The Patrick Allan-Fraser of Hospitalfield Trust

Hospitalfield Trust & Scottish Sculpture Workshop

2008-03-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

In a move which could significantly elevate Scotland’s international presence in the visual arts, Scottish Sculpture Workshop, and Hospitalfield Trust, based in Arbroath, have identified a series of common aims and are now considering how best to pursue them.

Hospitalfield and SSW are institutions with matching aspirations in the visual arts and complementary strengths. Both are ambitious for a new phase of development and input into Scotland’s rising cultural presence on the international scene. By combining our energies we will have the critical mass to make a more powerful footprint in the visual arts and achieve much more than we can individually.

Bringing together SSW’s contemporary, funded programming strengths with Hospitalfield’s international arts outreach and historic country house setting we have a vigorous and influential vehicle to deliver opportunities for artists and for enhancing excellence in the visual arts.

The two institutions have identified a number of areas for joint delivery including international residencies for artists, a programme of seminars and events including research with Scottish Art Schools; building custom made artists’ studios and a programme of courses and workshops. As a first step the two organisations will collaborate on a major joint project bid.

The two organisations are exploring a range of collaborative scenarios, with a focus on sustainability, and both boards will take time to consider options, but our immediate focus is on combining our strengths to develop a unique resource delivering artistic excellence for the visual arts in Scotland.

New Website for Spoken Spaces now online.

2007-02-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

New Website for Spoken Spaces now online.

Visit the project blog for Spoken Spaces at www.spokenspaces.eu . For more information on the project, click 'read more'.

Spoken Spaces is a European Partnership currently funded by the German, Hungarian and British Councils. The project will develop adult learning opportunities using new strategies and the creative arts to encourage the involvement and participation of adult communities with their own Historic and cultural Centres.

Each of the four participating heritage art centres will aim to involve their own economic communities, that is staff usually involved in the running and maintenance of each of the centres becoming involved in its central or core activity. These will be the cooks the cleaners, the gardeners amongst others.

Each centre will collaborate and exchange outcomes and the project aims to engage adults with an active relationship with the local and familiar whilst enabling an international dialogue.

The Gruntvig award facilitates travel amongst the participating centres and we plan to bring a domestic perspective to cultural exchange.

'The Golden Hammer' - a workshop with Henry Coombes at Hospitalfield

2007-01-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

'The Golden Hammer' - a workshop with Henry Coombes at Hospitalfield

To coincide with his solo exhibition 'Black Button' in The Cooper Gallery at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee, Glasgow-based artist Henry Coombes presents the outcomes of a two day workshop with 3rd and 4th year students at Hospitalfield earlier this month. The exhibition in the Lower Foyer gallery runs from the 27 January to 24 February 2007.

Henry Coombes is one of six artists that will represent Scotland at the 52nd Venice Bienniale this year, in the exhibition ‘Scotland and Venice 2007’. He has also recently been short-listed for a Creative Scotland Award.

For full details on the project, click 'read more'

LOWER FOYER GALLERY
'The Golden Hammer': A workshop with Henry Coombes at Hospitalfield

With student group: Lauren Gault / Diane Lees / Rebecca Lindsay / Jay O'Reilly / Richard Sharp / Kirsten Wilson / Kirsty Buchanan / Fraser MacDonald / Richard Cormack / Janet Brown / Pamela Cardwell / Ai Kato / Neil Scott

Thirteen third and forth year Fine Art students from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design arrived at Hospitalfield House in Arbroath to experience its nineteenth century architecture, vast and fascinating collection and the surrounding grounds. Hospitalfield (www.hospitalfield.org.uk) is a Residential Arts Centre for artists' residencies and project workshops for the promotion of contemporary arts and international exchange.This workshop was part of the college's programme of professional development for students, where placements outside the institution place students in real situations away from their studios. Artist Henry Coombes, recently selected to represent Scotland at the 52nd Venice Bienniale, and exhibiting concurrently in the Cooper Gallery, was invited to create and lead a workshop at Hospitalfield. The students' brief was to create work in response to a particular object or feature in the house over an intense two days of productivity in the on-site studios.

