Art in Healthcare Newsletter
Summer 2008
Members’ Events
12 July 2008 - Visit to Mertoun House, near Melrose
We have organised a visit to see the private art collection of the Duke of Sutherland at Mertoun House in the Borders. Our vice-president, Dr Duncan Thomson, former keeper of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, will be our guide for the tour. Full details are in the enclosed flyer. The cost of the trip is £25 - please book early as we expect demand to be high.
Prestigious Print 2008
We are delighted to be able to announce that this year’s print will be made for us by Ian McKenzie Smith. Born in Montrose, Ian trained at Gray's School of Art and Design. He later went on to become Director of the Art Gallery in Aberdeen from 1968 to 1989. He became Aberdeen's City Arts and Recreation Officer from 1989 to 1996.
In 1992 he was awarded the OBE for his services to Art. From 1988 to 1998 he was President of the Royal Society of Watercolours and in 1991 up until 1998 he became Secretary of the Royal Scottish Academy. He is President of the Royal Scottish Academy.
Ian will make the print in the Aberdeen printmakers, Peacock Visual Arts and the limited edition will be for sale through Art in Healthcare in the Autumn. We will write to members with full details as soon as it is available.
Tell a Friend
If you are reading this Newsletter you are probably well aware of the benefits of membership of Art in Healthcare. For £20 a year (£35 for a couple) you get a regular Newsletter, invitations to exclusive events like the visit to Mertoun House (above) and the opportunity to buy prints by some of Scotland’s finest artists. So why not recruit a friend? Or a give gift subscription and you would be giving a present that would give pleasure for a whole year.
Please think about encouraging others to join as we rely on you to enable us to continue our valuable work in improving healthcare environments for patients, staff and visitors. Write, phone or email us at the address below.
Projects News
Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Edinburgh
Art in Healthcare has been funded by the MacRobert Trust and the Scottish Arts Council to commission site-specific artworks for the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion. We have allocated this funding towards one artist, Miriam Vickers and one poet, Gerry Loose, to create new work for the hospital. Through this project we aim to commission relevant, permanent artwork for the Eye Pavilion that patients and visitors at the hospital can enjoy and engage with for many years to come.
Radiotherapy Department, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee
In December 2007, NHS Tayside completed a new extension to their Radiotherapy Department at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. The aim was to provide new treatment rooms along with improved facilities for patients.
The new waiting area benefits from natural daylight. It has been formed with a south-west facing curved wall and planar windows that follow the profile of the curved structure. To enhance the design and create a welcoming environment for patients, Ninewells decided to commission new artworks. They have selected Art in Healthcare to organise and manage the commission.
We are inviting artists to send expressions of interest
in creating works for this area by 11 July 2008.
Full details from Margaret Hurcombe, tel: 0131 555 7638 or email
Staff Changes
There have been changes in the staff team since the previous Newsletter. Rose Strang and David Mackay have both left Art in Healthcare. David has taken up a full time appointment with The Ingleby Gallery. We have appointed a new Assistant Director, Trevor Jones.
Trevor is originally from Canada, is an artist and is currently finishing his degree at Edinburgh College of Art. As part of his course he wrote a thesis, Nature vs Nurture, in which he evaluated current research exploring the healing potential of nature, in particular landscape painting. Look out for Trevor’s work at Edinburgh College of Art’s 2008 degree show, from 14 to 24 June.
Tell us what you think
Love it? Hate it? Please let us know what you think about the Art in Healthcare Newsletter. Write, phone or email us at the address below.
Art in Healthcare , 32-36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 8RG Email:
Tel: 0131 555 7638 Fax: 0131 555 7639 www.artinhealthcare.org.uk