Tickets £1 each, £10 for a book of 10
Draw Date 29th February 2012

The President and Council are pleased to announce that during the Annual Exhibition in 2012, the three Societies (SSA, VAS and RSW) will be holding a combined raffle which will be drawn at the end of the Exhibition. Proceeds from the raffle will be divided between ESSA (50%) and the three societies (50%), with ESSA’s share being used to contribute directly towards the costs of hiring the RSA galleries for the annual exhibitions. On top of the rental costs of the gallery, the cost to the Societies of staging the annual exhibition continues to increase. All proceeds from the raffle will go towards ensuring we can continue to exhibit in the RSA galleries. Raffle tickets cost £1 each and come in books of 10.

 Prestigious raffle prizes include a portrait sitting with photographer Chris Park, a weekend Introduction to Woodcut course for adults at the Glasgow Print Studio, Calligraphy Workshop place with Zhang Chi at the Confucius Institute and a work of art by each of the three Society’s Presidents.  The full list of prizes is as follows;

• A 2-day course of the winner’s choice at the West Moss-side Centre, Thornhill, near Stirling.
• Complimentary pass for two to the next Cupar Arts Festival, including one overnight stay for two at a local B&B, dinner for two at Ostlers Close restaurant, entry for two to one concert in the programme, and two places on a workshop of your choice.
• Half day Raku Workshop offered by the Pottery Users Group at the South Bridge Resource Centre, Edinburgh during the 2012 Spring Session.
• One weekend Introduction to Woodcut course for adults – Beginners/Refresher at the Glasgow Print Studio.
• Portrait sitting for one successful winner with photographer Chris Park
• Two tickets for a lecture by Ian Rankin at Hospitalfield House, Arbroath
• Signed limited edition reproduction of a painting by an RSW Member
• A round of golf and Lunch for 4 – at the historic Falkirk Tryst Golf Club
• Calligraphy Workshop place with Zhang Chi at the Confucius Institute
• Friends of RSA membership for one year      
• Weekly Life Class for one term at Leith School of Art                                 
• Artists Book Making one day workshop with Rachel Hazel
• Weaving Workshop with James Donald     
•  A small painting by Louise Ritchie PSSA (pictured)
•  A small painting by Diana Hope PVAS
• A small painting by John Inglis PRSW

Following the success of last year’s event we have scheduled another Winter Warmer for Thursday 23^rd February. Like last year, there will be poetry, live music, and an artist ‘in conversation’ with  special star guest Candia McWilliam. We have an exciting ‘Brown Bag Bonanza’ fundraiser planned; 100 numbered paper bags will contain mystery original artworks and special prizes. Bags will cost £50, and the artists confirmed so far are;

These are available to reserve in advance, or to buy on the night, or from the sales desk throughout the exhibition.  Click *Here* to print an order form and reserve your Brown Bag.

Tickets for the Winter Warmer evening are £10 or £8 for VAS members. Click *Here* to print an order form and return with payment to the address on the form. Tickets will be sent out in advance of the event, and will also be available to purchase from the sales desk at the exhibition.

Image – Chi Zhang – Heavy Snow

• Download Winter Warmer and Brown Bag Bonanza order forms

VAS Annual Open Exhibition 2012
Sat 4th February – Thurs 1st March
RSA Upper Galleries, The Mound, Edinburgh

The President and Council of VAS are pleased to present the 2012 Annual Open Exhibition of visual and applied arts in the RSA’s prestigious upper galleries. This year we encouraged works on an ambitious scale to reflect the grandeur of this space, and the artists responded with an enthusiastic submission that could have filled the entire building. Over 850 submissions were had to be pared down to just 280.

We feel we have selected a vibrant, diverse exhibition which honours our commitment  both to our members and to the central aim of our society, which is to give an equal platform to the best work across all forms and traditions from Scotland’s contemporary artists and makers. We will once again be exhibiting and selling a dedicated showcase of handmade artist’s books and a wide array of exquisite jewellery, alongside a wealth of painting, printmaking, photography, textiles and much more.

 Our invited artists for 2012, Jessica Harrison and Andrea Geile are both sculptors, and their presence will enhance a strong submission of contemporary sculpture. Jessica Harrison’s carved ‘Touchstones’ installation explores the way in which we engage with objects and the space around us, examining the organization and hierarchy of the senses in making and experiencing sculpture. Andrea Geile’s ‘Vertical Biotopes’ are inspired by the controversial Denny to Beauly power line development and raises questions about the beauty, use and sustainability of man-made structures in the landscape.

Winter Warmer

We will build on the great success of last years Winter Warmer fundraising event with another similar event on Thursday 23rd February 2012. Special guests will include Candia McWilliam and there will be poetry from the Scottish Poetry Library, as well as a new exciting fundraiser – the Brown Bag Bonanza! Mystery brown bags, each containing a valuable artwork or special prize, can be bought for £50 each. Participating artists so far include Victoria Crowe, Barbara Rae and Ian Rankin. Tickets to the evening are £8 for VAS members and £10 for non members. Click *HERE* for details on how to buy tickets and Brown Bags.

