informal and is a great opportunity to meet fellow artists and their guests, and to celebrate our forth year !

Light refreshments will be available and artworks supplied by members from the Turquoise Route.

Myself and the committee are looking forward to welcoming as many artists and friends as can make it along, This is a great opportunity to put faces to the names and emails..

Directions.

For those who haven’t been to Loch Leven Campus before, traveling south on the M90 you can either exit at the Stirling/Milnathort sign, or go on to Junction 6.

If taking the Stirling exit turn left and follow signs for Milnathort, turn right at mini roundabout and continue towards Kinross for about two miles.
The Campus is a big blue building on the left hand side – turn left at traffic lights to parking.

If coming off at Junction 6, turn left signposted A922 Kinross/Milnathort. Almost immediately turn left into Springfield Road and continue until you reach the main road – you will be facing St Pauls church. Turn left to traffic lights – Campus on the right.

Other events.

On Saturday 20th us red routers are having an informal gathering at the new 'Big Shed' at Tombrek (venue 103), All welcome, please get in touch with Georga Crook from The Cartshed if you cancome along.

And finally there is our taster exhibition at The Barn, Blackruthven (venue 90) kicks off on Wed 31st, all work to be delivered on Monday 29th Aug. Contact Tom Morrison (venue 92) for more details.

More smaller events and news on our Facebook page.

Taster Exhibition

2011-08-08T09:54:00.001+01:00

As you are aware from the e-mail received from Dave Hunt we are organising a Taster Exhibition.

The exhibition will take place at The Barn Gallery, at the Bield at Blackruthven. This is located close to Perth on the Tibbermore Road 1/2mile west of the Huntingtower Junction with the A85 (Crieff Road) About 1 ½ miles from Dobbies.

The space we have been given is a substantial portion of the Barn Gallery. As the name suggests it is a barn but it has been fully converted into exhibition and conference use space with excellent light, freshly painted walls, picture hanging rail system, display plinths and a new concrete painted floor complete with underfloor heating.

The space has high walls and is ideally suited to the display of large items which some of us do not have space for within our own studios.

Full details of the Bield and its facilities can be found at www.bieldatblackruthven.org.uk .

The Arrangements

The main purpose of the exhibition is to showcase the work of our members and encourage visitors to take note of the work and help them in choosing which galleries they may decide to visit. Therefore the work should be typical of your work but also inspiring to the public.

You are invited to contribute 1 item of work preferably large. This work can be either wall hung or suitable for display on a plinth. There is no display case for jewellery.

The exhibition will be open to the public from 10 am – 5 pm daily from Wednesday 31st August through to Sunday 11th September.

Delivery of Exhibits:

Delivery must be made directly to the Bield at Blackruthven on Monday 29th August between 10 am and 2 pm.

Collection must be made from the Bield at Blackruthven on Monday 12th September between 10 am and 2 pm

Note: The Barn Gallery will be in use by a previous exhibition up until the Sunday therefore early delivery cannot be accepted. By the same token with an opening time of 10 am on the Wednesday late delivery equally cannot be accepted.

On delivery you will be asked to unpack your work and take all packaging materials away with you.

Items should be prepared ready to hang on the wall, preferably with "D" rings. If your item is to be placed on a plinth and requires a prop that prop must be provided.

INFORMATION CARD

Please provide an information card that will be placed adjacent to each piece of work. This card should be A5 size maximum and will contain your Name (Business Name), POS venue Number, Location, Title of Work, and Price.

Items sold will be subject to a commission charge of 20% of the sale price that will be retained by the Bield.

Whilst every effort will be made to ensure the safety and security of your items during the time they are at the Bield neither the Bield at Blackruthven nor Perthshire Open Studios can take responsibility for your items. Insurance of items is therefore your responsibility.

To round off this email and to allow George and myself an idea of what we have let ourselves in for, could I ask you to respond to this email at ashgroveperth@blueyonder.co.uk indicating :_

whether or not you propose to take part in the exhibition
an indication of the size of the exhibit you would be considering
wall hung or plinth?
We will not hold you to your responses but it would be very helpful to receive an indication asap and certainly before the 20th August.

Keep working hard for POS ,

All the best,

　
Tom Morrison　

Promoting your event 201

2011-08-07T11:41:00.001+01:00

Here are some ideas gathered from other artists/ makers/ research, to help you promote your event.

Talk to the other venues on your route to see how you can support each other: joint PR / joint or staggered private views / guiding visitors to each others’ venues/ sharing brochure distribution to local businesses.

Have the entrance to your studio clearly sign-posted from all directions and make sure your neighbours don’t object to signage.
Signs placed on roadside verges or pavements can be removed by the Roads Department.
Please remove your signs after the event.

Remember that many visitors expect to see an operational work space, rather than a hanging gallery – they can get that experience elsewhere. Visitors want to buy your ‘story’; to see your working environment, to see work in progress, to find out about you. Have sketchbooks available and be able to explain work processes.