On day 1 pencil drawings were made of their chosen objects from memory, then Henry introduced the students to working with wet clay to make gestural marks on the paper. This helped the students to loosen up, to stray away from original intentions and taught them not to be precious about their work. The process of making and allowing things to happen was the focus of the workshops rather than the finished outcome. Quickly sculptural objects were made with the drawings in mind, using chicken wire, bits of wood, plaster and scrim.

Day 2 included making clay portrait heads of each other with the students working in pairs. One head was to be made with bare hands and the other with a pair of cumbersome rubber gloves. Wearing the gloves the students could not concentrate on details and instead had to focus on the forms in general, resulting in a raw creative essence apparent in all of the work made at Hospitalfield House.

Back in the Lower Foyer Gallery the students had two hours to collaborate and create a cohesive installation from the individual pieces they had been working on. The Golden Hammer, the title of the exhibition, can be seen suspended in the middle of the raft-like construction. It is fitting that it is forever suspended in motion. Henry had originally introduced it to the students with the proviso that anyone straying from the work in hand would incur the penalty of the golden hammer breaking their work, so they would have to build it up again from the broken fragments. The students' attention never wavered and the hammer was never in action.

Installation view.

Project and Exhibition curated by Jenny Brownrigg.

Lower Foyer Gallery, Crawford Building, DJCAD, 13 Perth Road, Dundee DD1 4HT

Mon-Fri: 9.30am-5pm, Sat: 10.30am-4.30pm

www.exhibitions.dundee.ac.uk

Martine Myrup at the Meffan

2007-01-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Martine Myrup at the Meffan

2005 Alumni resident Martine Myrup is here this week whilst she installs her new exhibition at The Meffan, Forfar. The installation, entitled Accidental Remnants, opens this Friday evening, and runs from Saturday 13 January to Saturday 3 February.

Click 'read more' for more details from the Angus Council media release.

The latest show at The Meffan is by Danish born artist Martine Myrup

The work, entitled Accidental Remnants, explores her interest in the fleeting moment and seeks to point out the preciousness of memory and gentle gestures through a single installation.  Martine graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 2002 and has since exhibited her work nationally and internationally. In 2005 she was awarded the Royal Scottish Academy residency at Hospitalfield House in Arbroath.  The exhibition runs from Saturday 13 January to Saturday 10 February at the Meffan, 20 West High Street, Forfar, is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free

In Residence - The RSA at Hospitalfield Exhibition

2007-01-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

In Residence - The RSA at Hospitalfield Exhibition

Visiting Details:

HOSPITALFIELD RESIDENCIES

9 -28 January 2007

Miranda Blennerhassett, Julia Douglas and Catriona Grant
An exciting exhibition of research works by the three Hospitalfield Residents of 2006. These talented young artists were selected for a period of study and development at Hospitalfield House in Arbroath. Gallery 9

The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL

Deadline for Residency Applications

2006-10-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Deadline for Residency Applications

A reminder that the closing date for us to receive applications for the 2007 Residency Programme is Friday 1 December 2006.

Before submitting your application, please make sure you thoroughly check the application guidelines at:
www.hospitalfield.org.uk/html/residenciesnotes.html

Some FAQ from recent enquiries we have received:

Q- I have just graduated this summer. Can I apply?
A- No. You must be 1 year out of formal education to apply.

Q- Can I submit my images on CD instead of slide?
A- Yes. We accept submissions of slide, CD or DVD. We do not accept VHS or DV tape.

Any further common questions will be posted here.

The Big Draw

2006-10-18T00:00:00.001-07:00

The Big Draw

Hospitalfield will host activities as part of The Big Draw 2006 on Thursday 26 October.

Click Read More for details

Project for local adults with learning difficulties.

Adults will use the decorative fabrics in this Scottish Baronial Mansion House to create filigree paper work. The results will be published in a black and white poster incorporating the drawings.

The project is a collaboration between Art Moves (community group), Dundee University and Hospitalfield Trust.

Thursday 26 October 2006 10am - 2pm. Admission Free

For more information 01241 872333

www.thebigdraw.org.uk
www.drawingpower.org.uk

Birthday Time Again!

2006-10-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Birthday Time Again!

