Locals asked to help with artistic plan for John O’Groats

TWO Scottish artists with an international reputation will be consulting with people in John O’Groats about a long-term artistic plan for the village’s redevelopment.

Matthew Dalziel and Louise Scullion, who are based in Dundee, have been funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise to work with local people and visitors to develop a concept which will create a strong feeling of place for Groats.

Mr Dalziel said: “We look at the resources places have at their disposal, which could be physical attributes like mountains or beaches, or less tangible features like customs and ideas, and use these to create artworks or objects that encapsulate iconic images that can play a substantial role in supporting a place as a location or destination.”

The couple have worked on projects such as Scottish Natural Heritage’s headquarters in Inverness, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow and the Science Museum in London.

HIE has been leading the development work at John O’Groats, including working with the community to create a masterplan for its regeneration. It has invested £1.8 million in the £6m Heritage Great Britain and Natural Retreats redevelopment project and delivered a very successful community art project to mark the start of the rejuvenation

The first of the community meetings takes place on December 14.

For the full story see Friday’s John O’Groat Journal.

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