Welcome
OPEN 2018, SSA + VAS Together.
It is with great pleasure that we introduce you to the many delights offered by this one-off, collaborative venture between the Society of Scottish Artists and Visual Arts Scotland. For the first time in our long histories we have joined forces, combining our expertise and experience, to create one cohesive and carefully conceived show, which we believe to be the very best in contemporary art and design.
Working together has given us a unique insight into how the two historic societies operate, making us both stronger and better. The openness and generosity offered by both organisations have been inspirational and we hope this sends a clear message: OPEN 2018 is the best possible showcase for our members, collaborators and visitors. We believe strongly that we have created a show which everyone can be proud of: dynamic, forward thinking, courageous and beautifully presented.
At the core of OPEN 2018 is the joint open selection. We were overwhelmed by the volume and quality of the submissions, and we’d like to thank everyone who submitted work. As well as this, however, we have preserved within the exhibition certain projects, partnerships and collaborations unique to each society.
Both societies sent teams to the main Scottish art schools to offer ten exhibition awards to recent graduates of the highest quality. The resulting work is stunning, and testimony to the current vibrancy of our great Scottish art education system.
In 2017 the SSA continued to extend its reach beyond the central areas of Scotland. By co-opting to council members in the Outer Hebrides, Caithness, Sutherland and the Border Regions of Scotland, it is fostering new artist-led projects and partnerships, such as Làrach, a Hebrides Showcase, an on-going collaboration with An Lanntair arts centre in Stornaway. The SSA is developing new international exhibition opportunities, exchanges and residencies across Europe and beyond for its members, whilst maintaining strong relationships with studios prominent within the international printmaking community: organisations such as Eichstätt Lithography Studio in Germany and Engramme, Montreal. The SSA is delighted to work once more with New Media Scotland in the production of Sven Werner’s ambitious immersive installation Observer Cinema.
Visual Arts Scotland is collaborating for the second time with Craft Scotland, celebrating this year the work of three innovative and ambitious glass artists who challenge common perceptions of their medium: Andrew Horsely, Carrie Fertig and Jeff Zimmer. VAS is also very pleased to announce the inaugural Inches Carr Mentoring Award for mid-career makers: £5000 to an artist and an additional £2000 to a mentor who will work with the winner to consider innovation and new materials. The shortlisted artists are Jo Pudelko, Ffion Bletch, Amanda Baron and Vicky Higginson.
We would like to sincerely thank everyone involved from our selection, hanging, arranging and installation teams. These teams consist of elected SSA members and VAS council members, along with many tireless volunteers. Everyone has contributed immense levels of time, enthusiasm and passion to all aspects of the production of this show.
We would also like to extend deep gratitude to each and every one of our generous prize givers, who add so much to the exhibitions. This year, the Exhibiting Societies of Scotland (RSW, SSA and VAS) would like to welcome a significant new gift of £120000 for the arts in Scotland, to be presented over a 10-year period: the W Gordon Smith and Mrs Jay Gordon Smith Award. Every year an artist from each exhibiting society will be selected to receive the sum of £4000. In Open 2018, two awards will be given, across all art forms. This is an outstanding opportunity for artists and makers.
Finally, both the SSA and VAS are charitable organisations, run by – and for – artists. If you are an artist and you appreciate what we do, why not join up? There are many benefits of membership, too many to list here. If you value the vitality of the arts in Scotland please support us in any way you can; buy the catalogue, get involved with us, make a donation, or (best of all) invest in one of the artworks on show.
Many thanks.
Sharon Quigley, President SSA
Andrew Mackenzie, President VAS
It is with great pleasure that we introduce you to the many delights offered by this one-off, collaborative venture between the Society of Scottish Artists and Visual Arts Scotland. For the first time in our long histories we have joined forces, combining our expertise and experience, to create one cohesive and carefully conceived show, which we believe to be the very best in contemporary art and design.
Working together has given us a unique insight into how the two historic societies operate, making us both stronger and better. The openness and generosity offered by both organisations have been inspirational and we hope this sends a clear message: OPEN 2018 is the best possible showcase for our members, collaborators and visitors. We believe strongly that we have created a show which everyone can be proud of: dynamic, forward thinking, courageous and beautifully presented.
At the core of OPEN 2018 is the joint open selection. We were overwhelmed by the volume and quality of the submissions, and we’d like to thank everyone who submitted work. As well as this, however, we have preserved within the exhibition certain projects, partnerships and collaborations unique to each society.
Both societies sent teams to the main Scottish art schools to offer ten exhibition awards to recent graduates of the highest quality. The resulting work is stunning, and testimony to the current vibrancy of our great Scottish art education system.
In 2017 the SSA continued to extend its reach beyond the central areas of Scotland. By co-opting to council members in the Outer Hebrides, Caithness, Sutherland and the Border Regions of Scotland, it is fostering new artist-led projects and partnerships, such as Làrach, a Hebrides Showcase, an on-going collaboration with An Lanntair arts centre in Stornaway. The SSA is developing new international exhibition opportunities, exchanges and residencies across Europe and beyond for its members, whilst maintaining strong relationships with studios prominent within the international printmaking community: organisations such as Eichstätt Lithography Studio in Germany and Engramme, Montreal. The SSA is delighted to work once more with New Media Scotland in the production of Sven Werner’s ambitious immersive installation Observer Cinema.
Visual Arts Scotland is collaborating for the second time with Craft Scotland, celebrating this year the work of three innovative and ambitious glass artists who challenge common perceptions of their medium: Andrew Horsely, Carrie Fertig and Jeff Zimmer. VAS is also very pleased to announce the inaugural Inches Carr Mentoring Award for mid-career makers: £5000 to an artist and an additional £2000 to a mentor who will work with the winner to consider innovation and new materials. The shortlisted artists are Jo Pudelko, Ffion Bletch, Amanda Baron and Vicky Higginson.
We would like to sincerely thank everyone involved from our selection, hanging, arranging and installation teams. These teams consist of elected SSA members and VAS council members, along with many tireless volunteers. Everyone has contributed immense levels of time, enthusiasm and passion to all aspects of the production of this show.
We would also like to extend deep gratitude to each and every one of our generous prize givers, who add so much to the exhibitions. This year, the Exhibiting Societies of Scotland (RSW, SSA and VAS) would like to welcome a significant new gift of £120000 for the arts in Scotland, to be presented over a 10-year period: the W Gordon Smith and Mrs Jay Gordon Smith Award. Every year an artist from each exhibiting society will be selected to receive the sum of £4000. In Open 2018, two awards will be given, across all art forms. This is an outstanding opportunity for artists and makers.
Finally, both the SSA and VAS are charitable organisations, run by – and for – artists. If you are an artist and you appreciate what we do, why not join up? There are many benefits of membership, too many to list here. If you value the vitality of the arts in Scotland please support us in any way you can; buy the catalogue, get involved with us, make a donation, or (best of all) invest in one of the artworks on show.
Many thanks.
Sharon Quigley, President SSA
Andrew Mackenzie, President VAS
IMAGE: MAJA QUILLE, THE BOY, PHOTO DITTE SOLGAARD DUNN