Wild About Argyll and CHArts join forces for foodie festival
Culture, heritage and Arts Assembly Argyll and Isles (CHArts) recently joined forces with Wild About Argyll which was working with Food from Argyll to showcase some of the best Argyll makers and producers during its first Argyll Food and Drink Festival in Glasgow.
Held at the Briggait on August 19 it is hoped this will be the first of many events showcasing the food, drink, cultural, creative and heritage assets of Argyll and the Isles.
Talking after the event, Wild About Argyll’s development manager Carron Tobin said: ‘There are not many areas of Scotland with their food and drink, creative and tourism sectors working so collaboratively. This is a real showcase of what Argyll has to offer across tourism and food, design and drinks.
‘This first event certainly felt like it has legs and we look forward to exploring doing more in the future.’
CHArts invited 11 makers, artists and producers to showcase their work alongside Argyll’s food, drink and tourism offer, with a catalogue created and bound by Gillian Stewart of Juju Books (www.jujubooks.co.uk).
Helensburgh artist Sarah Selman, of Design in Harmony, said: ‘I am a new member of CHArts and was really impressed by the quality of work from the other makers showcased, reflecting the diversity of our work. For me the benefit was without doubt the opportunity to speak with the other makers, our shared experiences in business and the challenges of working remotely.’ www. designinharmony.co.uk.
CHArts is a growing network that brings together creative people and organisations who live and work in the region, aiming to promote itself through local and national platforms and providing real opportunities for growth for culture, heritage and arts.
The Argyll Food and Drink Festival was the first in a long line of up-coming opportunities which the network can benefit from, promoting Argyll as a must-visit Scottish destination, as told by the people who know it best.
Makers and visitors alike were impressed by the quality and diversity of work on show, reflecting the skill and passion of those working in, and being inspired by, Argyll’s unique heritage and landscape.
David Price, Three Wee Crows theatre group, said: ‘The venue was visually stunning, and the quality of the products and services on display was very high, an excellent showcase for Argyll.’ www.threeweecrows.co.uk.
With work on display ranging from jewellery to furniture design, printmaking to textiles, music to theatre, there was great engagement with the makers’ work and exciting new connections made between them, allowing everyone to take home their own piece of Argyll.
Find out more by visiting www.chartsargyllandisles.org; www.facebook.com/CHArtsArgyllandIsles; twitter.com/CHArtArgyllIsle and www.instagram.com/chartsargyllandisles