Entries are welcome from amateur, professional and student artists, aged 18 and over, who are linked to Shetland by birth, education or residency.

This year’s theme is Landscape.

In addition to the Shetland Open a Bairns Open will run concurrently in the Lower Gallery.

For information on how to enter work into the Open see:
Open 2012 Call for Entries details (PDF)

Public opening: 20 January, 5.30-7.30pm, Gallery talk: 21 January, 2.30pm

Shetland Arts is delighted to announce that the work of eminent local photographer Dennis Coutts will be showcased at Bonhoga Gallery for the first exhibition of 2012 on Friday 20th January. Dennis has been photographing Shetland’s society for over 60 years and his work is a fascinating catalogue of life throughout the islands. For this exhibition work has been selected from the 1960s and represents Shetland in the pre-oil era.

 The exhibition will appeal to anyone with an interest in the stories and characters from this period in Shetland’s history. While life was very different then, these stunning black and white photographs reflect a character of life in Shetland which is timeless and remains in many ways unchanged today.

Dennis worked as a commercial photographer from his studio on The Street, combining press photography with family portraiture, social reportage and his own interests in natural history and the landscape. Dennis’ incredible talent for photography – particularly portraiture – is highlighted by the quality of composition, at a time when the art of photography was quite different to that of the digital age today.

All the photographs in the exhibition have been hand-printed by Dennis’ son, John, using traditional darkroom processes and are for sale, mounted and signed by Dennis. This is a rare opportunity to obtain a traditional print from this unique archive.

Everyone is welcome to the opening of the exhibition on 20^th January from 5.30-7.30pm. Dennis will be giving a short talk about his work in the gallery on Saturday 21^st January at 2.30pm, which will provide an opportunity to hear some of the fascinating tales of Dennis’ life, career and the subjects of his work. The talk is free, no booking required.

What’s On @ Bonhoga Gallery 2012

Download Bonhoga 2012 Exhibition programme here (PDF)

The book, by international design expert and acclaimed style blogger Olivier Dupon, profiles Whalsay born textile designers Andrea Williamson and Jen Deschênes, along with over seventy other selected artists and designers. Andrea attended the launch with some examples of her work and was happy to sign copies for the many interested visitors.

The Gallery sold all but one copy of the book and have now restocked their shelves ready for more interested customers. The Shetland College has already purchased two for their Degree Course in Contemporary Textiles, and today a review of the book by Angela Hunt, Senior Lecturer in Creative Industries at Shetland College, was published in The Shetland Times. You can read the review here.

Weather-dependent, the Gallery will be open again at the usual times with our Christmas exhibition: “Cold Hands Warm Heart” – art and craft selected from Shetland and the UK: on Saturday or Sunday 10th/11th December.

If you need to contact the Bonhoga Gallery or have any queries please call the Shetland Arts office on 01595 743843.

Farlin has been organised by Shetland Arts and Fife Contemporary Art & Craft in collaboration with StAnza: Scotland’s International Poetry Festival.

Farlin: a communal container of herring
= a unifying resource of work and nourishment

8 poets and 8 makers from Shetland and Fife will exchange pieces of work: each will then produce a piece (or pieces) in response to the piece they have received.

Each poet will have a partner who is a maker: Fife makers will partner Shetland poets and Shetland makers will partner Fife poets.

The project will provide an opportunity to explore new ideas: to explore your own creativity and the creativity of another artist through communication and by experiencing their work, allowing them to experience yours.

Experience, communication, exploration, exchange and nourishment – a virtual creative community across the seas.

Using post, skype, email, phone and social networking.

For application information please contact:
Shetland:   info@shetlandarts.org
Fife:            diana.sykes@fcac.co.uk

Deadline for applications:    Monday 29 August 2011

Selection to be made by Monday 12 September 2011

an exhibition of drawings and paintings by Janette Kerr RWA @ Bonhoga Gallery 25 June – 14 August 2011.

Join Janette for an Outdoor Drawing Workshop on Sunday 26 June, 10am-4pm.
Book now on Shetland Box Office.

Planning for the Shetland Arts & Crafts Association Trail started in 2009, when ten Association members visited Orkney with Shetland Arts to attend a Makers Day at the Pier Arts Centre and investigate the well established Orkney Craft Trail. They found that, with adjustments to make it more inclusive, and less costly to implement, there was nothing that couldn’t work in Shetland.

The Shetland trail itself is explained in a high quality leaflet, with a map and details of all the participants. Each member also has distinctive signs for their premises. The leaflet is widely distributed, and is also available as a PDF download on the Shetland Arts & Crafts Association website at www.shetlandartsandcrafts.co.uk

The current strength of the art and craft sector is reflected in the number and variety of participants.

Wendy Inkster, secretary of the Association said:

“We have members from Fair Isle to Unst, from Sandness to Whalsay, with crafts ranging from to traditional knitwear to innovative designs in textiles, wood, glass and pottery; as well as some truly original artwork.”

“Many Shetland crafts can only be seen at events like the Clickimin Craft Fair which we also organise, so this is a great opportunity for creative practitioners and manufacturers to sell to visitors and Shetlanders alike, and an opportunity for the public to buy genuine Shetland products throughout the year.”

“A strong and growing industry has been hidden away from view for too long”.

Despite the title ‘Craft Trail’, there is no set route to follow – concentrate on one geographical area, if you like, or on one type of work (knitwear or art, maybe) or just wander at random.  The Craft Trail is the perfect excuse to “go for a run”.  Wherever you go you’ll discover great variety and interest – in fact there are only two certainties; quality products, and a warm welcome.

All Studios and Workshops are open during the hours printed individually in the Map or by appointment on certain days.

The Shetland Craft Trail leaflet can be downloaded here.

more photos of the exhibition

see more photos…