If you are sharing a studio, make sure that the other artists or makers can describe your work on your behalf when you’re not there.

Do not undercut gallery prices. Negotiate with your gallery to show different styles of work and offer to direct visitors to the gallery and vice versa. “Artists & Illustrators” magazine advise that older or unframed pieces could be sold at a discount. Again, negotiate with your gallery. Otherwise, the only acceptable discount is the VAT amount.

Show work in the same style as the image in the brochure, otherwise audiences can be disappointed.

Offer other things for visitors to do, e.g. Look round your garden / refreshments/ have a go at making.

Prepare your marketing material in advance, e.g. clearly visible price lists, biography, artist’s statement, business cards and postcards. People like to get in touch after the event.

If you don’t use social media already, can somebody help you set up a blog or facebook page?. This is proving to be very effective for those taking the time to use them

For more advice on marketing and social media, go to www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk/website and click on ‘Information’.

_________________________________________________________________

FEEDBACK Information is vital if we are to continue to be able to apply for grant-aid in the future. Also, we need to know that we are spending your membership fees effectively.

Please ask every visitor to fill in their contact details on the prize draw forms provided, unless they have done this in another venue.
If you prefer to keep your own visitor comments book instead, please ask visitors to indicate if they wish to be entered in the prize draw and forward us their contact details.

Please record how many visitors you have each day.

You will be emailed a Member’s Evaluation survey - please return promptly after the event.

__________________________________________________________________

A few dates for your diary where you will get the chance to chat to other members :

POS launch event at Lochleven Community Centre, Kinross, Wednesday 24th Aug at 7pm.

Taster Exhibition at The Barn Gallery at The Bield at Blackruthven from Wed 31st Aug.

The Red Route are having a gathering for members and friends at The Big Shed, Tombreck nr Kenmore (venue 103) on Sat 20th Aug 6.30 - 9.30 pm - contact Georgia Crook at Cartshed Studio for more details.

... and finally, we are still making arrangements for a marketing day in October, free to all POS members. Details to follow very soon.

2011-07-19T23:14:00.001+01:00

July News
Hi all.

As many are aware the brochures have been printed and distributed to each route for collection so you should be contacted with details of where and when to collect. If you do not receive a note by email please let us know.

We have also had A4 posters, postcards, POS Signs and the Evaluation forms printed and these will be collated ready for distribution this coming Friday and the plan is to get these all out to the same collection venues as the brochures asap.

Also the brochure is available as a pdf download from the main site at www.perthshireopenstudios.com. Our designer Rosy Naylor is busy getting the website ready with this years entries so more on this later. Note that we now have a good number of folk using the facebook page (link on main site) so is you havn't already dropped in please do so, this is proving to be a great way for us all to keep up with others events.

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Other events.

A reminder that the formal opening of the event will be at Lochleven Community Centre, Kinross, Wednesday 24th August 2011. Turquoise Route will host display of work so if you wish to exhibit please get in touch with Carole Drummond (carole@cleish.com)

There will also be a Taster Exhibition at The Barn Gallery at Blackruthen from Wed 31st Aug thru to Sun 11th Sept which has been organised by Tom Morrison (Venue 92) and George at The Bield (Venue 90 ). All POS artists are invited to submit works for the exhibition and works are to be delivered earlier in the week - please contact Tom for further details - TKphotographer@ymail.com

Charlotte Flower from Kenmore (venue 109) is involved in a card sale in October to support The Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy - full details at the foot of this email - or please contact info@birkscinemafriends.org,uk

We know many of you will be arranging events so please drop a line with the details for inclusion in the next newsletters.

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and finally ....

We appreciate that this is rather short notice but we have been given the opportunity for a Marketing Workshop evening for all of this years members to be arranged by the Cultural Enterprise Office.

This is planned for Aug 11th and is open to all paid members of POS 2011. This will require a minimum number and we need to accept this offer this coming Friday so a quick response is needed. We are hoping that there will free but depending on numbers there may be a small cover charge of approx £10. This is a wonderful opportunity for us all so if you are interested please let us know asap so we can accept or decline the workshop - full details below.

Having Conversations Beyond Your Studio

Commissioned by Perthshire Open Studios for members

Are you chatting with your customers? Are you talking about open studios? Open studios provide an ideal opportunity to converse directly with your customers in your creative space. But how do you start and continue conversations before and after the event?

This evening event will discuss ways of communicating with your customers using traditional and new media to engage them with your work, open studio and beyond. It will explore the type and quantity of stories and information you can share through your networks.

Chaired by Fiona Pilgrim, Cultural Enterprise Office’s Professional Development Manager, you’ll hear guest speakers talk about their experiences of promoting their work as part of events, the time and money resources they dedicate to this and the methods they use, including social media, and their experiences of this. You will also get a chance to examine your own communication and identify what you want to be talking about and who with; all in the company of fellow open studio participants.

