Society of Caithness Artists' annual exhibition is cancelled

THE annual exhibition of the Society of Caithness Artists has become the latest community event to fall by the wayside as the coronavirus crisis continues.

It was confirmed today that the 2020 show – due to take place at the Engineering, Technology and Energy Centre (ETEC) at North Highland College UHI from July 28 until August 7 – had been cancelled.

It comes as the society launches a new website aimed at keeping local artists informed about its activities.

The summer exhibition in Thurso is the oldest of its kind in Scotland, and this year’s event would have been the 85th.

Society chairman Ian Pearson said: "We are bitterly disappointed that this year's exhibition cannot go ahead as planned, especially as it would have been the first to be held in a new venue at UHI.

"However, the committee will be working hard to ensure the exhibition's rescheduled date for 2021 will offer enhanced attractions to the visual art scene of Caithness and maintain the high standard that the society is so well known for."

Ian explained that the website captures some of the history of the society.

“We hope everyone enjoys looking at the photographs of past annual exhibitions on the website,” he said. “There are plenty of familiar faces to recognise and remember.”

We are bitterly disappointed that this year's exhibition cannot go ahead as planned.

The website also has an archive section showcasing exhibition catalogues from over the years.

“It’s amazing when one reads about artwork listed in exhibition catalogues from the past where paintings were segregated by media type – such that all watercolours were displayed on their own, separated from oils, and sculptures had their own specific table area,” Ian said.

“Even toy models were exhibited and the amount of art was a fraction of the work seen today.”

He added: “One bonus in today’s world of restricted movements is that people can reflect on the past which may highlight memories of exhibitions they attended in years gone by.

“We are encouraging everyone to share their memories of previous exhibitions, either through the website or on the society’s Facebook page.”

One of Ian’s own memories involves hanging a huge oil painting that had been handed to him by an artist in a hurry. Ian didn’t realise the paint was still wet... until his hand slid all over the freshly painted landscape.

Previously the exhibition has been held at Thurso High School. Last year it attracted 2500 visitors and 108 artists who displayed more than 400 works of art, 100 of which were sold.

The new website can be found here.

The site has been designed and created by Jacob Irvine of Caithness Creative Design.

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