Enriching the Visual Culture

GILES SUTHERLAND reports on a pilot project to bring an arts trial to Sutherland
 

It seems only a matter of time before the visual arts in particular play a greater role in the creative and economic life of Sutherland.

The aim was to make artists’ work more accessible to a viewing and buying public and increase awareness of the artists’ activities. Skene comments that the scheme “…has great potential but its true benefit and role will only be proved over time…. I think the scope for increased marketing and the benefits this can bring to the local economy are very relevant and of considerable importance.”

Meechan adds that “the pilot went really well … all of the artists learnt something about marketing and promoting their work and about networking and doing things collaboratively … it has been an exercise in learning by doing.”

Joan Baxter, committee chair, says that “the open trail was a good start and gives us something to build on”. Other artists concur. Mark Edwards, an artist and illustrator based in Tongue says that “although the immediate benefits in terms of sales have been difficult to gauge – it has been a quiet season generally so far – the opportunity to be in touch with other artists and to be part of group has been helpful. I will certainly take part in future events if given the chance. Similar initiatives in Orkney and Skye have proved that this can work”
 

Martina Macleod-Gartler, a potter based in Balnakeil near Durness, agrees: “Although I did not notice any significant increase in sales the pilot project was useful in that it spurred me to collect images of my work and to write about it succinctly for the promotional material. We now have the beginnings of a network which can be built upon in future years”.