Tag: Christmas Card

First Minister’s Christmas card

The card features iconic landmarks of Scotland

A design featuring landmarks and national symbols of Scotland has been unveiled as the First Minister’s 2021 Christmas Card.

It has been created by artist Emily Hogarth, who has previously worked on illustrations to mark St Andrew’s Day and a welcoming new space for children at The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh.

The card features some of Scotland’s best-known landmarks and iconic buildings, with familiar images such as the Scottish Parliament building and the Finnieston Crane. It also has personal links to the First Minister, with her official residence Bute House included in the design.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am thrilled to have such a striking design for my Christmas card this year.

“Emily Hogarth’s artwork celebrates just a few of the things that make Scotland special, and there’s no better time of year to stop and reflect on the things that make our lives a little brighter.

“After another particularly difficult year living through the COVID-19 pandemic I hope that this card will help to lift people’s spirits, spread some festive cheer and most importantly remind us all that better days are ahead.”

Emily Hogarth said: “I felt very honoured to be selected. It’s been lovely to work with the Scottish Government in the past, but to be chosen by the First Minister to do the Christmas card felt very special.

“It’s more important than ever that we focus on the little things that make life better, whether that’s receiving a nice card or having chats with your friends. We need to remember that we’re all in this together and that good times will come again.”

FM Christmas cards raise nearly £170,000

Katie Morag original illustration fetches £1,000 for good causes

christmas-card

Mairi Hedderwick’s original artwork for last year’s First Minister’s Christmas Card, based on her hugely successful Katie Morag books, went under the hammer at a special auction yesterday.

The artwork was commissioned by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and proceeds of the auction will be split between four charities – Children’s 1st, Enable Scotland, Books Abroad and the Scottish Refugee Council.

The watercolour, showing Katie Morag greeting children at Bute House, the First Minister’s official residence, was auctioned off for £1,000 by TV antiques expert Anita Manning at Great Western Auctions in Glasgow.

Since 2007, artwork from the First Minister’s official Christmas cards has raised nearly £170,000 for good causes through sales of the original paintings and limited edition prints.

Speaking after the auction, the First Minister said: “I was delighted that Mairi Hedderwick was able to create such a wonderful illustration for last year’s Christmas card.

“Katie Morag’s adventures accompanied by Mairi’s beautiful illustrations are adored by both children and adults right across the world.

“Christmas is a time for spending time with those we love, but it is also a time for thinking about those less fortunate than ourselves.

“There is no doubt that Scotland is a caring and compassionate country and First Ministers’ Christmas cards aim to publicise and support charity projects which do so much in our communities. Mairi generously donated her time and talent to the Christmas card initiative and she should be extremely proud of helping to support these fantastic good causes.”

Background

  • 2007: John Lowrie Morrison “Snow Falls on Linlithgow”, Who Cares Scotland 2008: John Bellany “The Homecoming”, Aberdeen Cyrenians, Islamic Relief, SCIAF, RNLI
  • •2009: Gerard Burns “A New Journey”, CLIC Sergeant, Glasgow the Caring City, JACK Foundation, Mary’s Meals
  • •2010: Jack Vettriano “Lets Twist Again”, Charities: Bethany Christian Trust, Maggies Cancer Caring Centres, Quarriers, Teenage Cancer Trust
  • •2011: Alasdair Gray, “Bella Caledonia”, Charities: CHAS, SCIAF, Glenachiulish Preservation Trust, Save Small Tribes Trust
  • •2012: Elizabeth Blackadder, “Flowers” Charities: Sick Kids Friends Fund, Dyslexia Scotland, Breakthrough breast Cancer, Scottish Steelworkers Memorial Fund
  • •2013: Peter Howson, “Artaban” Charities: SCIAF, CHAS, Combat Stress and CLIC Sargent
  • 2014: Phyllis Dodd Design: from the McKenna Christmas Card collection, The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections, Charities: The Mackintosh Appeal, The Catherine McEwan Foundation, Yorkhill Children’s Charity, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance and Legion Scotland
  • 2015: Mairi Hedderwick, “Katie Morag”, Charities: Enable Scotland, Children’s 1st, Books Abroad and the Scottish Refugee Council

Continue reading FM Christmas cards raise nearly £170,000

Forthview P3s visit First Minister

Katie Morag Christmas card is ‘amazing’, ‘fantastic’ and ‘brilliant’!

23362563602_6f79db1d22_k

Children from Forthview Primary School joined Nicola Sturgeon at Bute House yesterday for the launch of the First Minister’s 2015 official Christmas card.

The card features Katie Morag, the star of the children’s books written and illustrated by Mairi Hedderwick, who can be seen welcoming children from around the world to the First Minister’s official residence, Bute House.

The original illustration by Mairi Hedderwick will be auctioned next year and the proceeds will be shared between four charities; Enable Scotland, Children 1st, Books Abroad and the Scottish Refugee Council.

The First Minister said: “I am delighted that Mairi Hedderwick was able to create such a wonderful illustration for this year’s Christmas card.

“Katie Morag’s adventures accompanied by Mairi’s beautiful illustrations are adored by both children and adults right across the world.

“Christmas is a time for spending time with those that we love, but it is also a time for thinking about those less fortunate than ourselves.

“There is no doubt that Scotland is a caring and compassionate country but this year in particular, I have been so proud of the warm welcome and kindness which has been extended to all who have come here.

“Whether it’s by helping out at a charity, or having a cup of tea and a chat with a friend or neighbour who is on their own, it’s important to spend some time over the next few weeks giving comfort, companionship and support to those who need it.”

23471092965_4665c888e3_k

For the first time, special packs featuring Christmas cards from previous years will go on sale in National Galleries of Scotland shops in Edinburgh from next week.

Part of the 2014 fundraising initiative, cards will be sold in a pack of ten and will feature the artwork of Jack Vettriano, Elizabeth Blackadder, John Lowrie Morrison, Peter Howson and Phyllis Dodd.

All profits will be split between 2014’s charities; the Catherine McEwan Foundation, The Mackintosh Appeal, Legion Scotland, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance and Yorkhill Children’s Charity.

The First Minister added: “Since we launched the charity Christmas card initiative in 2007, sales of artwork and prints have raised more than £168,850 for good causes across Scotland. I’d like to extend my thanks to all the artists, including Mairi, whose time and genorisity have made raising so much money possible.”

And the children’s view of the Katie Morag card? ‘Brilliant’, ‘amazing’ and ‘fantastic’!

FM Xmas Card 2015