Art chief vows to put students in the picture
Joe makes exhibit space pledge to budding artists
09.03.2018 A Paisley man has been elected president of one of Britain’s most illustrious arts bodies.
Joe Hargan, who is well known in Scotland as an artist, was unanimously chosen to head up Glasgow Art Club.
Mr Hargan, who studied painting and drawing at the Glasgow School of Art from 197074, says he has grand ambitions for the club, which last year celebrated its 150th anniversary, and has many members from Renfrewshire.
He wants to renovate its upper floors to offer exhibiting opportunities to early-career and student artists.
He said: “During the past three years as artist vice president and chair of the gallery committee we have offered degree students their first prestigious show.
“I intend to broaden these connections with the other Scottish art institutes.
“We have put on all types of exhibitions, from primary and secondary schools, to art school degree students, memorial exhibitions, solo and mixed shows.
“Within the last three years we have put on 43 exhibitions.
“We have a healthy program of events coming up with educational talks and a prestigious Redpath/ Michie exhibition in the autumn amongst others.”
Mr Hargan added that he wants to develop the club’s important archival research with the help of Glasgow University students.
“Th i s i nvolvement is developing a data base of our history,” he said.
“Additionally I would like to see us develop our art collection and expose it to the wider public.
“As you can see, there is a lot to do and, with determination, I will continue the process of presenting and promoting art to a broader audience.”
Mr Hargan, who lives in Oakshaw, became a member of the Paisley Art Institute in 1985, and later that year was elected a council member.
He has exhibited regularly since the early 1970s at the PAI, as well as at the Royal Glasgow Institute of Art, the Royal Society of Watercolour, the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and the Royal Academy.