Orkney Matters – Pier Art Exhibition

From this Saturday (9 April), the walls of the five-star Pier Arts Centre will be adorned with an array of artwork created in response to the Council’s community-wide consultation, Orkney Matters – Your Place, Your Future.

With external funding, the Orkney Matters team commissioned the Pier Arts Centre to deliver a series of creative workshops for groups within the community and a ‘tool kit’ for schools to be able to contribute to the process.

The aim of the workshops was to provide an informal setting for those who might feel less confident in expressing their thoughts and whose voices may not always be heard.

The creative sessions were led by artists Carole Aitkin, Leila Dearness, Katherine Diaper, Laura Drever, Samantha Gray and India Whitwell who worked with groups across Orkney, including the Youth Café, Women’s Aid Children & Young People’s programme, Harray WI, Orkney’s Upside Downs, as well as family and well-being groups.

The voices of Orkney’s school pupils are reflected in a series of artworks from Stromness Primary; Papdale; Shapinsay; Westray; North Ronaldsay; Rousay, Egilsay & Wyre; Orphir and Dounby.

The display also includes the ‘visual minutes’ captured by illustrator Britt Harcus of the wider consultation process.

Susan Shearer, the Council’s Planning Manager who is leading on the consultation, said: “The artworks make a significant visual contribution to the project that cannot be underestimated. This has been a wonderful opportunity for those involved to have their pieces exhibited within an art gallery that regularly shares the work of internationally acclaimed artists. We are very grateful to all those who participated and hope this has gone a long way to ensuring that the views of everyone are heard and taken on board.”

The exhibition runs from Saturday, April 9, 10:30am - Saturday, April 23, 5:00pm in the Pier Arts Centre, Victoria Street, Stromness.