Perrr-fect News!!

Alice Stewart was delighted to tell us that she and other NEOS artists had been approached to design & decorate one of the 15 Kelly's Cats in this years fund raising for the The Diced Cap Charitable Trust. Kelly’s Cats are iconic to Aberdonians and are the leopards that adorn Union Bridge.

The Diced Cap Charitable Trust was founded in 1990 and is a Registered Scottish Charity unique in the UK, being run voluntarily by Police officers, support staff from Grampian Police along with a number of retired officers and associates. Although associated with Grampian Police the charity exists as a separate entity.

The aim is to improve the health and well being of any deserving persons, resident in or connected with the Grampian Police force area. Although it is a comparatively small charity DCCT has raised and donated a considerable amount of money and this year, their 20th year, they hope to hit the £1,000,000 mark.
Acting as an effective catalyst in attracting other sponsors / monies to the many individuals, charities and organisations that Diced Cap supports.

DCCT Aim is to:
• Create immediate impact locally.
• Bond communities.
• Help those abandoned by other agencies.
• Reduce social exclusion.
• Empower rather than enforce.
• Encourage & recognise good citizenship.

As this is a special year for the trust, they are trying new initiatives to raise money, so the completed Kelly's cats were auctioned off at their Winter Ball at the Marcliffe, Pitfodels on Saturday 13 November, with money donated to local causes.

Looking For Artists to Paint Portraits

I am an artist based in Glasgow and have been commissioned through Aberdeen City Council to undertake a public art project in the East Green area of the city.

I have a designated area to work in (around the indoor market, historic area between Union Street & railway station - including Hadden St, Carmelite St etc). My project is part of a wider evaluation into how people can participate in art and what role that could play in the regeneration of an area. I am responding to the designated project area and the community in and around it and through this experience I am going to make an art work to be finished by late February. What I want to do is find people to collaborate, to be part of making something and in the process they themselves become part of.

I work in various ways, with photography, video and music so I see the finished outcome perhaps being an event which will take place, perhaps with a musical performance (not quite sure yet). But I see the portrait idea as the starting point of what ever the work becomes. It will be a fundamental part of the overall work, which is going to depend on who I meet and work with along the way. I am interested in stories and finding ways to share these and document people's everyday lives.

By finding willing artists, not only will we then be able to work as a group to engage with the community around us but we can also get to know each other and share our own ideas/ stories.

The portraits themselves may be used to make a series of postcards or posters as part the project. I like the idea of different people being interpreted by different artists, building up a picture of people in the community, not only those whose image is used but the marks made by the person who has created that image.

If you are interested, please email Amy Marletta at amymarletta@hotmail.com

NEOS Website Details

The NEOS team has been made aware of a new website called Castle Country Arts, which some of you are rather concerned about. Firstly as NEOS Chair, I want to reassure our members that North East Open Studios has not passed or sold on your details. The committee are working on finding out more about it and will keep you informed of what is happening.

NEOS 2010: September 11th - 19th. Visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information

Creative Cultures Scotland - Networking night in Inverurie 16th September 2010

Networking - Sept 16th at the Wyness Hall (Inverurie) 6 - 8pm

As part of the NEOS event, Creative Cultures Scotland are delighted to bring you a networking event in Aberdeenshire! After the fantastic Lemon Tree networking / itchee wasp exhibition, where ACC's Gary Cameron had talked briefly about the Aberdeen City & Shire visual arts and crafts awards, Saskia Gibbon will be presenting information, and a reminder that the deadline is fast approaching for the first round of applications. We will also be joined by Gabrielle Reith (NEOS coordinator) giving us an update of how NEOS is going, from feedback received that week, as well as Morag McGee (ceramicist) Giving us insight into her working practice. CCS' Aurelie Bureau will also be talking about her role in helping people find funds for "big projects". (Wine and nibbles included as always!)

If you would like to come, please send an email to : creativeculturescotland@googlemail.com
CCS will also be working with CityMoves and SMart Consultants for more networking opportunities later in the year... October 14th is a date to keep clear in you diaries... 

Wee folk and fascinating faces: RGU exhibitions launch

Artwork by two Robert Gordon University graduates is set to be displayed as part of North East Open Studios Week 2010 at the University’s Garthdee Campus from Saturday 11 September.

Now in its 7th year, North East Open Studios is Scotland’s largest open studios event of its kind, offering a unique opportunity for the public to explore and access the wealth of artistic talent across Aberdeenshire.

As part of the Open Studios week, the University will host and display two art exhibitions by Gray’s School of Art graduates David Lloyd and Mark Moynihan.