Who’s Involved

Lovely Pigeon, the alter ego of designer-maker Kirsty Thomas, is a craft and design studio, producing print, jewellery, homewares and stationery. Established in 2009, Lovely Pigeon now works with an international portfolio of galleries and retailers including some of the uk's best design shops. Lovely Pigeon's current collection includes illustrated bird and bloom brooches, ceramics, teatowels and a circus playkit.

Kirsty will share her experiences of promoting her work and pop up shops (Pigeon Pop Ups) during events and East Neuk Open Studios in Fife.

Painter Hazel Campbell
Hazel will share her experiences as a participant and committee member of Spring Fling and her experiences of individually and collectively promoting the event.

What to Expect
Discussion, examples and exploration of ways to promote your work before, during and after open studios.

What You'll Get Out of It
Opportunity to hear from other artists and makers about how and why they use events, offline and online methods to profile their work and build relationships with their customers
Time to consider your story and identify the people you want to share it with
Where to go to get more information to assist you with your communications, managing contacts and taking your first steps into social media
Your own promotional to do list

Please express an interest by return...

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Birks Cinema Card Sale

ENTER OUR GREAT POSTCARD AUCTION to raise funds for the new BIRKS CINEMA, Aberfeldy

Whether you are amateur or professional, donate an A5 size picture in any medium for us to sell at a silent auction and help get the cinema built. The closing date is Friday Oct 7 (for auction on Friday October 28).

At the auction, donated works will be displayed anonymously, and people will put in silent, written bids for the pieces they like best. Will they find they have acquired a valuable work by a professional, or one by a talented amateur? Either way, they’ve bought a work they like, and the money raised goes towards the rebuilding of the Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy’s central square - see www.birkscinemafriends.org.uk for more details of the cinema project

To enter, please contact info@birkscinemafriends.org,uk for an entry form, and more details will be available on our website soon. We do have good quality watercolour paper available if you wish it - but of course you are free to e

Call For Artists

2011-04-03T09:52:00.000+01:00

Call For Artists
Entries are now open for Perthshire Open Studios 2011. The date for this year's event is from Saturday 3rd to Sunday 11th Sept.

Entries are being accepted online, please visit the following link http://www.perthshireopenstudios.com/bookingform2011.html

Application closing date is 29th April.

Once the application form is complete please download and print off the terms and conditions form . . . this will need to be signed and posted along with your payment.

If your application form has gone through successfully you will receive notification - please print this off and keep it for your records - you will need this later.

Conditions and payments are to be sent to :

Gill Hunt
(Membership Admin)
The Steading
Wester Lix
Killin
Perthshire
FK21 8RD

Any queries please email bookings@perthshireopenstudios.com
or call Gill Hunt on 01567 820990 9.00-5.00 Monday to Friday

AGM CANCELLED

2010-11-30T11:01:00.000Z

It will come as no surprise that the Perthshire Open Studio AGM on Weds 1st December has been cancelled due to this amazing weather . . . We have emailed all members, but please do pass this on to anyone you know in case they haven't received the email.

Due to the time scale that has to be observed for calling an AGM it is likely now that this will take place in January.

Thank you

Gill
(Membership Secretary)

Open Studios AGM

2010-11-13T12:49:00.000Z

Perthshire Open Studios
2010 Annual General Meeting
This years Annual General Meeting has been set for Wednesday 1st December at 7.00pm

Venue :
The North Inch Campus
Gowans Terrace
Perth
PH1 5BF

Where the former St Columba’s High School used to be, next door to Perth Grammar School.

Directions
From Perth centre heading out on the Dunkeld Road, past Asda then turn right at the next roundabout. The campus is at the end of the road.

Call for Committee members

Perthshire Open Studios relies on a dedicated group of volunteers. If you wish to become involved and help ensure the future success of the event please consider standing as a committee member, nominations will be accepted at the AGM.

Please pass this information on to others that may find this of interest, or may wish to join POS.

view email in browser | Unsubscribe gill@westerlix.co.uk | Update your profile | Forward to a friend

Copyright (C) 2010 Perthshire Open Studios All rights reserved.

Visit from FVOS

2010-09-15T23:03:00.001+01:00

Today at Wester Lix we had a visit from some of the Forth Valley Open Studios committee . . . here they are with myself and Dave and Rob Mulholland's brilliant stainless steel 'mirror' man.

Here is another picture with Dave and our very special guest

Pictures courtesy of Ann Shaw and taken on her iPhone.

If anyone has pictures of their studios during Perthshire Open Studios then please email them to me with a few words and I will put them up.

Gill Hunt

Artwork Courtesy of Rob Mulholland http://www.robmulholland.co.uk/

Wester Lix Arts - pics of venue 88

2010-09-15T18:56:00.002+01:00

http://daveajh.blogspot.com/2010/09/perthshire-open-studios.html

Perthsire Open Studios Event . . . TONIGHT

2010-08-29T12:17:00.000+01:00

MEMBERS AND YOUR SPOUSES
ARE INVITED TO AN INFORMAL SOCIAL EVENING
AT THE BIRNAM INSTITUTE
ON SUNDAY 29TH AUGUST AT 7pm
TO CELEBRATE PERTHSHIRE OPEN STUDIOS 2010

There will be light nibbles and free wine. . . So come along and meet other artists and have a relaxing enjoyable evening.

