Garden centre hopes to help art project grow Sponsor is boost for Open Studios
Glendoick Garden Centre has been announced as the new sponsor for Open Studios in the Carse of Gowrie to boost falling numbers.
The move is part of a plan from the area’s councillor, Angus Forbes, to encourage visitors to stop in the Carse, rather than just drive through on the A90.
Open Studios for Perth and Kinross has been running for over 10 years and the Carse of Gowrie currently sits in the ‘Lime’ route, however over the last few years the number of artists has gradually dropped and now there are just eight in that area.
Cllr Forbes has set out to try and attract more artists to sign-up in which it is hoped will ultimately lead to more visitors, and therefore more sales, to reverse the current situation.
Commenting on the announcement, Cllr Forbes said: “I am truly delighted that Glendoick Garden Centre has agreed to sponsor the Carse of Gowrie route.
“Glendoick is a big attraction in the Carse and brings huge numbers of visitors with it.
“Hopefully this sponsorship, along with the practical promotional help that Glendoick has offered will encourage more artists along with more visitors and I am very grateful to the owners of Glendoick for agreeing to help.
“For some time now I have been trying to find a way to encourage visitors to stop and explore the Carse rather than just drive by and this is a big help with that plan.”
Open Studios is a collaboration of artists who get together to promote themselves over a 10 day period in September each year - the concept is based on series of routes which visitors are encouraged to follow.
Not only is Glendoick sponsoring Angus Forbes with Liz Dulley and Jane Cox the route but has agreed to host some samples of artists’ work in its coffee shop and place a large map of artists in its car park.
Artist Liz Dulley, a coordinator of the ‘Lime’ route, said: “I’d like to thank Jane Cox from Glendoick Garden Centre for agreeing to sponsor the route next year.
“Her enthusiasm for the project was really encouraging and the number of visitors that Glendoick attracts every week will make a huge difference to the Open Studios.”
Jane Cox, owner of Glendoick Garden Centre, said: “When Cllr Forbes approached me about the sponsorship of the route I was more than happy to help.
“It’s a wonderful initiative to bring people to the Carse of Gowrie area and see the wonderful scenery we have to offer as well as spend some money with local businesses.”