Artwork draws in the crowds at Rattray Hall
Bigger and better than ever was the judgment of seasoned art festival-goers after the preview of Rattray Art Festival in Rattray Hall last Friday.
The festival has grown over the last eight years and this year was part of It’s Braw: Blairgowrie and Rattray Arts Week.
The formal opening was by Eve Campbell, young citizen of the year, after an introduction by Sandy Thomson, citizen of the year.
Sandy said it was an honour for him and Eve to be invited to perform the opening ceremony.
He added: “Events like this just don’t happen and behind the scenes there is a very hardworking committee, none more so than Tina Gliddon and Lesley McDonald.
“We extend to them and all the festival sponsors enormous thanks for promoting Rattray and Blairgowrie artistic talent.”
The event continued on Saturday and Sunday.
This year’s feature artist Colin Woolf paints in oils and watercolours as well as very fine pencil sketches.
Former Blairgowrie resident Jonathan Mitchell had a number of his works on show, including a limited edition of Sir Jackie Stewart at Nurburgring in 1969, painted in aid of Dyslexia Scotland.
Other exhibitors included last year’s feature artist Janet McCrorie plus perennial favourite Philip Raskin and Barbara Robertson with her amusing lino prints.
Two of this year’s new organisers, Tina Gliddon and Anick Pitcher, had their work on show and other exhibitors included Tricia Sutherland, newcomers Babs Pease and Hayley Mills and Rattray bird artist Barry Macfarlane.
Jonathan Mitchell with some of his exhibits, including a limited edition of racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart at the Nurburgring circuit in 1969 – painted in aid of Dyslexia Scotland. Pic: David Phillips