Young artists step out of the shadows in Mid Argyll
NO FEWER than 21 young artists were given a fantastic platform for their work at the recent Into the Light art exhibition.
The exhibition, held in the beautiful barn at Achnabreck Farmhouse, was organised and curated by 17-year-old Beth Qualter Buncall and Holly Smith, aged 16. Its intention was ‘to illuminate the fantastic artistic talent of the up-and-coming local young artists in our region’.
The exhibition was organised along professional guidelines, with a selection procedure which enabled artists under the age of 25 to show their work, many for the first time outside of school shows.
The young people experienced how an exhibition is run, from application, adhering to deadlines, providing biographies, to assisting with hanging and final details before opening.
Many pieces of art were for sale to the public and the sold labels soon covered the walls.
Some of the pieces in the exhibition highlighted work produced by young people, as a result of workshops and mentoring by es- tablished artists. Beth and Holly decided to turn the tables this time and offer workshops themselves, to the pupils of local primary schools. These sessions allowed the primary children to learn new techniques to express their artistic talents and wonderful artworks were created which were displayed creatively as the nursery work was displayed beautifully on a washing line – at a nursery pupil’s eye level – as part of the exhibition.
Astounded
The girls demonstrated their belief that art is not restricted to 2D work, and on the preview evening guests were astounded by a programme of music which ran alongside the exhibition.
James Urquhart astonished the audience on piano, David Hubbard sang his heart out and Eve Maxwell left the audience in tears with her opera singing.
During the lead up to the exhibition, many local established artists and young artists showed their support for the project by kindly donating postcard-sized pieces of original work.
An ‘art lucky dip’ was a huge hit alongside the main event, generating lots of excitement throughout the show, and more than two thirds of the pieces had been claimed by the end of the preview evening.
The exhibition which was open to the public during Saturday September 16 and Sunday 17, was supported by Lochgilphead High School, the high school art and music department, Achnabreck Farmhouse, Craignish Community Centre, the Archway Gallery and Mid Argyll Youth Development Services.
The exhibition was exceptional, with visitors coming from as far away as London to witness the next generation of artists within Mid Argyll.
Comments in the visitors’ book sum up the enthusiasm and support for this event: ‘Congratulations for your immense energy, vision and commitment for this great show of youth arts! Very well done team’ – Hannah Tofts, artist.
‘You deserve a huge congratulation from everyone. I really am impressed and wish you all success for the future. So much talent MUST be encouraged and taken further’ – Faith Shannon, artist.