Plus if you need more brochures there will be the last few boxes available.

Members of the committee will be there to answers any questions you may have about the forth coming Open Studios.

Perthshire Open Studios

2010-08-22T14:49:00.001+01:00

EEEEEEEEEKKKKKK only three weeks to go - yes just three weeks and we will all be opening our studio doors to the public. So are you ready? We are almost there . . . well nearly almost.

Last year was very good for us. We sold work both framed and unframed prints and handed out loads of cards for future work . . . but the real coup for us was being seen by members of the committee of Perthshire Photographic Society who then on the strength of our framing work on view in our studio invited us to tender for the job of making all the frames and cutting all the mounts for their Perth 800 exhibition.

The exhibition began with a . . .

Gala Opening - 3 April 2010 at 18h30 Public Opening from 4 April 2010
Venue	Perth Concert Hall, 3 April - 10 August 2010 Birnam Institute, 4 - 29 September 2010 Pitlochry Festival Theatre, November 2010 - March 2011 Touring Exhibitions showing a digital version - throughout Perth and Kinross during 2010. During summer 2011 it is hoped to take the exhibition to Perth’s twin town Aschaffenburg in Germany

So our framing work is on view all over Scotland and very possibly in Germany next year and from this we have picked up more framing work - and all of this was because of people visiting our studio during Perthshire Open Studio . . . so do Open Studios work . . . well they do for us . . . I would be very interested to hear this years success stories.

So don't delay - if you haven't already get your allocation of brochures out there . . . get the posters up, put out the leaflets. The committee of POS have done everything they can do - so now it is up to you.

And here are pictures of our framing work on view at the Perth Concert Hall - which you will be able to see if you are attending the event at Birnham . . .

MEMBERS AND YOUR SPOUSES
ARE INVITED TO AN INFORMAL SOCIAL EVENING
AT THE BIRNAM INSTITUTE
ON SUNDAY 29TH AUGUST AT 7pm
TO CELEBRATE PERTHSHIRE OPEN STUDIOS 2010

See you there . . . Dave and Gill Hunt

PVAF Latest Newsletter

2010-07-12T10:28:00.003+01:00

NB If you are looking for the blog on Elspeth then scroll down to the blog below this . . .

PVAF NEWSLETTER July 2010

PVAF News

Following on from our recent Forum the committee have been discussing many ideas raised by members. It is likely that the next Forum will be in October 2011 as this seems to be a better time of year for attendance. There will be other events before then. .Also having discovered how much it cost for some of our more distant members to attend for the weekend, and noting that there was a significant drop in members from further afield attending this year, we wonder if it would be an idea to either book out a whole local bunkhouse where beds are about £16 a night or maybe less in October - if enough artists would be interested - and also try and set up a 'bed bank' of members living within about 40 mins. of Birnam who could offer free B & B to visiting artists - a good way of networking as well. Perhaps we could do this for the Fire & Event in December.

We also note that many members do like working in small groups either for short workshops or specific discussion sessions – but we just have to find the best way of making this work in the context of the Forum.

The members exhibition ‘ Forms of Narrative ‘has now finished and we would like to thank all members who took part. A really interesting mix of artforms and styles. A sub-committee of members is hoping to meet on 26th July in Perth to start arranging the exhibition for Fire & Ice. If there is anyone still wanting to be involved with this please get in touch with Claire Harkess    harkess.art@talk21.com

Nordart   www.kic-nordart.de

There is still time to join Emma on her trip to Nordart. You will be hosted by our German artist members on a visit to this unique and exciting exhibition. The only costs to you are your flight and entrance ticket. Those who visited last year thoroughly recommended it.
There are direct flights from Edinburgh to Lubeck.
The day for visiting the exhibition is Saturday 4th September.

If you are interested please email to both sugrierson@tiscali.co.uk and
emmaucooper@btinternet.com
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Members News

OPEN STUDIO 2010
30th July – 2nd August
Friday through to Monday 11 am – 6pm daily
ALLANBANK MILL STEADING, ALLANTON, DUNS, BERWICKSHIRE, SCOTLAND TD11 3JX
Tel – 01890 818073 email – allanbank@pobox.com   for directions

PAULINE BURBIDGE – Makes special ‘one-off’ textile wall hangings and functional quilts. Pauline will be unveiling her 2010 ‘Quiltline’ Collection and showing her most recent Studio Quilts.
www.paulineburbidge-quilts.com    and   www.quiltline.co.uk

CHARLES POULSEN – Has been experimenting with new sculptural forms this year, continued to develop his ‘growing sculpture’, and made new powerful, large scale drawings.
www.charlespoulsen-sculpture.com    and   www.growingsculpture.com