Members of the public can discover and learn about the mythical ‘wee folk’ of the Shetland Isles at David Lloyd’s exhibition in the Georgina Scott Sutherland Library in Aberdeen Business School.

David’s exhibition tells his outrageous tale of miniature skeletal remains supposedly found on the islands and reveals so-called ‘evidence’ of these fabled creatures.

Meanwhile in the Faculty of Health and Social Care, visitors can view Mark Moynihan’s compelling portrait work. After exhibiting a striking series of health worker portraits at Grampian Hospital Art Trust Gallery in 2008, Mark is back with a wider range of fascinating faces.

Using portraiture to open up the idea that no individual has a single identifiable identity, Mark uses a variety of media to hold the viewer’s attention whilst introducing his central philosophy that looks can be deceiving.

Jane Kidd, Collections Curator at the University’s Art and Heritage Collections, said “North East Open Studios Week is a great chance to see some engaging and unusual work by local artists. The University is thrilled to not only be taking part but to be exhibiting work by our own graduates who are actively creating unique art work in the local community.”

The exhibitions are open from 8am-10pm Mondays to Fridays, 9am-7pm on Saturdays and 11am-9pm Sundays. Both exhibitions are open to the public at the University until 31st December.

For more information on North East Open Studios Week and the University’s Art and Heritage Collections, please visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk and www.collections.rgu.ac.uk.

Aberdeenshire Yellow Sign Placement

It’s just about time to put up your yellow signs. Please can you just take a couple of minutes to read the do’s and don’ts below.

Please put your sign up just before NEOS starts (no earlier than Friday 10th) and take them down on the last day (Sunday 19th).

Please do not attach them to any Council owned street furniture, on any trunk road (ie A96, A90 etc) and near any junction.

Aberdeenshire Council have provided us with a pamphlet “Guidelines on Unauthorised Signs” (which can be downloaded here). Please adhere to the section “Guidelines for Authorised Signs in Community Events”.

remember, if you need yellow signs, and can't get hold of "official" corrugated plastic ones - you can always download the template and print it on yellow paper and laminate them. The poster can be found here : Blank NEOS Poster

-------------------------------

NEOS 2010: September 11th - 19th. Visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information

Important information for NEOS Participants within Aberdeen City

1. Signs on private property (in gardens, on houses, in cars, front gate, own fence) are permitted.
   
   
2. Signs placed on any Road/Traffic Information furniture are considered a grave hazard and are Illegal i.e. Traffic lights, Railings, Pedestrian crossings, Stop/Give Way. If in doubt do not use it.
   
   
3. Each venue will be allowed to display one NEOS sign on each of a maximum of two street lamps – one outside their venue and one at their closest road junction (providing it is not a major junction).
   
   
4. The signs should be attached to the lamp post as high as possible. Preferably 2.4m above ground level. This is to protect pedestrians and facilitate drivers.
   
   
5. Directional arrows written on the signs should be written as large as possible.
   
   
6. The signs can be put up 1-2 days in advance of 11th September and must be removed by 1 day after 19th September.
   
   
7. Signs not removed by the artists will be removed by Aberdeen City Council and the cost of removal will be charged to NEOS/Participants.
   
   
8. The Roads Department will advise their city and community inspectors not to remove NEOS signage if it compliant with the above
   
   
9. Next year the Roads Department will like to discuss with NEOS the positioning of signage several months ahead of the event.

Big thanks to Helen Plumb for dealing with Aberdeen City Council and coming to an agreement. Also thanks to Gary Cameron of ACC for working hard to promote NEOS within the council too.

NEOS 2010: September 11th - 19th. Visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information

NEOS bloggers?

We're looking to find out who'll be blogging during their NEOS events...

If you'd like to contribute to a "mashup" blog (mixing all the feeds from all the bloggers) and have a wee feature on a new page for the website, please send us an email, a 100 word mini biog (or statement about your blog), and we'll set up a page... waiting for the big day! go on, it'll be fun...

info@northeastopenstudios.co.uk

NEOS 2010: September 11th - 19th. Visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information

CALL TO NEOS ARTISTS - POTB

PUSHING OUT THE BOAT, North-East Scotland’s magazine of new writing and the visual arts would greatly appreciate your help!

Would you like to sell our beautiful magazine from your studio? The magazine retails at £5 per copy from which the vendor receives £1.50. You would be working on a sale or return basis so you cannot lose financially. If interested please contact Martin Walsh at info@pushingouttheboat.co.uk or tel 01224 586093

We are also currently taking submissions for next year’s Issue (10). We receive artwork from all over the world but would like to see more from here.

