Strathpeffer art fair still in frame as activists pull together
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The Strathpeffer Pavilion event has become an eagerly anticipated staple of the county calendar in recent years, though its future was in doubt after the venue changed management.
But it was confirmed this week that the November event will go ahead thanks to the joint efforts of community volunteers and staff at High Life Highland, the charity operated by Highland Council to run many of its leisure centres.
Speaking about this year’s fundraising event, Margaret Macdonald, one of the volunteers said: “Having been involved in the art fair in previous years we were concerned that the event might not go ahead due to the management changes at the Spa Pavilion earlier in the year.
“So we were delighted when High Life Highland staff picked up on the importance of the event and agreed that they should work with a group of volunteers to ensure it went ahead.
“We are absolutely delighted that local surrealist Michael Forbes has offered to display some of his more quirky and colourful works at the event in November.
“In previous years the fair has displayed well over 300 original works by more than a hundred artists based across the Highlands and Islands, and attracting around 1500 visitors.
“So we are hopeful that this year’s event will be every bit as popular as before, with confirmation from artists such as Frances Baxter, Mary Black, Clair Blois, Nicola MacDonnell, Jennifer Mackenzie, Janis Mennie, Christine O’Keefe, Gordon Rennie and Nick Vaughan, with more confirming their participation every day.”
Black Isle-based Forbes’s work will be a big attraction for visitors.
In January his painting of Donald Trump depicted as King Kong, sitting on the head of the Statue of Liberty in the form of singer and actress Madonna, went viral when Madonna posted it on her Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Ian Murray, High Life Highland’s chief executive said: “The Spa Pavilion art fair has been an integral event at the historic venue in the village.
“We were therefore very keen to work with the volunteers previously involved in the event to make sure it happened this year.
“I’m pleased that through a collaborative approach, the fair is already attracting a number of artists from the Highlands and Islands and that it will be as popular as it has been in previous years.”
The fair will be open to the public from Thursday to Sunday, November 23 to 26. Further details regarding the event will be posted on the pavilion’s website.
n Artists wanting to be considered to exhibit should email the organisers at events@highlifehighland.com by October 15.
