A programme of films by the Orcadian filmaker Margaret Tait is to be screened in her former workplace in Rendall. Two separate screenings representing over 45 years of work will be shown at Orquil Studio between 19 and 22 June. The events are being presented by The Pier Arts Centre in collaboration with LUX London and the current owners of Orquil Studio, Alan and Nichola Watson. The presentation coincides with and forms part of this years St Magnus Festival.

Margaret Tait (1918 – 1999) was one of Britain’s most intriguing and individual filmmakers. She studied at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome during the height of the neorealist movement, before founding her own film company, Ancona Films, and returning to Scotland in the 1950's.

Over 46 years she produced more than 30 films, including one feature, Blue Black Permanent (1992). Subjects and Sequences concentrates on Margaret Tait’s shorter films including The Drift Back (1956), a documentary commissioned by Orkney District Council following the return of families to Orkney, Hugh Macdairmid – A Portrait (1964) and Garden Pieces (1998) Tait’s last film.

The venue for the screenings, Orquil Studio, was Margaret Tait's base in Orkney from 1984 until her death in 1999.

Subjects and Sequences, curated by film maker Peter Todd, provides a unique opportunity to experience some of Tait's most important films in her own place of work and follows the publication of a book detailing Margaret Tait’s artistic achievement, both as a filmaker and poet. The book, A Margaret Tait Reader, was part published by the Pier Arts Centre in 2004.

Director of the Pier Arts Centre Neil Firth said “The Pier Arts Centre has, over many years, been pleased to present the work of Margaret Tait on a number of different occasions. Shortly before her death in 1999 we were preparing to show Garden Pieces as part of a world premier of simultaneous showings in far flung venues including Canada and we are delighted to be able to bring these screenings to Orkney.”

Elsewhere in the festival Neil Gillespie, Design Director of Reiach and Hall Architects and Principal Architect for the Pier Arts Centre redevelopment will give a talk touching on the project and the wider implications of architectural developments

As visitors to Stromness will be aware the Pier Arts Centre, off Victoria Street, has been transformed from its usual oasis of calm and artistic activity into a complex building site as part of the regeneration of the gallery.

The talk, which is sponsored by Pentarq, will take place in Stromness Church Hall on Saturday 18 June at 3pm.