SCAN members meet MSPs and MPs in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fife

Across the country, creative workshops provide making facilities and expertise in a network unique to Scotland, allowing open access to equipment that allows artists of all stages in their career to make work. From print and photography to ceramics and sculpture, the creation of artworks and sharing of skills is nurtured across the country. In turn, much of the work generated in these open access workshops is enjoyed in free-to-access public galleries and spaces, both locally and internationally. 

We wanted to share this story with our MSPs and newly elected MPs, through our annual SCAN member visits with politicians and policy makers. This series of visits in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fife highlighted the role that artists and arts organisations have in improving our everyday lives, and the impact that learning skills from artists and taking part in creative activities can have on health and happiness. They also helped us to start building crucial relationships with this year’s new intake of MPs.

Paul Sweeney learns about chine collee at Glasgow Print StudioFollowing his 2022 visit to Glasgow Print Studio’s 50th anniversary exhibition at Kelvingrove, we encouraged Paul Sweeney, regional MSP for Glasgow, to visit the GPS workshops in Trongate 103, to see where these wonderful works were created. 

Director Claire Forsyth introduced us to GPS members who were making collographs, etchings and screenprints. Paul learned more about the projects that artists in the workshop were working on alongside the culture of generosity, of sharing skills, ideas and time.

At Edinburgh Printmakers, MP for Edinburgh South West Scott Arthur met with staff and members to delve into the many technical processes that take place in the workshop on a daily basis. Head of Editions Alasdair Clarke showed Scott an edition of lithographs he was currently working on for artist Andrew McKenzie, and explained how workshops such as Edinburgh Printmakers are working hard to keep lithography alive in contemporary art production, after it has been highlighted as an ‘at risk’ craft.

Both printmaking workshops have sizeable archives spanning the last 50 years, demonstrating the reach and calibre of artists that they have worked with over time at a local and international level. 

Martin Rhodes, MP for Glasgow North, enjoyed a tour of Glasgow Sculpture Studios, the largest art production facility in Scotland. Alongside providing fabrication facilities for members and resident artists, they also provide permanent studio space for artists working in sculpture. Team members Olivia McHugh and Mark McQueen, alongside director Mhairi Sawyer, shared how access is at the heart at everything GSS does – with engagement extending to the immediate community and those who wish to learn through their educational programme. Artist Nathan Coley kindly gave Martin a tour of his studio, stating that although he works internationally, access to the GSS workshop and a secure studio space is paramount for him and the people that he employs to help fabricate his work. 

A trip to St Monans, Fife allowed us to meet new SCAN member Space to Breathe, an annual festival and exhibition at the popular local venue, Bowhouse. This year’s exhibition was the first ever retrospective of work by painter Sheila Girling, featuring over 70 of her works from the 1970s onwards.  

Wendy Chamberlain, MP for North East Fife, enjoyed meeting Space to Breathe curator Sophie Camu, hearing more about the organisation’s aim to champion women artists such as Girling whose painting career experienced a hiatus whilst she raised her children. Chamberlain heard how collaging workshops helped to introduce local families to making methods used in the work on show, whilst local press and much love shared on social media for the project attracted a UK wide audience to the area. 

We’ll continue to liaise with elected members and share examples of how artists can help strengthen communities and how artistic work can support a wider range of voices to be heard and appreciated in Scotland with policy makers. 

While we work behind the scenes on some of the thorny issues, such as funding for the arts in Scotland, we want to continue to build positivity to remind politicians of the reasons that culture matters and make sure the contribution and needs of artists are right at the heart of that discussion. 

Images:

  1. Janet Archer, Director of Edinburgh Printmakers meets Scott Arthur MP. Background artwork by Ade Adesina.
  2. Paul Sweeney MSP learns about the Chine Colle process from artist Lin Chau and the Glasgow Print Studio team.
  3. Scott Arthur MP Speaks to Jordan McQuaid, James Harrison and Janet Archer in the Edinburgh Printmakers workshop.
  4. Martin Rhodes MP learns more about the Glasgow Sculpture Studios workshop with Olivia McHugh, Mark McQueen and Mhairi Sawyer.
  5. The Art and life of Sheila Girling at Bowhouse, St Monans.