Submissions close 1st October. For more details see our website: www.pushingouttheboat.co.uk

Engage Scotland – Creative Professional Networking Event @ Moray Arts Centre

Thursday 19th August • 4pm – 7pm • MORAY ART CENTRE

Engage Scotland is the professional gallery education association promoting access to, enjoyment and understanding of the visual arts in the UK and internationally from a Scottish perspective.

This FREE networking event is presented as a great opportunity for creative professionals working in the North East of Scotland to meet and share ideas. Artists, Educators, Teachers and Cultural Coordinators are invited to attend the session, which is intended to stimulate and fortify visual art education in this part of Scotland.

16.00 Arrival at Venue
16.30 Food & Refreshments served
17.00 Presentation by Speakers including:

• Scott Byrne, Moray Art Centre
• Sarah Yearsley, engage Scotland
• Danielle Daglan, Cultural Coordinator Manager, Moray Council
• Graeme Roger, Artist and Co-Founder of Wildbird Arts
• Growing Audiences North East (GANE)

18.00 Guided Tour of Nameless Exhibition and Review of Associated Educational Events
18.15 Coffee & Refreshments and Opportunity to Network with Attendees

To book your FREE place for this event, please contact Scott Byrne at Moray Art Centre using the following details:
Email: education@morayartcentre.org
Tel: (01309) 69 24 26
MORAY ART CENTRE, The Park Findhorn, Moray, IV36 3TA

The event is hosted by Moray Art Centre and supported by engage Scotland
http://www.morayartcentre.org
http://www.engagescotland.org.uk

Joey Richardson Internationally-known woodturner/artist event

Grampian Woodturners are presenting a two-day woodturning demonstration featuring Joey Richardson

A very talented and versatile turner who incorporates carving and colouring techniques into her work.

Venue: Scottish Agriculture College, Bucksburn, Aberdeen

Dates and Times : September – Saturday 4th (10am – 5pm) & Sunday 5th (10.30am – 4.30pm)

Parking on Site. Tiered Seating in auditorium.

Large screen viewing. Catering: Teas, coffees, rolls and biscuits on sale, on site am/pm. Please bring your own lunch.

Tickets; £15.00; entry either or both days.

Contact:
Frank Beattie 01467 632168;
Bill Diack 01467 622772;
Ian Wallace 01224 743661;
Doug Grant 01224 704119;
Ian Murrav 01224 312556.

NEOS catalogue pick up points

North East Open Studios - 2010 Catalogue ready for pickup!

Hello!

1. NEOS 2010 participant catalogue allocation
2. Pick UP Points

We're really happy to announce that the 2010 NEOS catalogues are ready for pick up! 24,000 catalogues have been printed this year, and we think they look pretty spiffy. Printed by MMS Almac, this year's catalogue features 254 artists, makers and galleries. Cover photograph by John Rutherford (Gaia Photography).

---

1. NEOS 2010 participant catalogue allocation

If you are participating in NEOS2010, you are allocated ONE BOX (45 catalogues) - BUT! If you need more please let us know! Below is the current list of pick up points, but we always need more key locations to take catalogues for easy distribution, if you think you can help, please let us know. We're also looking for people to help pick up boxes fromSusie Hunt's "mill farm studios". The more cars, the better!

---

2. Pick UP Points

We've distributed boxes to the following locations for members to pick up from (please phone in advance, just to make sure someone is there, with catalogues for you!):

• Archaeolink (Oyne)
• Duff House (Banff)
• Frameworks Gallery (Kinellar)
• Frances Crawford (Strathdon)
• Junction Art and Gifts (Aberdeen)
• Just Art (Fochabers)
• Maitlands Coffee Shop (Fraserburgh)
• Mill Farm, Kemnay (Kemnay)
• Milton Gallery (Crathes)
• Monymusk Arts trust (Monymusk)
• Niall Paton (Ordhead)
• Platform 22 (Torphins)
• Scottish Sculpture Workshop (Lumsden)
• Springfield Creative Arts (Arbroath)
• Starfish Studio (Johnshaven)
• Syllavethy Gallery (Alford)
• The Loft (Aberdeen)
• Tolquhon Gallery (Tarves)
• Touched by Scotland (Oyne)

If you can be a distribution point, please let us know. We've also taken many copies to key locations and venues in the North East of Scotland, but if you see a place without catalogues, or think of a place the catalogues should be, please let us know, we need your help too!

