Olympics…

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Andy Ross

The Olympics have officially kicked off in Shetland with the announcement of a new song specially commissioned to celebrate by Brian Nicholson and news of rehearsals for the song. If you ten and older and you fancy joining in, come along to Islesburgh on Sunday May 27th for the first rehearsal at 2pm. The contact for the project is Izzy Swanson on 01595 744 017 or email izzy.swanson@shetland.gov.uk. It is going to be a really fantastic chance to join in something special right at the very start of the celebrations.

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The Shetland Gallery

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Andy Ross

Up here in the north, we are very lucky to have the new Shetland Gallery, showing the best of Shetland art and craft from the stylish space in Yell. Shona and Alan have just launched their new website; have a look at www.shetlandgallery.com.

The Shetland Gallery is currently showing paintings and jewellery, sculpture and beautiful handknitted scarves and gloves. The pieces are all made by local artists and craftspeople, with love and passion for the islands; we are very pleased to have the Gallery as neighbours.

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Jazz Circus

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Andy Ross

Tickets for the performances on June 9th are now on sale. Get yours at Shetland Box Office!

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Our summer textile plans

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Andy Ross

It is going to be a season of activity this year in Sellafirth. Sarah Dearlove is back this week for a couple of months to do more on her PhD which is looking at Shetland weaving, and we also have three weavers coming up to stay over the next few months. In fact, July and August are the busiest we have ever been with all accommodation at booked, and all the looms in use at the Centre.

We enjoy people dropping in to visit us, and this summer would be a good one for people to come along and chat to the weavers. Our weavers are international this year; Hungary, Scotland, Ireland and England are all represented.

To visit us, simply drop into Sellafirth (on the way to Gutcher in Yell) or call ahead to make sure we are around. The telephone number is 01957 744 355 and the email is globalyell@btconnect.com.

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71000 knitted squares and a challenge

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Andy Ross

Alzheimer Scotland and Shetland Arts have teamed up to bring us a world-record attempt. If you fancy being part of the challenge to raise awareness of dementia, you could contribute a knitted series of ten 10cm x 10cm squares or 10cm x 10cm squares sewn into a 1 metre by 1 metre blanket to the project, which will go towards forming a giant blanket 710 square metres in area, representing the number of people who had dementia in 2010.

To contribute, send or take your knitted pieces to Shetland Arts by May 30th. The finished blanket will be displayed and then donated to charity as rugs.

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Birds, real and imagined…

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Andy Ross

Summer is the time for birds and visitors, and this week we have had a few of both from England, some from Orkney and one or two from further afield. Overhead, the larks are singing and the curlews are calling and I have spent a happy morning with Chris and Paul Czainski, artists from Yorkshire who got me all excited about performance art pieces with birdcages and birds, and grass weaving, New Orleans, Thai tea and murals. Paul and Chris are resident at Wasps studio, The Booth in Scalloway for a month and are eager to meet new folk. If you fancy a cuppa, pop along to the studio.

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Collect this weekend…

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Andy Ross

If you are in London this weekend, pay a visit to Collect, the Crafts Council’s contemporary craft showcase. Collect is at the Saatchi Gallery from 11th May to the 14th, and is quite simply, the best place to see and buy craft.  For more information, see the website for the Crafts Council.

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Is it a bird? Is it a robot? No, it’s…a condor!

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Andy Ross

Just on the Shetland Arts website comes the news that one of the highlights of the summer is going to be a robotic bird which will tour the islands and meet the communities of Shetland. Normally, I would say “Robotic Birds! A dime a dozen up here!” but this one is special. Anybody can visit and play to the condor which will remix the music back to the gifter. The pieces of music will also be made into a performance by a local musician in Lerwick. I have a mind to go and sing a Shetland song or two to it…

The idea reminds us of the plastic parrots that you used to be able to buy, which repeated everything you said in an electronic voice while flapping their wings. It is going to be a great spectacle and really, really fun for everyone. Watch the website for details.

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Manufacturing…

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Andy Ross

Well, you wait for opportunities and suddenly loads come all at once. Next weekend, there is a morning business event about manufacturing which includes talks by Cecil Tait of Paperwark, Jay Hawkins of Shetland Cheese, and Joanna Hunter of Ninian.  The event is in Islesburgh on the 12th May, from 9am, and there will be other organisations attending including from the Shetland Business Network.

For more information, see making manufacturing matter.

 

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Readying us all for autumn and winter 2013!

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Andy Ross

This June, the ever-popular trend workshops by Anne Ritchie are coming up. Anne is joined by Anne Ferguson who will be giving a colour workshop, and these look really great events for anyone who is in fashion or wants to design for a trendy market. For more information, go to the Hi-Arts website and book your place. The Lerwick dates are June 14th and 15th while other workshop dates are listed below. The events are free to businesses in the HIE area, an added bonus!

Inverness Wednesday 6 June 2012
Inverness Thursday 7 June 2012
Stornoway 11 and 12 June 2012
Kirkwall 18 and 19 June 2012


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