After another packed season it's birthday time for Jazz at Hospitalfield. The club will celebrate 16 years of gigs at the next concert on Saturday 28 October, with a set from Nicky Iles (piano) and Ian Dixon (sax) plus rhythm section.

There will be a light buffet and a glass of fizz for everyone at the interval.

The full Autumn programme is now on the website. Read More for full details

Saturday 16 September -

David Newton and Nigel Clark - tribute to Oscar Peterson

www.davidnewton.net www.mcmultimedia.co.uk/nigelclark.html

Saturday 7 October -

Blues Night - with top boogie player Rob Hall, supported by Tim Elliot and Sandy Tweeddale

www.boogie.demon.co.uk

Saturday 28 October -

Nikki Iles (piano) and Iain Dixon (sax) + bass and drums

www.nikkiiles.co.uk

Saturday 25 November-

Molly Duncan (sax), Jim Mullen (guitar), Paul Harrison (organ) + drums

www.mollyduncan.com www.jimmullenjazz.co.uk

Saturday 9 December -

Christmas Concert - John Barnes, Fiona Duncan and Brian Kellock

www.briankellock.com

For more information, or to book your tickets for the next jazz night, please contact Alan Steadman on 01382 774648

Jazz at Hospitalfield Schools Workshop

2006-10-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Jazz at Hospitalfield Schools Workshop

The second Jazz at Hospitalfield Schools Workshop will take place on Friday 27 October, with the Nikki Iles Quartet.

The workshop is an introduction to improvisation and composition. Pupils and staff will have the opportunity to work with all 4 players, a pianist, drummer, sax and bass players and to compose some new work by the end of the day.

In the evening there will be a performance for parents and friends where pupils and staff will play with the band.

While all musicians are experienced in working with pupils at different ages and stages it is felt that Grade 4 players and above would benefit most from the opportunity. Pupils and staff would be asked to bring along their instrument of choice to the workshop. Nikki welcomes all kinds of instruments into the workshop strings, woodwind, brass or percussion as you wish. This will make up an interesting ‘band’.

NB, the principles of improvisation and composition taught are not restricted to jazz, so even if you are not a jazz aficionado you should still get something valuable from the experience!

For more information contact Pauline Meikleham, Education Support Officer at Angus Council on 01241 435222

In Residence, September 2006

2006-09-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

In Residence, September 2006

September is a busy month for residencies. Here's an update on the current artists and their work.

Paul Ryan, Francois Simard and Udo Rathke in the Dining Room

The 2006 ROSL scholars:

Joseph Mahew (India / UK) has been working up paintings with figurative and landscape elements to convey imaginary narratives.

Francois Simard (Quebec) is working on a new series of paintings, with abstract forms derived from landscape, produced in diptychs on specially shaped canvas.

Francois and Miro in the studio

Allyson Reynolds (Australia) has produced a large number of ink sketches based mainly on the surrounding landscape. These small pieces have been displayed in large grids on the walls of the studio. Her technique of saturating and removing ink from the paper results in very dense images, which produces something similar to a photogram and is very evocative of the climate and landscape of Scotland.

Studio, with Allyson Reynolds ink sketches

In Australia, Allyson runs the Doggett Street Studio exhibition space in Brisbane. For more information see www.doggett.com.au

Paul Ryan (UK) has a research-led practice, and works primarily with sketchbooks and drawing. His time at Hospitalfield has bee documented as a diary of historical research, diary entries, sketches and drawings, some of which he has worked up to a large scale. For more information on his work go to www.paulryan.co.uk

Paul Ryan

Also staying for the month is Udo Rathke form Germany, working on preparatory photo images for a new landscape work. You can view selected past works, including online artworks at www.udo-rathke.de

For the end of his stay he was joined by his partner, Miro Sahra, Director of Schloss Plüschow, a residency centre in Mecklenburg, Germany, and member of the ACCR network to which Hospitalfield is affiliated. Information about the centre is at www.plueschow.de

Longer stay residents here at the moment

RSA resident Catriona Grant has been continuing her photographic work.

RSA resident Julia Douglas returned to install work for exhibition during Doors Open Day - see the blog feature on this.

Fleming resident Andrea Stokes was back to continue her work trying to uncover the life of Elizabeth Allan-Fraser, the lady of the house. Andrea has worked with local spiritualists and mediums to try and find out more about her life and experience in the house. We'll post more info on this project when the outcomes are launched.

