Ross music stalwart remembered with award
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A ROSS artist’s contribution to the north music and wider arts world has been recognised with a Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame Community Service Award.
Caroline Hewat, who died in December last year, was arts the development manager for the Cromarty Arts Trust for several years, where she introduced the town’s annual Harp Village, the Crime & Thrillers Weekend and organised workshops and concerts.
She was also the manager of Balnain House in Inverness, during its period as the Home of Highland Music, serving as a museum of music, concert venue and education centre.
She continued to make an impact of the Highland music scene as North of Scotland development worker for the Traditional Music and Song Association, and more recently was on the board of Fèis Rois and co-ordinated many hundreds of singing and instrumental workshops at the Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow.
Caroline also ran community choirs in Muir of Ord and Rosemarkie while maintaining her career as a painter and exhibiting throughout Scotland and beyond.
A trust is now being set up in her memory to help support artists who live, work or input creatively into the Black Isle.
Her daughter Corrina, who is a well known harp player and singer and co-founder of the bands The Unusual Suspects and Shine, said: "Caroline was all about the community, strengthening relationships with the folk who lived there, the connection to the land, the history, the ever-changing landscape through supporting artists, creating art, giving art a place to grow and inspiring art in many forms.
"She was an amazing woman. And so likeable too, with a big smile that lit up a room and a laugh to match. She was glad to be told of her Service to the Community award, although was shy in being so recognised: ‘Och, I’m just doing what I love doing’!"
Caroline is one of six new Service to Community Award winners inducted to the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, set up to recognise individuals that work tirelessly to help their community and enrich the lives of others through selfless service or charitable work.
• For information on how to donate to the Caroline Hewat Memorial Fund, email corrinahewat@me.com