---

We are all looking forward to a great NEOS 2010 and are very happy to have you onboard!
Thank you! If you have any questions then please email Gabrielle Reith at info@northeastopenstudios.co.uk

Yours, The 2010 NEOS team

new paintings and sculpture by James Newton Adams

You and your guests are invited to a preview of new paintings and sculpture by Skye based artist, James Newton Adams.
Preview Friday 13th August 2010
6pm - 8pm
The show runs until Saturday September 4th

Evening event this Friday, 6th August 2010
An opportunity to see work by jewellery maker, Anne Marquiss and to talk to her about her practice and her residency at the gallery.
6pm - 8pm

Left Bank is open Thurs/Fri/Sat 11am - 5pm and by appointment.

For more information please contact Sera James Irvine at:

Left Bank, 5 Bridge Street, Tarland AB34 4YN
leftbank.tarland@googlemail.com
Tel: 013398 81603
Mob: 07775606087

Web page: Left Bank
Facebook: Left Bank

Aberdeenshire Voluntary Arts Training & Information day

Aberdeenshire Arts Team would like to invite you to join us for a Voluntary Arts Training & Information day on Saturday 4th September 10am to 4pm at Woodend Barn, Banchory.

The event is to launch an Aberdeenshire wide project - Finding Creativity. We will be working with the hundreds of arts volunteers and local groups in our communities to find and promote Aberdeenshire’s vibrant voluntary arts sector, working with partners to provide training and support, to enable Voluntary Arts to thrive.

Please see the Finding Creativity Flyer for further information.

We anticipate approximately 80 people attending this first event so places are limited to two members from each arts group.

Please share this information with other Arts Groups and with your networks.

2010 catalogues are here!

We took delivery of the 2010 NEOS directories last week, and released a few into the wild at Tea Cosy Carousel (craft fair), Bridge View and Art Aboyne ... to which 500+ copies were snapped up in a day!

SO! 2010 catalogues are ready for NEOS 2010 participants to pick up from Mill Farm (Susie Hunt's barn). Members will be allocated one box each - but if you need more, please let us know. If you are going to Susie's place, please let her know beforehand.

We are also going to distribute large amounts of directories to key locations on Sunday (1st of August) , and will announce locations shortly. If you would like to help distribute or transport quantities to your local area, we'd love to hear from you! Please contact us via info@northeastopenstudios.co.uk

Have a great NEOS 2010! We'll be in touch soon!

NEOS 2010: September 11th - 19th. Visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information

Brave new World - Bridge View show 22nd July

`Brave New World?`
Visions of Urban Life

22nd July - 10th September

Preview 6-8pm
Thursday 22nd July

Sean Ambrose
David Anderson
Ross Brown
Katie Bell
Matilda Radcliffe
Jaki Sinclair
Steven Smith

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO THE PRIVATE VIEW OF
`BRAVE NEW WORLD?’

from 6.00PM – 8.00PM
on Thursday 22nd July 2010

Bridge View invite

NEOS 2010 banners for your use

Phil Thompson has created a range of images you can choose to use to link to the NEOS site from your website! follow the link - and if you can add / control your own webspace HTML, simply copy and paste your favoured banner code blockand hey presto! A link to NEOS2010...



You can also customise the link to show your own individual entry! add "individual.asp?name=" to the end of the HREF - and put your own entry name on the end (e.g. individual.asp?name="Philip Thompson")

NEOS 2010: September 11th - 19th. Visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information

Free online directory for Creative people in the North East of Scotland

Creative Cultures Scotland is an online directory and support charity for Creative individuals and Organiastions in the North East of Scotland.

You can create a free web page featuring as little or as much information as you want! With the ability to populate your page with external content from flickr, youTube, soundCloud or blog feeds, it's easy to set up and you can leave it, safe in the knowledge it'll be updated automatically.

CCS also run networking nights, and are piloting a support service for members to work with Aurelie Bureau to apply for funding.

for more information, please write to Philip Thompson : info@creativeculturescotland.co.uk

to create an online profile with CCS, please visit: http://creativeculturescotland.co.uk/join/

For several years the Scottish Artists Union has sought to ensure that policy-makers \"do not erase the artist\".

In their recent decision to move forward with Sir Ian Wood\'s proposal for the redevelopment of Union Terrace Gardens over that of Peacock Visual Arts, Aberdeen\'s councillors are guilty of precisely that. Not only have they brazenly defied public opinion and ignored the fact that Peacock\'s scheme had secured planning permission and the majority of its funding, they seem oblivious to the devastating blow they have delivered to the arts in the city and across the North East.