Jazz at Hospitalfield 2006 Programme

2006-01-13T00:00:00.001-08:00

Jazz at Hospitalfield 2006 Programme

We are pleased to announce the Spring programme for Jazz at Hospitalfield 2006.

Click on Read More to see the full details.

Thank you to everyone who supported the club in 2005. The great atmosphere of the Hospitalfield audience was highlighted in the November issue of Dundee-based IS Magazine which included an interview with the Alan Steadman and a visit to the Molly Duncan night for the 15th birthday celebrations. For those who didn't catch the article, here is a choice quote:

'15 years, and around 150 bands later, the club is a testament to a good idea that's been well realised - with each event filled to capacity in short order. There's a regular core of attendees who range from as far afield as Edinburgh and Aberdeen, as well as a flow of fresh faces, each with their own experience of the genre... The place was absolutely packed, the atmosphere was extremely relaxed and the music was enjoyable straight out of the box.'

Saturday 28 January
Phil Mason's New Orleans All-Stars featuring Christine Tyrrell
www.philmasonallstars.com

Friday 17 February
Paul Jones & Dave Kelly, from The Blues Band
www.thebluesband.com

Saturday 18 March
Bent Persson with The Ken Mathieson Classic Jazz Orchestra
www.visit.se/~bentpersson www.jazz-in-scotland.co.uk/kenmathieson

Friday 14 April
Duke Heitger with The Brian Kellock Trio
www.dukeheitger.com www.briankellock.com

To see more on each artist, please visit their web links.

Keep updated with the programme page on the main site at www.hospitalfield.org.uk/html/eventsforth.html

For further information and tickets contact Alan Steadman on 01382 774648

Moira Scott Payne talk on 100 Women Paint the Sea at Dundee Contemporary Arts

2006-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Moira Scott Payne talk on 100 Women Paint the Sea at Dundee Contemporary Arts

Moira will give a talk about the project, her research and the exhibition at Centrespace in the Visual Research Centre, DCA on Sunday 15 January at 2pm.

Admission Free

For more information on this acclaimed engaged arts project see:

www.vrc.dundee.ac.uk/centrespace/2006/100women.html

www.100womenpaintthesea.co.uk

In Residence 2005 - Hospitalfield Exhibition at the RSA, Edinburgh

2006-01-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

In Residence 2005 - Hospitalfield Exhibition at the RSA, Edinburgh

Works by recent RSA Hopsitalfield Residents.

Kate Owens, Martine Myrup, Susannah Stevens (2005)
Anna Gray (2004)

The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh. 20 January - 12 February 2006.

The RSA currently offer three funded residencies per year. Check this site for details of future application deadlines.

100 Women Paint the Sea at Dundee Contemporary Arts

2006-01-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

100 Women Paint the Sea at Dundee Contemporary Arts

The exhibition travels to Dundee, on show at Centrespace, part of the Visual Research Centre of DCA.

The show also includes a new audio installation containing extracts from the 100 interviews conducted with the participants.

Exhibition runs Friday 13 - Sunday 29 January 2006

VRC open Wednesday - Friday 10.30am - 5.30pm, Saturday & Sunday 12.30pm - 5.30pm

Admission Free

Centrespace, Visual Research Centre, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee DD1 4DY

Tel: 01382 3800064 www.vrc.dundee.ac.uk

100 Women Paint the Sea - a project by Moira Scott Payne

www.100womenpaintthesea.co.uk

Burnishing the Lamp of Memory

2005-11-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

Burnishing the Lamp of Memory

The first colloquium on digital heritage and preservation was held at the Hannah Maclure Centre, University of Abertay Dundee yesterday. Read a report of the conference here:

In a week when Microsoft and Google go head-to-head over plans to digitise thousands of books and other creative works, Scotland today became the focus of international debate on using digital technology to preserve cultural treasures.

Experts from all over the world gathered in Dundee today (Thursday 10 November) for the Inaugural International Colloquium on Digital Heritage and Preservation.

