New artistic chapter for Tigh Alasdair Ruaraidh

A WONDERFUL artistic idyll has been created in South Lochs as The Artists’ Workshop at Tigh Alasdair Ruaraidh, 1 Garyvard, finally opened its doors to the public on Saturday August 9.

The brainchild of Aberdeen’s Rendezvous Gallery owner Duane Mead – who bought the derelict property a number of years ago and has since financed and overseen its restoration – The Artists’ Workshop offers something new to the islands’ art scene: not only a place of quiet to contemplate and find inspiration, but also a handy residence to allow both island and visiting mainland artists the chance to truly get away from it all.

“I’m really pleased with how it has all turned out,” said Duane.

“The community is also appreciative as it’s the first business of this type to go into South Lochs. I think we’ve put some vitality into this peninsula.”

Having lain empty for 15 years before purchased by Duane, Tigh Alasdair Ruaraidh is historically one of the most important buildings on the South Lochs peninsula.

Until the 1930s there was no road to the Lochs district, meaning all supplies from Stornoway arrived by boat to the loch-side quay situated next to the house. There was also a general store next to Tigh Alasdair Ruaraidh which was the source of supplies for the local community.

In addition, in 1938, the house became the centre for a local religious revival with meetings held next to the shore until the Second World War began in 1939.

Now, this latest use of Tigh Alasdair Ruaraidh sees yet another chapter added to its history – one which looks set to run long into the future and has already proved influential in the development of island art.

During the past two years a series of mainland and island artists’ residencies have taken place at the renovated house and byre-turned-studio, and island artists have also had the opportunity to exhibit their work in The Rendezvous Gallery through ‘The Gaelic Connection Exhibition No 1’.

The bonds between east and west coast are to be further strengthened by ‘The Gaelic Connection Exhibition No 2’, due to take place in The Rendezvous Gallery next month; and The Artists’ Workshop looks set to be kept busy next year with interest from both the RSW (Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour) and the RSA (Royal Scottish Academy).

“To have both academies involved puts the workshop at the high academic and artistic level and it’s something I never expected,” admitted Duane.

“The President of the RSA has visited the house and the studio and is very excited by them. They are now considering the establishment of a two week residency next year and the RSW will also be setting up a one week residency, subsidised by Martin Gilbert of Aberdeen Asset Management.”

At present, The Artists’ Workshop is being managed and enjoyed by local artist Sandra Kennedy.

“It is lovely, really peaceful and right on the shore of this little peninsula. I’ve spent the day painting and watching the tide go in and out, it’s wonderful,” she said of the workshop’s inspiring location.

“It’s great to have something in this area as there has been nothing so far and now there is a really good connection to mainland artists, and also a place for people to look at and buy mainland artists’ work alongside what is being created by island artists.”

Hebridean artists featuring in the Workshop project and Gaelic Connection exhibitions alongside Sandra include Willie Fulton, Simon Rivett, Anne Campbell, Kenneth Murray, Moira MacLean, Christine Dodd, Jon Macleod, Emma Drye, and Kenneth Burns.

And Artists in Residence from the mainland include Frances Walker, RSA, RSW, Ann Patrick, Liz Myhill, Barry McGlashan, Jenny Hunter, Tom Mabon, Anthony Campbell, Wei Li Zhu, Ross Brown, Gordon Bryce and RSW president John Ingles.

Open to the public, Tuesdays to Saturdays, until September 15, The Artists’ Workshop currently boasts a total of 55 works by both mainland and local artists, with one topic dominating the show – the Western Isles.

“It’s quite a nice contrast seeing mainland artists’ works next to islanders,” commented local artist Moira MacLean, who enjoyed a residency at Tigh Alasdair Ruaraidh in May this year.

“You see the different points of view – those that live here see the island differently to those who visit – and it makes for a very interesting and enjoyable exhibition.”

Already proving a success, the potential for Tigh Alasdair Ruaraidh is visibly stunning, as An Lanntair Arts Centre director, Roddy Murray, commented: “It’s a workshop yes, in a fairly basic sense, but what makes it different and special is that it’s a residence. It allows artists the time, the space, the place to clear their heads, re-focus and re-boot. Artists need inspiration and it’s there in abundance.”

He continued expanding on the positives such a project has already brought, and will continue to bring, to the South Lochs area: “Duane deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done.

“He took over a semi-derelict property and transformed it. It could easily have been yet another holiday home – empty most of the year – but it’s a bespoke regeneration that has breathed life into the area bringing in a turnover of new people on a monthly basis.

“Importantly too, they actually engage with the place. It’s one more reasons to take that turning at the Balallan road-end and explore South Lochs, which I think is one of the least visited but most interesting areas of the island.

“All the artists in residence there subsequently become ambassadors for the place.”

Roddy added: “It’s become a part of the community there I think. Perhaps those of us from the island can sometimes take things for granted a bit, but the mainland artists who come here – and they include academicians and national figures – feel they are somewhere truly special.”

Eilidh Whitford

Stornoway Gazette

Thursday, August 21, 2008