Bright Sparks

Bright sparks, creative hands, young minds. Working with three local artists - Colm Docherty, Sam Jones and Sandi Kiehlmann.....

...local kids explore their creativity - discovering textures, drawing and sketching built  and natural environment, using natural materials as artistic tools and resources and more....

These workshops were run as part of the beautiful and extraordinary Julie Brook exhibition at the Burgh Hall Dunoon - art inspiring art inspiring our bright sparks.

All images are ©Burgh Hall Dunoon and Powan Ltd - If you would like a print of any of these or other images on the blog or to find out more about my work, please contact me at www.therainboweffect.co.uk or powanmedia@gmail.com for details on sizes and prices, and please feel free to post a comment! Feedback is always gratefully received - thanks for reading!!

Robert Stewart - An Argyll Artist

Described as 'one of the foremost British designers of the second half of the 20th century', Robert (Bob) Stewart was a prolific and immensely productive Argyll artist and designer, as well as Head of Textiles and Design at Glasgow School of Art. His work spans textiles, ceramics, graphics, fine art, murals, mosaics and tapestries - his output was extraordinary. 

Stunning 'Raimoult' fabric hanging in the Burgh Hall

A fraction of his extraordinarily diverse and beautiful output can be seen at a small but extensive exhibition at the Burgh Hall, Dunoon. Thanks to the hard work of curator Anne E. Ferguson,herself an artist and ex-student of Bob, this visually stunning exhibition has 'come home' to Cowal.  

Cushions made with Ardentinny (left) and Macrahanish (right) Linen Union fabrics

 The show is a treat for the eyes, with many references to Bob's love of his home environment in Cowal and Argyll, especially his striking textiles named after local places such as Kilmun or Glendaruel.

Anne E. Ferguson introduces Jimmy Cosgrove, a colleague and contemporary of
Robert Stewart who opened the exhibition

Small selection of Robert Stewart's ceramics

Running until 30th September you won't be disappointed if you pop in to have a look at one of Argyll's finest artists.

Detail from ceramic mural (1967), once displayed at the Douglas Academy
now needing a home!

More fabrics! (Top & left), Kilmun Linen Union, small 'Sun Man' cushion (right) &
'Striven' (front)

They came, they saw, they had a great time!

The dust has finally settled, the reports and evaluations are nearly complete and the time has come to now say that this years Cowal Open Studios was a roaring success - in excess of 2000 visitors over the weekend and a total visitor spend of around £18k. The feedback from visitors and participants has been overwhelmingly positive and I think I can safely say that COS 2009 was a fantastic event!

The additional events at the Hall on the Saturday went down really well-the singing workshop was such a hit that the singers have been meeting regularly to exercise their vocal cords-and workshops were well attended. The concert in the evening was a foot stompin' crowd pleaser and the highlight of the weekend!

So onward-the battle for funding starts here. Cowal Open Studios is key in promoting the work of artists in this most beautiful part of Scotland and is a vital and vibrant part of the Cultural Tourism Industry in Argyll and Bute-we just have to get this message over to the Council so that they can start to value the contribution that these businesses make to the local economy. This will be our challenge for 2010!

Watch this space!!