The conference was hosted jointly by the Patrick Allan-Fraser of Hospitalfield Trust and the University of Abertay Dundee. Although planned some months ago, the conference has taken on extra significance in the wake of controversial plans recently announced by internet search company Google to digitise tens of thousands of books from university libraries around the world, and the formation of the Open Content Alliance, including software giant Microsoft, with plans to digitise “the creative output of humankind”.

Conference organiser Dr Kenny McAlpine of Abertay University said: “Digital technology is opening up huge new possibilities for preserving cultural heritage and making it accessible to more and more people. There is so much happening and at such a pace that we decided to create this opportunity for those interested in the issues to meet and share knowledge.”

At today’s conference, around 70 delegates from universities, libraries, galleries, cultural bodies and commercial companies around the world heard presentations from leading figures in digital heritage, such as Paul Gerhardt, Director of the BBC’s Creative Archive Project.

The Creative Archive Project involves Channel 4, the Open University and the British Film Institute, among other, and aims to allow people to download clips of BBC factual programmes from bbc.co.uk for non-commercial use, keep them on their PCs, manipulate and share them, so making the BBC's archives more accessible to licence fee payers. It is seen as a model of digital cultural preservation.

Delegates also heard presentations from leading architectural academic Dr Alberto Sdegno of the University of Venice, talking about the use of new technology to re-create and preserve 16th century architecture, and Vladimir Karen from the Albertina Icome company in Prague, a world authority on CD-ROMs and digitizing historical documents.

Other presentations at the conference represented a very wide variety of cultural sectors: museums, libraries, archives, archaeological monuments and sites, live performances, exhibitions and the World Wide Web. They described recent progress in using digital technology in archaeology, literature, art and historical manuscripts.

Willie Payne, director of the Patrick Allan-Fraser Hospitalfield Trust, said: “It is very interesting to be able to survey the way we see our heritage changing with digital equipment. Not only is this a question of access and storage, but also of retrieval and manipulation allowing a direct creative narrative with digitally captured information. The results can be valuable and also surprising.”

Hospitalfield House in Arbroath is Scotland's artists' residency and project workshop for the promotion of contemporary arts and international exchange. Hospitalfield has enjoyed a unique place in Scotland's architectural and artistic heritage for over two hundred years, and continues to pursue an innovative strategy of support for the emerging artist, balancing increasingly digital artwork within a significant cultural landmark.

Dramatically remodelled by Patrick Allan Fraser from 1850, the mediaeval house was bequeathed 'for the promotion of Education in the Arts' in 1890. Today Hospitalfield is a place of study in all spheres of the arts and for artists from all around the world. Established and aspiring artists alike come visit Hospitalfield to pursue their own research and to study at masterclasses and summer workshops.

Professor Bernard King, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Abertay University, formally opened the conference, saying: “It is particularly pleasing to see how innovation in digital technology – which we at Abertay are pioneering - is constantly evolving and reaching new areas, touching upon and affecting so many different aspects of our lives. Its use in heritage preservation is allowing us to develop new ways to represent, experience and preserve the past for future generations.

“Digital technology in heritage preservation also opens up new economic opportunities. The digitisation of Scotland’s cultural heritage alone would cost an estimated £7-8 billion but Scotland’s digital industries would be well placed to carve out a share, not just of this market, but also of the global heritage asset base.”

To complement today’s Colloquium, Hospitalfield Trust and Abertay have also organised an international exhibition of digital heritage and preservation featuring exhibits from, amongst others, the Universities of Stanford and Venice. The exhibition will open next week. Meanwhile, plans are already in hand to make the Colloquium an annual event.

Eilidh Crumlish London Exhibition

2005-10-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Eilidh Crumlish London Exhibition

2005 RSW resident Eilidh Crumlish is showing works from her residency at an open studios exhibition in South London this weekend.

The show also includes sculpture by her husband, Geoff Lucas.

2005 Hospitalfield Alumni Residency

2005-10-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

2005 Hospitalfield Alumni Residency

Glasgow based painter Michele David has been awarded the first Hospitalfield Alumni Residency. She will spend one month from early October continuing work on her landscape-based practice.

