Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries launches two new exhibitions on 23 January.
Alphabets of Colour: Jeremy Carlisle is the artist’s first solo show at Gracefield and presents a selection of recent watercolour and gouache abstract paintings.
Some suggest a source in nature and exploit wet-in-wet washes that flow, fall, seep and intermingle. Others are more designed and play with clearer geometries. Common to both areas is an informed dialogue with colour. Jeremy graduated with an MA European Fine Art (Barcelona and Winchester) in 1997, having formally studied at Chelsea School of Art. From 1999 to2007 he was an associate lecturer at the University of Glasgow Crichton Campus teaching contemporary and 19th century art studies, and before that he taught at Cumbria College. A regular participant in the Spring Fling Open Studios event, Jeremy is based in Gatehouse of Fleet.
Everyone is welcome to join us for the exhibition preview event on Saturday 23 January from 2pm to 4pm with refreshments served. Following the exhibition opening Jeremy Carlisle looks at the nature of abstract painting with an art lecture from 7pm to 8.30pm on Friday 5 February. Please book in advance to secure your seat, but pay on the door on the night. Refreshments will be available and the cost per booking is £4, with a concessionary rate of £2.50.
Our second exhibition in Gracefield Gallery 1 is: On The Riviera…and other watercolours from the GracefieldPermanent Collection.
Chosen to explore the medium of watercolour in its widest sense this selection has been curated by Gracefield’s Modern Apprentice, Morgan Hardie. Featuring work dating from the 1840’s to the present day, the exhibition includes some rare artwork by little known artists, to the well-known such as Scottish Colourist FCB Cadell, who created the exhibition title work to modern artists Elizabeth Blackadder and John Bellany.
The Modern Apprentice Scheme has been running within Dumfries and Galloway Council since2013 and offers young people age 16-19 the chance to gain work experience with Council services. Since the scheme began over 250 have worked towards a qualification that relates to real jobs and undertaken work experience recognised by potential employers.
Join us for the opening of the exhibition concurrent with Jeremy Carlisle’s exhibition on Saturday 23 January from 2pm to 4pm.
Chair of Community and Customer Services Committee Councillor Tom McAughtrie, commented:
“It’s lovely to see such wonderful colour on these dull winter days – and these two fascinating shows are to suit have something to suit all tastes and spark interest.”
For more details about the all exhibitions, classes for adults and kids, events, Craft Shop and Café Hubbub, please give Gracefield a call on 01387 262084, visit the website, or see us on Facebook.
Admission is free and there is plenty parking.
Gracefield is open Tuesday –Saturday 10am to 5pm.
