Caithness artists forced to find new exhibition venue in Thurso
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CAITHNESS artists have been forced to find a new venue for their annual exhibition in Thurso after being "priced out of the market" by Highland Council's increased hire charges.
The 85th exhibition of the Society of Caithness Artists is set to open in the Engineering, Technology and Energy Centre (ETEC) building at North Highland College UHI at the end of July. Previously it has been held at nearby Thurso High School.
Society chairman Ian Pearson said: “The society was forced to seek alternative venues when last year Highland Council, which is responsible for school hall lets, increased the rent by 250 per cent over inflation.
"Clearly, the society, being a voluntary organisation, could not justify passing on this drastic increase to all our members. We did make representation to the council in the hope of a mutually beneficial agreement but this did not materialise.
"They really priced us out of the market. It is a shame as the council is losing money."
Mr Pearson also discussed the matter with local councillors and he had a meeting with north MP Jamie Stone. In addition he wrote to the council's chief executive as well as Scotland’s First Minister.
He said: "While all were sympathetic with our cause no-one appeared to have any power to resolve the issue.”
Mr Pearson pointed out that they had been been paying £900 for rental, which had gone up to nearly £1500, and this year they were looking at a charge of £3000 due to the loss of a voluntary group discount.
Every time he tried to discuss the issue with the council he ended up talking to a different person, he said.
"We looked all through Caithness, we went to Wick, John O'Groats and Lyth Arts Centre," Mr Pearson said. "Everyone was very accommodating – they supported our cause."
Finally they went to the North Highland College, and Mr Pearson said they were welcomed with open arms. "We are looking forward to working with them," he said.
This year's exhibition will be in the atrium at the ETEC building which is located in an annexe towards the rear of the college.
Mr Pearson pointed out that the building was on a par in size with the hall at the high school, but was higher and had the potential of using a gallery for extra space to hang exhibits.
"We are looking to have the same number of artists, if not more," he said. "We could accommodate perhaps more sculptures this year. It is a nicer building with more natural light.
"Once word gets out I think that will encourage more people to take part."
The society will have the opportunity to use adjoining rooms for live painting and other practical demonstrations.
Mr Pearson said: "This time we are going to make it more user-friendly. We will be open right through from 3-8pm without a break which should suit some people coming from work.
"The membership will be the same as previous years and each artist will be entitled to hang four works."
The society enjoyed success at its exhibitions in Thurso High, last year attracting 2500 visitors and 108 artists who displayed more than 400 works of art – 100 of which were sold.
Mr Pearson said: "It is a shame – there was nothing really wrong with the venue, it was purely monetary terms. We got on so well with the janitors at the high school."
He added: "The society is excited to be able to continue to offer a platform for all visual artists within the area and we look forward to working with North Highland College UHI on delivering an exhibition where there is fully accessible art for all, whether locals or visitors to the county."
College principal Donald MacBeath said: “I’m delighted that the society has considered our ETEC facility to be a suitable venue for the exhibition and I am very much looking forward to meeting society members and visitors over the course of the event."
This year’s exhibition will run from July 27 until August 7, with artists handing in their works on July 25.
The Society of Caithness Artists is the oldest of its kind in Scotland.
The group is also revising its website and hopes to get the new one up and operating in April.
A Highland Council spokeswoman said the increase is below the rate of inflation and was approved by members to try and offset savings of £37.456 million over the next three years. The move is expected to save £50,000 in 2019/20.
"Hire charges are reviewed on April 1 each year and are categorised into three bands with discount options available for qualifying groups," she said.