ANNA KING (Guest artist) – Makes playful, constructed and coiled forms from a multitude of materials, including fibres and threads. “The threads are like a narrative which weaves and winds through my life, taking me on a journey of exploration”.
www.craftscotland.org (A-Z maker profile, Anna S. King).
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Douglas McBride. Archaeology

My work will be at the Hidden Lane Gallery .1081 Argyle street.
Glasgow from 17th July to 28th August. 2010

Water moving branches in arcs across the silt, the ground disturbed
by deer in systematically worn paths, twigs bend in unison by the wind suggesting its the walks and the acute perception of small moments. Fragments and tell tale signs of unknown beings. Phenomenon that would go un-noticed if it were not for the eye. Archaeology allows us to walk a mile in his shoes and join in the adventure.

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Anita Hutchison - ‘One step at a time’

A textile exhibition that tells the story of Anita walking Scottish footpaths, using diary excerpts and photographs, along with constructed textiles made from fabric, stitch and print to express the interesting finds.

Venue 18. The cellar, Water Wynd (at the top of Water Wynd just off the High Street), Pittenweem Arts Festival, Pittenweem, Fife.
Open Friday 6th August 7-9pm. 7th to 15th August 10am-5pm

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Su Grierson   Edinburgh Art Festival

Integrating agriculture and art in a non gallery venue. Su Grierson will be showing the Aerial Roots project – Videos, sound and images- on a stall at Edinburgh Farmers Market on the first and last weekends of EAF   Saturday July 30th and Saturday August 28th
Castle Terrace Edinburgh     9am – 2pm

A project created with a Scottish Screen ‘Archive Live’ Award: combining Archive and contemporary film of Scottish Agriculture.

A new project website is going live on July 10th at       www.aerialroots.org
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Mirrie Lace

The exhibition, Mirrie Lace, featuring a light installation and experimental Shetland Lace works by twenty one Shetland knitters in collaboration with artists, Nayan Kulkarni and Roxane Permar, has recently opened at Bonhoga Gallery in Shetland. The exhibition, part of the larger project, Mirrie Dancers, will run to 1st August 2010.

The knitters include: Kathleen Anderson, Anne Eunson, Bab Fraser, Laura Friedlander, Verinia Fraser, Catherine Gibb, Janette Henry, Angela Irvine, Ina Irvine, Elizabeth Johnston, Wilma Johnson, Mary Kay, Pearl Keith, Joan Manson, Minnie Mouatt, Helen Robertson, Jan Sawford, Christine Smith, Jessica Smith, Zena Thomson and Gwen Williamson.
You can find further information about the project on the website: www.mirriedancers.com

Financial Information

Loans?

PVAF have been invited to attend the following event looking at low interest loans to artists. If any Members would like to attend please contact    surierson@tiscali.co.uk

Tuesday 13 July, 1-4 pm at Dundee Contemporary Arts, 152 Nethergate, Dundee.

Chris Biddlecombe      Scottish Artist Union writes
We are conducting a study assessing the feasibility of establishing a not-for-profit fund providing low interest loans of between £100 and £5000 to artists, creative micro enterprises (5 people or less) and sole-traders in Scotland.

This research project was initiated through Shetland Arts, who brought the SAU on board along with other key arts individuals to discuss the potential of developing a new arts financial model that could provide appropriate banking facilities for artist individuals and small arts organisations (visual, musicians, performers, writers, etc). A steering group has been set up involving Shetland Arts, SAU, SAC and MMM to lead this study – who have recently employed BOP consultants to carry out the first investigations in the sector. There are 3 workshops (Inverness, Dundee and Glasgow) with a number of key arts individuals to discuss what and if a model can be set up – I must stress that this study is not to replace existing funding, but to look at additional financial support systems and training that can help the arts sector. It would be really useful if you or a colleague from PVAF could attend and input into this event – I think it is really important that experienced arts practitioners come along to these meetings and discuss the financial issues as they are so that a genuine assessment can be made – and each arts specialism will have their own specific needs.

Arts Trust Scotland - deadline: Tuesday 24 August 2010

If you've got a great idea - a sculpture, an installation, a painting, a play, a book, a screenplay or maybe something else - but you need a little money to take your idea from blank page to reality, Arts Trust Scotland is here to help. The trust aims to support work which:

    * is created by artists in Scotland
    * adds to the growing reputation of Scotland's arts community
    * helps individuals of talent to develop their skills and ideas.

They support work in any artform, and the application process is simple. Awards are likely to be between £500 and £2,000. For more information and to download an application form go to www.artstrustscotland.org.uk

New Rural Broadband Challenge Fund launches

Do you have an idea for a project to improve the broadband service in your rural community? The Scottish Government have today announced a new one million Euro challenge fund to help improve the coverage and speed of broadband in rural Scotland. The new fund will be delivered through LEADER.
You can get more information in Rural Broadband Challenge Fund announced http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/en/node/2430

Local Perth News

The ‘Save Perth City Hall From Demolition’ Facebook page says….

