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)

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.

‘Blowup’ is an interactive performance environment designed for choreographed performances and public interaction.  The work consists of two large video projections in which video imagery of the performers or viewers is manipulated in real-time. These images are cut up, redistributed and distorted by the software so that parts of the body are projected larger or smaller than others depending on how fast they are moving.

It offers a fascinating way of exploring the body and its movement within a defined space. The workshop sessions will be led by choreographer and dancer Sue Hawksley  within the interactive environment.

There are three workshops available on Saturday 1st , Sunday 2nd and Monday 3rd October from 5.00 pm – 7.30 pm.  They might be of particular interest to individuals/pairs or those who might wish to develop the ideas with existing groups (dance teachers etc) with a view to the group getting the most from the exhibition.  Alternatively, it might just be good fun.

Places on the workshops are free but are limited to just 6 places per session, so advance booking is essential.  Places can be booked on the Shetland Box Office on 01595 745555 or www.shetlandboxoffice.org

Adult Learning course supported by Shetland Arts.

In this course you will explore handmade elements to produce eye catching solutions to design problems. Learn about research, layout, typography and printing.

Learners will work to set project briefs during the course – prioritizing handmade elements but utilizing computer skills where appropriate.
Increased confidence and skills in producing handmade elements in Graphic Design. Increased knowledge about Graphic Design in contemporary and historical context. Use a range of research and thinking methods to develop Graphic Design concepts. Evaluate graphic design elements in context of user requirements.

6 weeks from 19 September 2011 (note: now postponed until 26 September 2011)
Venue: Shetland Arts, Toll Clock Centre, Lerwick
Times: Monday 6 – 9pm
Cost: £54 + £5 material costs payable to tutor. Bring drawing equipment.
Book: http://www.learnshetland.com/handmade-graphic-design (book by Wednesday 14 September)
This course is suitable for Beginners/Intermediate learners.

Last Saturday was the first in the series of readings for children at Bonhoga as part of The Illustrators exhibition.

Janice Armstrong, local author of The Grumpy Old Sailor and A Midsummer Foy, read to a group of children (and their grown ups) in the gallery surrounded by the wonderful illustrations from books by Julia Donaldson that make up the current exhibition.

More sessions will take place in gallery over the coming weekends (although not this weekend as there are too many amazing things going on at Wordplay and Screenplay). Sessions are free and no booking is required. Check here or the local press for dates and times of upcoming readings as they are announced.

' Harris Playfair Youth Big Band

Fiddle Frenzy’s showcase concerts will feature Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham headlining the opening night concert on Sunday 7th August with Bodega, Harris Playfair’s Youth Big Band Project, Nordic Fiddler’s Bloc featuring Kevin Henderson, Maggie Adamson & Brian Nicholson, Fullscelidh Spelemannslag and more performing through the week.

The event is based in venues around Lerwick most of the week; on Tuesday the activities will take place in Ollaberry and on Friday, Aith.

Evening dances will feature the Jim Halcrow Band on Sunday 7th, the James Leask Band on Tuesday and Leeshinat on Friday.  Each evening there will be a festival club and late night session at the Garrison Theatre.

Bodega's Ross Couper

Daily music workshops will be hosted by some of Shetland finest performers and tutors including Ross Couper, Bryan Gear, Cathy Geldard, Andrew Gifford, Kevin Henderson, Jim Leask, Bernadette Porter and Pauleen Wiseman delivering their skills, knowledge and enthusiasm across the classes, throughout the week.  Once again Ryan Couper will be leading the guitar classes.

Together with the musical activities, there will be a range of artistic workshops including drawing and paining with Blue Sky Studios, Contemporary Knitting with Jennie Bradley and Creative Writing with T.S. Eliot Prize winner Jen Hadfield.

` Nordic Fiddlers Bloc

This year Fiddle Frenzy will be welcoming young scholarship musicians from Orkney and the Western Isles to take part in the Harris Playfair Big Band Project and all the weeks activities thanks to financial support from the Scotland’s Islands fund.

For the full programme of events visit www.shetlandarts.org/events/fiddle-frenzy or for further information contact Shetland Arts on 01595 743 843.

Bookings for concerts and workshops can be made at Shetland Box Office, Islesburgh Community Centre, Lerwick 01595 745555 or visit www.shetlandboxoffice.org

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.