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Society of Caithness Artists holds first face-to-face AGM for two years





The Society of Caithness Artists (SCA) held its first face-to-face AGM in over two years in Thurso and gave updates on its work during that time.

The meeting took place in the Pentland Hotel on Monday, April 18 with a good turnout hearing the Society’s chair Ian Pearson report on its activities during the pandemic. The Covid restrictions forced the cancellation of two physical annual art exhibitions, but the SCA responded by holding three online exhibitions. The total number of artists who had exhibited at the three online exhibitions were 202 and 100 pieces of art were sold.

Ian Pearson is chairman of the Society of Caithness Artists.
Ian Pearson is chairman of the Society of Caithness Artists.

The Society also had 15-20 of its artists take part in the Thurso Community Development Trust project to display paintings in shop windows in Thurso. Caithness Writers Group also approached the SCA with a project involving artists collaborating with writers on a particular theme.

The group launched a newsletter that was emailed to all who signed up. Currently, there are over 130 subscribers to the newsletter and a revamp of the Society’s website was undertaken by Caithness Creative Design. “Artist of the Month” was initiated on the website and is currently ongoing.

Ian Pearson explained in more detail about the future for this year’s annual exhibition. An alternative venue to Thurso High School had to be sought due to the increase of school hall rent which had gone up by over 100 per cent. It was agreed to use the Thurso Campus of the UHI – the part of the campus known as ETEC.

The Society of Caithness Artists helped organise a recent art auction at Castlehill.
The Society of Caithness Artists helped organise a recent art auction at Castlehill.

The dates and times of this year’s exhibition in ETEC, UHI, Thurso Campus are as follows:

Saturday, July 23 – handing in day between 10am and 2pm.

Monday, July 25 – the opening night from 6-8pm.

Tuesday, July 26 to Friday, August 5 – the exhibition will be open from 3pm to 8pm excluding Sunday.

The AGM heard that the Society was involved with Ukraine Fund appeal art sale at Castlehill with over £3600 raised.

Ian concluded his report by saying over the last two years the Society has offered advice on paintings of a doubtful provenance both with prices and identifying artists. In addition, the Society has been asked about recommendations for commissions.

The AGM saw support for a rule change which will enable anyone with a Caithness connection to become a member of the Society thus lifting the restriction which original was for artists only. Chair Ian Pearson explained this was to act more inclusive in recognition that there are people who wish to support art in the county but are not actually artists themselves.

New committee members, Shelagh Swanson, Julie Dent and Lisa Critchley were welcomed. Long-term committee member Sheila Butler was thanked for all her effort working on the committee for over 40 years. Sheila had served in various roles including vice chair. Willie Wallace stepped down as vice chair and was replaced by Don Clarke.

More details about the SCA can be found on the web site societyofcaithnessartists.co.uk/ and Facebook page. Chair Ian Pearson can also be emailed at: ian.pearson1@tiscali.co.uk


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