“Perth Council seems hell bent on demolishing the' listed' historic City Hall that we placed in its care. Many of us have fond memories of this hall, and are keen that it must be saved. This hall could be of use to so many fund raising organisations, art and culture, city centre creche and toilet facilities, Tourist information, indoor Farmer's Markets and so much more. Please Join this Group if you wish to keep Perth City Hall.”

Have your say on the Facebook Page = Log in to Facebook and search for ‘Save Perth City Hall From Demolition’

On the message page Su Grierson wrote:
I can just imagine this Plaza for 6 months of the year as a dreich, grey cold space that everyone scuttles across to escape the wind whistling through. Why do w e need to pretend that we are a sunny south European city when we actually live in a country of interesting vennels and closes especially when we could actually desperately use a cultural and art hub with open doors in summer and a cosy interior in winter. If you want to see what can be done with an old redundant building take a look at the WASPS art conversion of the Briggait in Glasgow.
. http://www.waspsstudios.org.uk/news/late
st-news/the-briggait-glasgow/

Politics Scotland

Creative Scotland the new national organisation for the development of the arts , screen, and creative industries across Scotland has arrived and as of July 1st the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen are no more.

Creative Scotland will have two locations, one in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow. The addresses are:

12 Manor Place   Edinburgh    EH3 7DD

249 West George Street Glasgow G2 4QE

The suffix of all staff emails will change to @creativescotland.com, e.g. info@creativescotland.com - tom.smith@creativescotland.com

There is a new telephone number 0330 333 2000 and website http://www.creativescotland.com/

It is of interest to artists that Andrew Dixon the new Chief Executive has indicated that language such as ‘ grants and subsidies’ will no longer exist and that now the role of CS is to invest…

invest in ideas
invest in talent
invest in education
invest in places.

The Scottish Artists Union says:

Through two governments, three bills, four ministers for culture and three transition bodies the Scottish Artists Union has grown increasingly concerned over the evolution of Creative Scotland (CS). With a remit exceeding that of the Scottish Arts Council & Scottish Screen we fear the new agency will have to scale back its direct support for artists. The emerging emphasis on creative industry over individual practitioners is indicative of a shift toward inappropriate market-driven models. The proposed lack of specialism in the new agency with no designated officers or departments for discrete art forms is a further source of disquiet
……………………………………….
……..In conclusion, the Culture Minister's office, the joint Scottish Arts Council/Scottish Screen Board and Creative Scotland 2009 Ltd have not allayed the fears of the visual arts sector. Our fears have been flagged consistently throughout the new organisation's inception and despite the CS spin about a further year of transition there remains a marked lack of confidence in our sector and many others. The Scottish Artists Union accepts that CS may remain mutable over this time and so issue a manifesto and a challenge. Ours is a straightforward "to do" list for any organisation claiming to support artists and most especially a government-funded cultural agency like CS. If the new Chief Executive and his staff as well as the Chairman and Board fail to address any one of these points, then CS will have failed the artists of Scotland.

"AFTER CREATIVE SCOTLAND: A STATEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF SCOTTISH CULTURE" IS AVAILABLE IN FULL VIA THE SCOTTISH ARTISTS UNION WEBSITE: http://www.sau.org.uk/document/politicalstatements.php

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CONTRIBUTIONS

This is a PVAF members newsletter. It contains news of members exhibitions and events and other mainly local or political news that we feel is likely to be most relevant to our members. It is not a general news site. We suggest that you subscribe to the Scottish Arts Councils News & Opportunities for wider national news. Incidentally you can also post your own information to that newsletter just email: newsandopportunities@scottisharts.org.uk
To place your news in the PVAF newsletter please send it in the style shown above to sugrierson@tiscali..co.uk   by the end of each month or at latest 4 days before the second sunday of each month when we aim to distribute it

Last Minute

2010-07-10T12:11:00.001+01:00

As artists we have a reputation for being last minute . . . I know we, Dave and Gill Hunt are . . . and there have been many times that we have seen midnight preparing work to go on display the next day. Also as Membership Secretary for POS it is always interesting to watch the last minute rush as you guys suddenly remember that the deadline for POS is only 24 hours away.

But I wonder if any of you can beat this for being last minute . . . at last year's Open Evening of the Taster Exhibition at Blairgowrie the night before POS kicked off I was chatting to Elspeth Collier - I am sure many of you know her - she has been very active in POS and was on the committee when POS was born and also last year - this year she is taking a well earned rest . . . Elspeth and I were discussing getting ready and being last minute for Perthshire Open Studio . . . then Elspeth very casually announced that . . .'of course my husband is still building my studio as we speak!!!!!!!' Cake crumbs sprayed everywhere (and it was a good cake too) I looked at her open mouthed - not a good look when you have been eating cake . . . But Berlimey what can you say - that really is last minute and for NOW Elspeth has the Last Minute award from Perthshire Open Studio - well she would if we had one - but . . . we don't . . . unless someone wants to make us one - last minute of course.