Michele has already spent 3 months at Hospitalfield as a recipient of the 2005 RSW Residency. To view her work visit www.micheledavid.co.uk

Burnishing the Lamp of Memory - Exhibition and Colloquium at University of Abertay Dundee

2005-09-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

Burnishing the Lamp of Memory - Exhibition and Colloquium at University of Abertay Dundee

Details of this Hospitalfield / UAD collaborative project - with exhibition and day conference:

Bill Westheimer brings The Manual Project to Hospitalfield

2005-09-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Bill Westheimer brings The Manual Project to Hospitalfield

Bill Westheimer is here for two weeks from the USA working on The Manual Project - an ongoing portraiture project which combines 19th Century collodion wet plate photography and photograms.

Bill has created two working environments in the studio to produce prints of current residents, staff and local artists, assisted by his wife Lisa and local photographer Malcolm J Thomson.

Bill and Malcolm at work in Patrick Allan-Fraser's 19th Century 'Painting Room' and the studio darkroom.

For more information about The Manual Project take a look at www.billwest.com/manual

Capturing the Hospitalfield 19th Century walled garden with photographic technology of the time. (Malcolm Thomson).

Hospitalfield to host ACCR Conference

2005-09-23T00:00:00.002-07:00

Hospitalfield to host ACCR Conference

Delegates from across Europe will be coming to Hospitalfield for a weekend think tank to examine European cultural collaboration. The '100 Women Paint the Sea' project by Moira Scott Payne, based in Arbroath and promoted through the Hospitalfield Users Group, will be among a number of suggested templates for community heritage projects throughout Europe.

The gathering, between the 7th and 9th of October is promoted through the ACCR - a European Network of Cultural Centers located in Historic Monuments, of which Hospitalfield is the only UK member.

There will be representatives of organisations from Finland, Poland, Italy, Germany, Belgium, France and Scotland.

For more information on the network see www.accr-europe.org

We'll post some feedback here, after the event.

Residents Exhibition - New Paintings by Eilidh Crumlish

2005-09-23T00:00:00.001-07:00

Residents Exhibition - New Paintings by Eilidh Crumlish

Patrick Allan Fraser of Hospitalfield Memorial Chapel
Western Cemetery, Forfar road, Arbroath
Sunday 25th September, 3-5pm

www.eilidhcrum.freeuk.com

Eilidh's studio in Patrick Allan-Fraser's Painting Room:

Jazz at Hosptalfield vocal workshop for schools

2005-09-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Jazz at Hosptalfield vocal workshop for schools

On the 9th of September, Hospitalfield welcomed 50 students from schools around Angus to spend the day working with acclaimed jazz vocalist Tina May and pianist Nicki Iles.

Students and music teachers from Muirfield Primary, Arbroath High, Arbroath Academy, Brechin High, Montrose Academy and Forfar Academy spent the day being introduced to some jazz standards and put through their vocal paces, for a concert to family and friends at the end of the day.

The workshops and concert had great response from all involved. Watch this space for news of more workshop opportunities the future!

For more information on Tina May visit www.tinamay.com

Applications for Visual Arts Residencies 2006

2005-09-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Applications for Visual Arts Residencies 2006

Notes for Applicants for the 2006 Visual Arts Residency programme are now online.

Go to Residencies / How to apply for further details.

Notes are also available to download as a PDF.

100 Women Paint the Sea

2005-08-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

100 Women Paint the Sea

Exhibition at The Signal Tower, Arbroath, 20 August - 17 September 2005.

View the exhibition online at: www.100womenpaintthesea.co.uk

100 Women Paint the Sea is a project by artist Moira Scott Payne, and is supported by the Hospitalfield Users Group.

Information on the project:

This project has brought together 100 women living on the East coast of Scotland, north and south of the Arbroath area, to create an image, both visual and verbal, of the sea. Each woman has painted a 12 x 12 inch canvas and written a short text. The images of each painting have been set beside the women's statements and this web site has been created using selected recordings of the women's voices.

At a time when the fishing industry is seriously in decline and many of the traditional jobs that supported local lives are no longer there, the focus of the community is changing. This project records this interim period. A broad selection of the community from the art clubs, schools, retired, professional and amateur artists have come together to illustrate what the sea means to them.

