The Cromarty Arts Trust has appointed their first employee.  Andrea Muir has taken up the post of Part-time Administrator and will be based in The Stables Studios in Cromarty.
Andrea, who lives in Dingwall, has been working mainly as a feature writer for Channel 4’s Ideasfactory and also leads the WEA affiliated Ross-shire Writers’ group.

‘I’m really excited about my new job,’ said Andrea.  ‘I’ll have my work cut out getting the office up and running but once all the necessary organisational systems are put in place – the fun can begin!’

The Stables Studios provides studio space for seven artists, a flat for artists in residence, and can be used as a venue for various arts related events.  The studio spaces, established in the Stables workshops in 2002, have already become an exciting hub of artistic activity.

‘The trustees have been working very hard and have been successful in helping local artists to develop professional careers as well as bringing other artists to Cromarty,’ says Andrea.  ‘Now, The Stables is in a position to develop further.  We want every kind of visual art as well as writers and musicians, and if we can do something that at some point brings all of these together at the same time, then I’ll be very happy.  Cromarty is such an amazing place and already buzzing with good ideas and enthusiastic individuals.  We want local people of all ages to be involved as well as people from further afield.’

The Cromarty Arts Trust was set up in 1987 to conserve buildings of historical or architectural importance and conserve the natural environment, as well as advancing education, encourage cultural development and stimulate public interest in the history, character, beauty and wildlife of the area.

John Nightingale, chairman of the Cromarty Arts Trust, said:
"I am delighted that Andrea Muir is joining the Cromarty Arts Trust. Her appointment is part of the Trust's strategy to develop its arts programme at the Stables.  Previously, we have organised a series of summer artist-in-residencies at the Stables and, in connection with that programme, commissioned a number of works; these include the much admired four metre high Emigration Stone on the Cromarty Links inscribed with Hugh Miller's words by the leading international artist Richard Kindersley. We are proud of these achievements and are keen to continue to build on them with new initiatives which Andrea will be able to implement."