Follow route to see artists
Art lovers in east Perthshire are reminded that this year’s Perthshire Open Studios gets under way this Saturday.
The nine-day showcase, now in its 10th year, runs until Sunday, September 10. The popular event sees artists, makers and creators throughout the region open their studios and workshops to members of the public, showcasing their work, with many offering .
Participating artists in the east Perthshire area are featured on the‘orange route’which encompasses Blairgowrie, Rattray, Alyth, Dalnaglar, Enochdhu, Kirkmichael, Butterstone and Meigle.
Local stops are also featured on the‘lime route’, which includes Coupar Angus, Kettins and Burrelton.
On the local routes there are a range of painters, printers, sculptors, toymakers, wood carvers, potters, fused and stained glass, willow weavers, stone carvers, textile artists, silversmiths and jewellery makers taking part.
Artists include Andrew Hunter, Trevor Taylor, Michelle Hewitt, Jonathan Mitchell, Lesley Garside, Momentum Pottery, Alison Bowman and Sarah Cave while venues include Wisecraft on Lower Mill Street in Blairgowrie, the Kirkmichael Session House, the Wee House of Glenshee and Quarto Press.
At Wisecraft, Art from the Heart will be on display in a celebration of art and craft work promoting good mental health. The exhibition will be open from 11am to 3pm on Saturday, September 2, 10am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 7pm on Friday.
And at Create@Nest in Blairgowrie there will be a chance to chat to the studio residents and see them at work. The studio is home to fused glass artists, photographers, crocheters, decoupagers, jewellers, knitters and painters. Visitors will also have the opportunity to browse the craft remnants scrapstore and the‘wee shop’selling items made on the premises, and to take part in a taster session or book in for one of a range of upcoming workshops.
Beinn‘A Ghlo in Rattray, venue 22, is the base for exhibitors at the Rattray Arts Festival, which this year takes place on October 14 and 15 as part of the It’s Braw festival.
The small group of artists and cratfmakers include wildlife and landscape painters, jewellers, ceramicists and this year even a children’s book author, Susy Macaulay, and held a preview afternoon on Sunday for friends and family introducing the work that they have created for Perthshire Open Studios.
Art and crafts from members of the community will be on display at Kirkmichael Session House during Perthshire Open Studios and children from the primary school in the village will be taking part in the Anne Exley Art Award Trophy. Visitors will be asked to vote on which piece of work - which this is year is on the theme of a Pictish longhouse - they think is the best,
A flower festival will also be held in Kirkmichael Church, adjacent to the Session House, during the event.
The different routes detailed in the Perthshire Open Studios brochure also include information on a number of cafes and other eateries along the way.
This is designed to encourage visitors to the studios and galleries to make the most of their day out in the inspiratonal surroundings of Perthshire.
Perthshire Open Studios brochures are available at VisitScotland Information Centres and other local businesses and shops.