Amongst the participants are women whose families have been involved in the fishing industries for generations, the fish smokers, the fishermen, the fishmongers and the fish and chip shops. There are women who have been involved in life boat events, a women whose family work at the new water treatment works, we have young women who play on the beach with their children, people who walk on the cliffs, women involved with the new Harbour Yacht club in Arbroath, a representative of the Montrose Harbour Board, a long distance sea swimmer and a woman who owns a deep sea salvage company. We have a poet whose work communicates through descriptions of the sea and sea birds, and artists, philosophers and photographers for whom the sea and its rhythms and structures mirror our world.

In essence, this research focusses on our delicate relationship with the natural world and records some of the many possible attitudes and relationships to the subject. There are women who have lost loved ones at sea and there are those for whom the sea is a romantic panorama that spiritually enriches and sustains their lives.

As a body of research this project becomes an important statement of heritage and www.100womenpaintthesea.co.uk begins to document an ongoing event.

Installation views from the Signal Tower Museum, Arbroath

Further information on this project appeared in related articles in The Herald and The Press and Journal

The Hairst presents Michael Marra

2005-07-20T00:00:00.001-07:00

The Hairst presents Michael Marra

Michael Marra at Hospitalfield House, Saturday 6 August 2005, 8pm

Michael Marra has been one of Scotland's most talented and creative songwriters and performers over the last 30 odd years. His songs are full of wry and surreal wit while also offering insights into the human condition. As a performer he has the rare ability to imbue his lyrics with depth, subtlety and at times heartbreaking pathos while on the next beat he will have tears of laughter welling in your eyes.

He has embraced many musical genres over the years writing music and song for films, theatre and television.

Join him in the beautiful surroundings of Hospitalfield House for a truly memorable summer night at The Hairst.

" …(another) one of Scotland's best kept secrets ... a poet's ear for detail and a nimble wit " Mojo

"...a poet in blue-suede shoes..." The List

www.marra.me.uk

Tickets are £12, Concessions £9 from the Arbroath Tourist Centre, Market Place, Arbroath 01241 872609 and all Angus & Dundee Tourist Offices.

See www.thehairst.co.uk for full programme and to book online.

ROSL Travel Scholars 2005

2005-07-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

ROSL Travel Scholars 2005

The Royal Over Seas League Travel Scholars for 2005 are: Daisy Jackson, New Zealand, Ali Kazim, Pakistan and Nicholas Twist, New Zealand.

They will spend the month of September at Hospitalfield developing new work.

Martine Myrup Open Studio Evening - An Introduction to Birds

2005-06-16T00:00:00.001-07:00

Martine Myrup Open Studio Evening - An Introduction to Birds

Saturday 18th June 2005 from 8pm at Hospitalfield House.

Tower installation view:

Martine describes her practice:

In my work I repeatedly strive to reflect my interest in the fleeting moment, and in the idea that in order to build, something must be destroyed.

I wish my work to be seen as a trace of an action, a hint of a story

Dust in the air suspended
Marks the place where a story ended.
T. S. Eliot

My research is focused on natural history and literature about past explorations, mainly polar, in which I look for geographical metaphors, the moments in between the scientific and the personal: descriptions of man’s, often futile, attempt to fill the void they encounter, be it ocean, polar icecap or desert.

I try to project this inherent attempt into other spaces. Through this I strive to incorporate what is already there; small signs of decay, flaws, traces of other events, to add another layer, to hint at another narrative.

By using everyday, non-precious materials, to appropriate what is at hand and shifting scale, I try to bring the void closer, to domesticate it.

My works are playing as discreet interventions, futile attempts to turn the mundane into the epic.

Studio installation views:

Martine Myrup Open Studio Evening - An Introduction to Birds

2005-06-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Martine Myrup Open Studio Evening - An Introduction to Birds

Saturday 18th June 2005 from 8pm at Hospitalfield House.

St Mary's Music School Concert in the Memorial Chapel

2005-06-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

St Mary's Music School Concert in the Memorial Chapel

Friday 17 June 2005 at 7.00pm, The Fraser of Hospitalfield Memorial Chapel, Western Cemetery, Arbroath

Henry Purcell - Dido and Aeneas
Duncan Strachan - A Monochrome Tale

Double bill of Purcell's operatic masterpiece, a tragic tale of lost love, coupled with a new music theatre work by 6th year pupil Duncan Strachan, loosely based on a folk tale.

