Welcome to update number four - and by now, you probably know how these posts begin: things at Bonhoga are continuing to progress well.
Since my last visit, the building's insulation has been neatly tucked away again behind plaster and the sliding shop door has been removed. It’s made a noticeable difference to the shop space and I’m really looking forward to seeing how it will be styled and brought to life when the time comes for reopening.
The highlight of this visit was seeing the gallery walls reinstated, almost like opening a time capsule, as the turquoise paint and vinyl quotes from the last exhibition have been preserved! Between May and October 2023, the gallery hosted a series of Summer Showcases featuring the work of local artists. Four exhibitions featured ceramics, jewellery, papercuts, woodwork, textiles, glass and basketry. The final exhibition featured Nielanell, Helen Robertson, Island Ceramics, and Lisa Hooper, whose quotes remain in place.
James from JDC Shetland explained how each piece of plasterboard had been meticulously numbered before being stored to ensure that everything was replaced exactly the same as before. The level of care and precision has certainly paid off!
There’s now a running joke on site that my fear of heights has kept me from getting any close-ups of the new roof tiles. Will September be the month I finally brave the scaffolding? Stay tuned to find out…
Bonhoga's refurbishment is being led by née gibson architects and supported by funding from the Shetland Charitable Trust Capital Grants Scheme.