This installation comprises of a series of stone sculptures exhibited alongside video documentation of the making process. Starting with a hand-sized ball of soft clay, the subject (a different person for each sculpture) works blindly; pushing, folding, manipulating the clay and the felt space. The video footage shows the subject’s face during this process, taken whilst the clay was manipulated, juxtaposed to explore the relationship between sight and touch, between our visual and our tactile imagination. The sculptures are scaled up from the initial clay impressions that fit within the palm of the hand into carved stone, to a size around which the whole body can wrap itself. This size stems from the traditional use of the human body as a unit of measure, the scale of the pieces comparable to the weight and density of the human body. Like the nature of the Homunculus, shifting shape proportional to the magnitude of sensation in feels, its shape controlled by sensation, the Touchstones magnify moments of touch and the measurements of a body’s tactility, impressing into stone the movements of the hand, describing the movement of the body that is intertwined with sensation.

Andrea Geile; Vertical Biotopes.

“The catalyst for this group of sculptures is the new Beauly to Denny power line. I began to wonder if there could be any benefit in leaving some of the old transmission towers in situ to be recycled into ecosystems, replacing lost forests and ever decreasing habitats – instead of being scrapped. Through colonising the structures with native plants I aim to create a positive approach to questions about the beauty, use and sustainability of man made structures in the landscape.

Working mainly for outdoor spaces, using sculptural techniques and live plants, my practice explores how we have shaped and utilised landscapes for our political, economic and spiritual needs. ‘Vertical Biotopes’ is an idea, formed by memory of nature and cultural identity. The small scale of these sculptures plays with visual expectation and allows for reflection on diverse discourses such as the role of monumental public art and the historic romanticisation of landscape.

The word ‘biotope’ describes a limited area of specific ecology and includes a complete environmental approach. It is a keyword for the preservation, regeneration, and creation of natural environmental settings.”

The Exhibiting Societies of Scottish Artists (ESSA) is once again supporting the three societies in it’s latest fundraising venture. ESSA have amassed no fewer that 300 small, affordable artworks by members of VAS, SSA and RSW, which will be on sale at one of Scotland’s most artistically diverse selling events. Join us from the 18th – 20th November to find creative meaningful Christmas gifts at affordable prices, or something to finish off your own home in time to receive all your festive visitors! All funds will go towards the cost of hiring the RSA Galleries for the three societies’ respective Annual Exhibitions in 2013. Prices start from £75!

The venue is at Threshold Artspace, Perth Theatre, 185 High Street, Perth PH1 5UW.  The exhibition is open from 24th October 2011  to  20th February 2012, Monday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm or until 10pm on performance evenings  (closed Sunday).  www.horsecross.co.uk

For further details and information on PVAF, visit the web site at  www.pvaf.org.uk

Artists have engaged with many aspects of Place, from their own gardens to their upbringing, incidental and particular landscapes and buildings, from remote woodland to major cities. The media used include, painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, digital images, screenprinting, etching,  book form and videoShelagh Atkinson’s screenprints engage with her own communist upbringing with images,  a book form  and video  referring to  St Petersburg.

The exhibition opens at Leith School of Art onFriday 29th October between 7pm and 9pm.  Jenny is giving a short talk about her ideas, sketchbooks and printmaking practice at 7pm. 

In addition there is an open afternoon on Sunday30th October 2pm – 5pm.  Coffee and cake provided, all are welcome.  

If you are not able to come along to either of these events, the show is open Monday – Saturday 9am – 4.30pm between 29th October and 9th December.

evening classes
Introduction to Etching
Tuesday 4 October, – 8 November, 6 week class, 6-9pm, £165/£115 concession

Introduction to Plate Lithography       
Wednesday 26 October – 23 November, 5 week class, 6-9pm, £145/£97 concession

Introduction to Printmaking
Thursday 10 November – 8 December, 5 week class, 6-9pm, £145/£97 concession

one day workshops
radical print workshop, Saturday 8 October, 11am – 4pm, £55/£40
photo etching masterclass, Saturday 22 October, 10am – 5pm, £70/£45 concession

weekend courses
Introduction to Etching, 8 & 9 October
Stone Lithography, 15 & 16 October
Digital imaging and Photo Lithography, 29 & 30 October
Photopolymer & Solarplate, 5 & 6 November
Colour plate lithography, 26 & 27 November

Weekend courses: Saturday and Sunday 10am-5.30 pm, £145/£97 conc.

Free membership
All weekend and evening education courses include a free associate membership of Edinburgh Printmakers for 3 months, allowing you to put into practice the skills you have learnt on the course. As an associate member you only need to pay a session fee each time you use the studio, *excludes one day workshops.

Gift vouchers are available for courses and prints. Treat someone you love to an Edinburgh Printmaker’s gift voucher.

How to book
To book a place on a course please contact:
enquiries@edinburgh-printmakers.co.uk or telephone us on 0131 557 2479.
Full payment must be made in advance to book a place on one of Edinburgh Printmaker’s education courses.

Everyone  welcome.  Admission free, but booking essential.  Refreshments will be served. 

The Danish Cultural Institute, 3 Doune Terrace, Edinburgh, EH3 6DY. T: 0131 2257189, E : event@dancult.co.uk

Multiplied showcases the best in contemporary art editions and this year we are attending in partnership with Dundee Contemporary Arts, Glasgow Print Studio and Peacock Visual Arts as Contemporary Editions Scotland. The fair runs from 13 to 17 October 2011. We hope you will visit our stand to view new editions by Art & Language, Alasdair Gray and Jeremy Deller.