SO does Elspeth deserve the last minute award can she hold her head and her non-existent award up high . . . or do you have a story to top hers??????

If you do email your Last Minute Story to info@perthshireopenstudios.co.uk

Here is Elspeth's Story and why she currently holds the award.

It’s that time of year again – the sun is shining and I’m thinking about getting organized for Perthshire Open Studios. (I hear our Chairperson, Dave Murton, already has 30 new paintings ready for the event, but we can’t all be that efficient!) However, I am determined not to leave everything to the last minute again. Last year I decided in July that my 6ft x 4ft shed studio just wasn’t big enough for all the visitors I was hoping for. A trawl of the net uncovered a bargain priced log cabin and “Build a new studio” went to the top of my to-do list. In August I placed the order; we levelled the ground and put in the foundations; but it was not until a week before the start of POS 2009 that the kit finally arrived. Time was fast running out but there is nothing like a deadline for producing results. The day before the opening of POS, the floor was laid and the last piece of roofing felt nailed down.

My Pink Pigeon Studio (there are pigeons in our garden and the front of the studio is bright pink) is now a fantastic space to work in and I am able to explore and experiment with the different techniques and media that I like to use to create my artworks.

Pink Pigeon Studio . . .

New Events

2010-07-07T11:46:00.000+01:00

A Sad Loss

2010-07-04T13:24:00.001+01:00

The Art World has lost a great Artist and particularly the Perthshire Art World - Hugh Murdoch who was part of Touchie Studio on the Turquoise Route - number 48 has very sadly died. Susie Johnston who was due to exhibit with him in September had this to say . . .

June 2010
The world has lost a great man. Hugh Murdoch has died at his home in Kinross. Touchie Studios was to show new work by Hugh Murdoch and Susie Johnston during Perthshire Open Studios. Susie has expressed that she would like to celebrate his life by hosting an evening to remember the amazing person and outstanding painter that he was in addition to dear friend and inspiration to so many. Susie and Hugh had discussed at length the format for the Open Studios which he was to show his work at and he made it clear that a party was the way to kick start the Open Studios Event. There will be an evening to celebrate for Hugh's life on Friday 10 September 7.30pm till 10pm at Touchie Studios, by Milnathort. KY130RS. All welcome.

Thank you to Susie for providing and allowing us to use these images of Hugh's work.

In Brief

2010-06-28T10:23:00.000+01:00

Eeeeek family stuff . . .ie a graduation and our daughter about to depart for Australia means I haven't had time to Blog . . .

So here is the news in brief . . . THE BROCHURE IS NOW OUT. All Artists will be getting a call to tell you where to pick up your quoter of brochures, postcard style fliers, posters and signs for the event . . . then it is up to you to get your brochures out there to the public . . . it would be good to hear from previous POS people where they have found it usefull to place their brochures . . . we are suggesting libraries, tourist information, accommodation providers, coffee shops, local businesses and so on . . . posters to go up in key places . . . postcards can be left where there is no room for brochures and always carry the postcards with you to hand out . . .

The new website is up www.perthshireopenstudios.co.uk so add that onto your email address . . . and let's start telling everybody about Perthshire Open Studios . . . it will be here quicker than you think.

Open Studios From a Visitor's Perspective

2010-06-13T11:08:00.000+01:00

I am looking forward to hearing from the artists of POS what Perthshire Open Studios has done for you and I do have some stories now from some of our members and will be publishing them over the weeks . . . but for today let's have a look at it from a client perspective . . .

Jenny of Rose Cottage visited some of the studios during Perthshire Open Studio last year and found it very worthwhile . . . 'The Open Studios are always a great experience for visitors to Perthshire' said Jenny 'an opportunity to meet so many very interesting people, and to see such a vast array of truly talented work' . . . Jenny went onto say that she bought some lovely examples of said work from two of the local artists, but was especially delighted when she visited Claire Robertson of Barony Crafts in St Davids Madderty. Claire of Barony Crafts created Rose Cottage's own personalised toiletries for the exclusive use of Rose Cottage's guests . . . which has been a big hit - always good to make guests feel that extra bit special and what better than toiletries made especially for the place you are staying in . . . gets my vote.

So thank you to Jenny for coming forward with her experiences of POS last year and so for those of you wondering where to put your allocation of brochures this year don't forget the accommodation providers . . . for the benefit of owners themselves as in the case of Jenny and of course to encourage their guests to visit your studios . . .

Here are some pictures of the gorgeous Rose Cottage

Part of Jenny's Garden

Rose Cottage Self Catering

Rose Cottage B&B

So if you would like to add your experiences to this blog either as an artist, or as a client then please email me on info@perthshireopenstudios.com you can either write a piece and send it to me, or tell me what you want to say and I will write it for you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this Blog and if you have a few more spare minutes you can add your comments as well . . .

