Things are warming up at Fet Lor next week!
Join us on our cycle journey to kick off our centenary celebrations for Fet Lor turning 100 this year 
From the 22nd-26th of January, all group members will have the opportunity to hop on an indoor exercise bike at Fetlor to take part in our challenge.
On a winter’s eve in Edinburgh, 1924, Visual Arts Scotland (VAS) held their first-ever meeting, becoming early pioneers of inclusivity within Scotland’s artistic landscape. One-hundred years later, the organisation has grown into a leading platform for national and international artists and now celebrates its centenary with a year packed full of opportunities for its members.
To kick off 2024’s celebrations, VAS are holding their biggest-ever exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, showcasing work from the finest contemporary artists across Scotland and beyond.
Then and Now: 100 Years of Visual Arts Scotland will showcase 242 artists and over 300 artworks, with art ranging from ceramics, paintings, mixed media, photography, sculpture, and a variety of contemporary art forms.
The exhibition’s preview night takes place on Friday 16th of February 2024, from 6pm – 8pm, giving creative enthusiasts an exclusive glimpse into the contemporary Scottish art scene.
The exhibition will then run from the 17th of February until the 13th of March, launching a year of centenary celebrations for Visual Arts Scotland members.
Tavienne Bridgwater, VAS Co-President, said: “VAS has seen a lot of growth and change over the past 100 years.
“The organisation began as The Scottish Society of Women Artists in 1924 with the aim to empower women after their contribution to the war effort. VAS provided women with the opportunity to exhibit and create applied arts, an opportunity other arts organisations in Scotland did not encourage until later in the century.
“In the early 90s, the organisation’s name changed to Scottish Artists and Artist Craftsmen to embrace the high-quality experimental crafts taking place. Today, the organisation is known as Visual Arts Scotland and boasts a membership of over 1,000 artists across Scotland and beyond, its sole purpose to promote and provide opportunities for artists with an association to Scotland.
“As we enter our 100th year, we want to reflect on our deep history, but also provide as many opportunities for our current membership as possible. 2024 will be packed full of exciting opportunities with a TATHA Gallery exhibition in Fife, a partnership exhibition with Scottish Ornithologists’ Club (SOC) in Aberlady, participation at the Borders Art Fair, and an exhibition and maker’s market at Dalkeith Palace.
“We will also be facilitating a number of artist residency opportunities throughout Scotland and the UK and our online platforms will continue to provide an important space for networking and the sharing of ideas, artwork, and dialogue.”
Amanda Airey, VAS Co-President, commented: “We’re really excited to be returning to the RSA for our Centenary Show. Visual Arts Scotland’s relationship with this iconic building began in 1945, so there’s no better place to celebrate VAS’s milestone.
“We received over 1,500 applications for our Centenary Show from both members and non-members, indicating the enthusiasm for Visual Arts Scotland’s history as well as an appetite for in-person exhibitions.
“This year, we also hope to create a centenary year book that will contextualise VAS, capture our evolution as an organisation and reveal how we have stayed true to our core aims and passions. VAS members will be integral to influencing its design and purpose.
“Despite years of growth, our organisation’s core values have remained the same. Everything we do is influenced by inclusivity and the idea that artists should and can help one another.
“VAS is a volunteer-led charity, with the core council consisting of artists themselves, helping promote and provide opportunities for our members. I hope we continue to enable artists to support artists for another 100 years.”
Christina McKelvie, Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, said: “The Scottish Government would like to congratulate Visual Arts Scotland on achieving a century of creativity and for playing such a pioneering role in the development of women earning recognition in creative arts.
“Founded as the Scottish Society of Women Artists in 1924, VAS led the way by providing women with a much-needed platform to showcase their artistic skills in Scotland. Visual Arts Scotland continues to give an important voice to the artists, practitioners, and craftsmen, who are crucial in shaping Scotland’s world-leading artistic output. We look forward to celebrating the creativity produced during VAS’s Centenary Show in 2024.”
Colin R Greenslade, RSA Director writes: ““The Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture (RSA) extends a hearty congratulations to the team and membership of Visual Art Scotland (VAS) on the celebration of the Society’s centenary.
“VAS, under the auspices of the ‘Scottish Society of Women Artists’ and ‘Scottish Artists and Artist Craftsmen’, have exhibited alongside the RSA in the Royal Scottish Academy building across much of these past 100 years and we share many artist members both past and present.
“It is wonderful to congratulate VAS on this milestone achievement and wish them the very best as they enter their second century of representing artists in this way.”
The VAS Centenary Show will also have an exhibit of small works (30cm x 30cm) by society members, allowing every member of VAS to have their work included in the exhibition. These small works provide a varied selection of art for sale at affordable prices.
A year of celebrations marking the centenary of the Royal British Legion Scotland will culminate in a musical extravaganza on Sunday 28th November. A Centenary Concert will feature performances from the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, Legion Scotland Sweetheart Amy Hawthorn, the Edinburgh Academy Chamber Choir and many others.
In June 1921, with the trauma and painful after-effects of the First World War crippling the nation, four ex-service organisations came together at St Cuthbert’s Church in Edinburgh to unite for the greater good of the nation. At that moment the Royal British Legion Scotland was born.
100 years later, St Cuthbert’s will host the charity in celebrating its centenary.
Dr Claire Armstrong, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said: “The Centenary Concert will be a fitting culmination to a memorable year for our members. In June, 100 commemorative wreaths were laid at War Memorials across the country exactly 100 years since the formation of the Legion.
“During the summer months members of our Bikers Branch set off on a National Ride to visit our network of branches and clubs throughout the country. We hoped to hold a huge Beating Retreat event in Dundee in September, but the ongoing restrictions meant this has been postponed until April 2022. Nevertheless, branches and clubs across Scotland held their own local celebrations.
“The past few weeks have seen a return to our usual programme of Remembrance events up and down the country, which have been exceptionally well attended. Remembering the fallen and joining together in a spirit of comradeship has always lay at the heart of our ethos. The number of people, both veterans and members of the public, who want to show their support demonstrates that Legion Scotland has a very bright future ahead.”
The Centenary Concert is split into four acts, with each examining a different aspect of the Legion’s history.
The first act will highlight the aftermath of the First World War and the formation of the Legion. Act two will explore the Legion’s early years and the impact of the Second World War. This will be followed by two further acts, looking at the legacy of more recent conflicts and ahead to a positive future for Legion Scotland beyond its centenary. Other performers include Juniper 3, Dunfermline and District Pipe Band and Jedburgh Pipe Band.
The Centenary Concert takes place on Sunday 28th November at The Parish of St Cuthbert’s Church in Edinburgh and begins at 7.00pm.
A number of tickets are still available free of charge and can be booked by emailing events@legionscotland.org.uk.
There will be one last chance to celebrate the Royal Air Force’s centenary when the RAF in Concert tour arrives in Glasgow next month for a special performance. Continue reading Final fanfare to celebrate RAF100