Tickets: (all seating unreserved) £5, Schoolchildren £2

Available from Tourist Information Centre, Market Place, Arbroath, Tel:01241 872609

Subject to availability, tickets will also be available at the door on the night, form 6.30pm

Posted: Wed - June 1, 2005

Linda Jackson Exhibition

2005-04-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Linda Jackson Exhibition

2004 RSW resident Linda Jackson presents completed works from her residency here, and at Fettes College, Edinburgh.

On her residency, Linda worked with the facilities and technicians at DCA print studio to produce large-scale hand coloured screen prints of gathered imagery from the local land / town scape.

Hospitalfield Participates in Mémoire de Patrimoine Exhibition, Grand-Hornu, Belgium

2005-04-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hospitalfield Participates in Mémoire de Patrimoine Exhibition, Grand-Hornu, Belgium

A project collaboration between The Hospitalfield Trust and University of Abertay Dundee has been included in this exhibition that explores the relationship between historic environments and digital media.

'Grand-Hornu Images is inviting us to discover an exhibition on the theme of heritage and its conservation. The visitor will learn all about the evolution of the different means of reproduction, used to try to capture the objects of heritage in a definitive way. From ancient techniques as moulding and drawing, up to the most recent computer simulations of prestigious sites and objects still existing or that have disappeared.'

The exhibition runs from 01/05/2005 to 28/08/2005

www.grand-hornu.be

2005 Residents Announced

2005-02-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

2005 Residents Announced

Following the selection panel meeting on the 31st January, the Royal Scottish Academy, the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour, The Saltire Society and the Hospitalfield Trust are pleased to announce the 2005 visual arts residents.

RSA - Kate Owens, Edinburgh; Martine Myrup, Glasgow; Susannah Stevens, Edinburgh.

RSW - Michele David, Glasgow.

Fleming - Eilidh Cromlish, London.

Saltire - Luke Watson, Edinburgh

Deadline for Applications for Visual Arts Residency Programme 2005

2004-10-01T00:00:00.002-07:00

Deadline for Applications for Visual Arts Residency Programme 2005

The deadline for applications for Visual Arts Residencies at Hospitalfield for 2005 is Friday 10th December.

See how to apply for details.

In Residence - Hospitalfield Exhibition at the RSA, Edinburgh

2004-10-01T00:00:00.001-07:00

In Residence - Hospitalfield Exhibition at the RSA, Edinburgh

In Residence: Works in Progress by recent RSA Hopsitalfield Residents - Nicky Bird, Adrian Lear, Emily Speed. The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh. 05 - 21 November 2004.

The RSA Press Release is available here

Nicky Bird at Stills Gallery

2004-10-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Nicky Bird at Stills Gallery

The Book of Hospitalfield by Nicky Bird, shown as part of the 'Inside Out' exhibition at Stills Gallery, Cockburn Street, Edinburgh during October and November 2004.

For more information on the project see www.nickybird.com

Doors Open Day 2004

2004-09-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Doors Open Day 2004

The House and Memorial Chapel will be open to the public on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September 2004 from 10am - 4pm.

The Hospitalfield kitchens will be serving light lunches and afternoon teas throughout the day.

Jane Edden and Emily Speed Exhibition

2004-08-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Jane Edden and Emily Speed Exhibition

Resident artists Jane Edden (Robert Fleming Resident) and Emily Speed (RSA Resident) are holding an open evening to view 2 site specific projects on Sunday 22 August 2004.

"If I'm Breathing I'm Singing" by Jane Edden is an installation combining sculpture, sound and electrical engineering in the Memorial Chapel, Western Cemetery, Arbroath.

"I can't see a thing" by Emily Speed shows wall drawings, sculptural and found objects in one of the tower rooms at Hospitalfield House. The Chapel viewing opens at 6pm and the House at 7pm.

For directions to the venues see the map here

Jazz at Hospitalfield 15th Birthday Celebration

2004-07-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

Jazz at Hospitalfield 15th Birthday Celebration - 27th November 2004 with the Carol Clegg Big Band.

For more information and tickets contact Alan Steadman on 01382 774648.