Forth Valley Open Studios

2010-06-06T11:48:00.001+01:00

Friday night myself - Gill Hunt and Dave Hunt plus our neighbours Heather Walker and Bernard Mallett-Griffiths of Wester Lix Arts . . . number 2 on the FVOS route attended the private viewing of the Forth Valley Open Studios Taster Exhibition www.forthvalleyopenstudios.com what a brilliant night it was the event was very well attended indeed. The Taster Exhibition at Delta Studios www.deltastudios.net was extremely well hung and very impressive - a huge well done to Avril Nicol of Delta studios. Avril is also the membership secretary of FVOS and was given a personal thank you and a bouquet of flowers for all her hard work . . . as she said she will get her life back now.

Lys Hansen our very own famous international artist and also a member of POS and Chairperson of FVOS welcomed everyone and gave a list of thanks . . . which included myself and Dave for our advice and support of FVOS. Lys also introduced Cathy Peattie MSP who sang for us and then opened the event.

How did it all start . . . in January this year Dave and I received a phone call from Ann Shaw asking us about POS - how we set it up, what was involved etc as she was interested in doing the same for Forth Valley . . . in . . . JUNE . . . GULP . . . . in all honesty we thought it was impossible. POS started preparing in January for an event in September . . . but with huge determination, alot of work from Avril and alot of advice from us Ann pulled it all together , an amazing achievement so well done to the FVOS committee and especially well done Ann. And now we are in the last few days before FVOS starts so good luck to everyone I hope FVOS is as good for those of you in it as POS has been for us.

The next blog will be about the amazing contract that came our way as a result of POS.

Call To Artists

2010-06-03T10:16:00.005+01:00

Are you a member of POS 2010 . . . want to be included on our Blog . . . email info@perthshireopenstudios.com with stories of what you are doing this year for Perthshire Open Studios. Tell us about your studio, tell us about your work for this year, send us pictures and we will include them on the blog ie one artist last year was still building her studio hours ahead of the opening and we thought we were doing everything last minute . . . And why would you want to tell us your stories - because it will help to raise your own profile as well as that of POS on the internet and that is where anyone who is anyone wants to be found . . .

Find us on Twitter . . .Openstudios 2010 and follow us . . .

Joins us on Facebook http://perthshireopenstudios.blogspot.com/ become a friend . . .

Dave Hunt and myself Gill Hunt are busy not developing new bodies of work . . . hangs head . . . well we are artists and everything has to be left to the very last moment so that we can go into a blind panic hours before we open our doors for POS 2010 . . . are you like that, or are you better prepared . . . so whatever you are doing tell us about it . . .

Also if you have a database of your own clients - then email them let them know about us on Twitter, Facebook and the Blog - the very best way to keep in touch with the Artists and the Event . . .

Perthshire OPen Studios 2010

2010-05-29T14:48:00.003+01:00

Welcome to Perthshire Open Studios 2010 . . . which in case anyone is in any doubt is now going ahead . . . with 101 studios and some 160 artists involved . . .

We are now at the stage where the 2010 brochure is about to go to the printer - a very exciting moment for all of us on the committee. So watch this space. We will announce when the new website goes live followed by when and where the artists can collect their newly printed brochures as well as fliers, posters and those all important arrow . . .

So just a brief up-date for now - more to come as the weeks roll on and before you know it Perthshire Open Studio 2010 will be upon us.

Sharing Studios Space

2010-02-19T09:05:00.002Z

We have had a few requests to help potential members share studio spaces for the event. Rather than send out endless emails to all members and risk becoming a nuisance why not put up a post here.....
If you do not have a blogger account drop us a note at infor@perthshireopenstudios and we can publish something on your behalf.
Dave and Gill

Applications for the Perthshire Open Studios Event 2010

2010-02-10T20:17:00.003Z

Sharpen your pencils, speak nicely to the neighbours! Get ready to apply for the 2010 event. I've just been to the site and the application form is there - ready to accept applications for this year. It creates the incentive to get in touch with the people you were involved with last year, to clarify the details and get applying. We want this year to be the best one yet and it's up to participants at this stage to get involved so that record numbers will be attracted to the spectacular event.
Go to www.PerthshireOpenStudios.com to see the information we need for the application.

Perthshire Open Studio Event for 2010

2010-02-05T16:53:00.000Z

This is the official blog spot for the Perthshire Open Studio Event. As the countdown to the Open Studio Event progresses this is a place to catch up on information and advice and to contribute your views to make the event an even greater success than the brilliant 2009 Event was. For artists who are interested in participating watch out for the invitation email which is due out in the next week or so (there are just a couple of modifications to complete to make the form more user friendly). If you know someone who would like to be in the mailing list for possible inclusion now or in the future please don't hesitate to contact us at: info@perthshireopenstudios.com and of course visit the website at http://www.perthshireopenstudios.com/