An events and workshop programme, co-curated with young people, to take place at Kirkcudbright Galleries this September.
Kirkcudbright Galleries is delighted to present an events programme with a difference this September. To celebrate ‘Eye to Eye: Sir Henry Raeburn’s Portraits,’ Kirkcudbright Galleries brings Raeburn Reimagined – a series of events and workshops co-curated with young people from Kirkcudbright Youth Project and Kirkcudbright Academy, with support from The Holywood Trust and Dumfries and Galloway Council.
With generous support from the Holywood Trust, Kirkcudbright Galleries has been working with young people to develop events and workshops that will bring the exhibition to life for young people and the wider community.
On Saturday 21 September, Raeburn Reimagined: Off the Wall, 10am from 4pm. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the characters from the paintings, pose as 18th Century aristocrats in our pop-up Georgian Portrait Studio and join collaborative outdoor drawing and printing workshops. This event is suitable for all ages.
Henry Raeburn, Lady Raeburn and characters from the portraits will be in the galleries and the Soaperie Gardens to meet visitors. If you have ever wondered what life was like in 18th Century Edinburgh when Raeburn was working, come along to Kirkcudbright Galleries and find out. You will also be able to transform yourself into an 18th Century portrait by dressing up in Georgian costumes, take part in fast paced drawing workshops, and add your portrait to the drawing wall.
Kirkcudbright Galleries will also be offering Raeburn Reimagined workshops in silver clay (28 September) and ceramics (18th September), aimed at young people aged 12 to 18 years.
In the wider programme, Kirkcudbright Galleries will be joined by eminent portrait artist Ewan McClure (10 and 25 September), who will be leading a workshop working directly from Raeburn’s work, and the historian Lisa Williams (17 September), who will be highlighting the stories of Raeburn’s subjects and discuss the relationship between the growth of the city of Edinburgh and the transatlantic slave trade.
Gail Macgregor, Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council said: “It is fantastic to see opportunities for our young people to have their voices heard and to develop their creativity skills by working in partnership with Kirkcudbright Galleries, with support from the Holywood Trust and Dumfries and Galloway Council. Kirkcudbright Galleries is developing the creatives of the future in projects like this, and we are delighted that young people are influencing our cultural venues in such a positive way.
“This exciting range of activities and events, developed with our young people, is a fantastic draw for visitors to Kirkcudbright, boosting tourism for the region. There is a range of events for all ages and abilities, which will appeal to our local audiences and attract more visitors to our fantastic venues.”