Not only will Aberdeen\'s artists and her people be denied their new arts centre, this move is very likely to spell the end of Peacock too. The organisation\'s importance to the vitality of culture in the North East cannot be over-stated. It is clear that the fight to oppose Wood\'s City Square (pathetic attempts to make it cuddlier by renaming it City Gardens not withstanding) will continue, even after the sad departure of Peacock\'s Campaign Director Elly Rothnie. But the immediate priority for all concerned must now be SAVE PEACOCK.

Scotland\'s artists already have grave concerns for their future in a post-Creative Scotland, commercially minded sector. They will perceive events in Aberdeen as the grimmest possible omen.

Scottish Artists Union
Unit 231, The Briggait, 141 Bridge Gate, Glasgow, G1 5HZ
Mob: +44(0)7849637546
Email: info@sau.org.uk
Web: www.sau.org.uk

VSA 2009 NEOS show in "knit Today" magazine

The VSA Show for NEOS 2009 has been featured in the magazine "Knit Today" - we've uploaded a low resolution version for you to have a quick preview of, if you want to read the article, we'd advise buying the magazine!

Excellent work, and fantastic publicity!

final reminder for 2010 participants to proof their entries...

The deadline to enter NEOS 2010 closed last monday - If you did create an account, we urge you to check over it, proof it, send in your image and payment...

If you did create an account, but don't wish to participate, please let us know, so we can delete your entry from the database asap.

If you are having problems logging back in, please let us know - info@northeastopenstudios.co.uk

Thanks to everyone that signed up this year!

yours, the NEOS team.

NEOS 2010: September 11th - 19th. Visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information

do you think NEOS is good?

Think NEOS is good? then why not nominate it for a Scottish Thistle Award?

http://www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk/awards-categories/nominate-a-business/

Created by VisitScotland in 1991, the Scottish Thistle Awards showcase business excellence and quality. As an important event on the tourism calendar, the media attention it generates helps VisitScotland and the sponsors raise the profile of the tourism industry. The Scottish Thistle Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in Scottish Tourism.

the Closing Date is June 30th - so please tell everyone how good NEOS is, and get them to vote too! Spread the word!

yours, The NEOS team.

NEOS 2010 Application deadline has now passed

Applications for NEOS 2010 are now closed, thank you to everyone that started / completed a profile this year... it looks like it'll be a big event!

We would now advise everyone whom has a NEOS 2010 account to log back in (http://northeastopenstudios.co.uk/login.asp) and proof read your entry, it's very important you do to ensure little or no mistakes are printed. Perhaps get someone else to cast their eyes over it too?

If you have not already done so, please send your image to info@northeastopenstudios.co.uk and send your payment (made payable to "NEOS") to the NEOS treasurer - Gowanbank, 7 Victoria Road, Kemnay, AB51 5RL.

If you missed the deadline, we advise bookmarking the NEOS website, following this blog, watching the twitter feeds or becoming a fan of NEOS on faceBook... that way, you won't miss out next year!

NEOS 2010: September 11th - 19th. Visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information

last day to join Scotland's largest open studios event...

Today is the last day you can create a 2010 NEOS account - please visit http://northeastopenstudios.co.uk/createaccount.asp to get involved...

If you have started an account, you'll need to get your image (print quality 5cm minimum) and payment to us - details on the website.

It looks like the numbers are going to be bigger than last year! so thank you one and all!

yours, The NEOS team.

NEOS 2010: September 11th - 19th. Visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information

NEOS Did you know?

When you join the North East Open Studios, you are joining up to Scotland's largest Open Studios event of its kind. Now in its 7th year NEOS is truly established in the Art scene all over Scotland, where people make the time to tour and explore the wealth of talent across Aberdeenshire. Outwith the NEOS event in September, our extensive catalogue enables the public to find, make contact, commission, source and engage with you.

NEOS is run entirely by a committee of volunteers made up of artists, makers and gallery owners from the North East, each bringing valued skills to running Scotland's biggest Open Studios event.

For your £99 membership:-

• Listing for the event & year round directory
• 24,000 catalogues/directory printed (last year we have none left!)
• Distribution all over Aberdeenshire, also key points in Scotland & rest of UK
• Available at Tourist Information points, Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire libraries
• Access to over 200 artists and makers
• Van run ~ delivering catalogues to Hotels, B&Bs for visitors the week before NEOS
• Placement on NEOS map/guide
• Web site listing
• Monthly email information
• NEOS Networking tools
  
  • Mailing list exceeding 500 (artists, makers, galleries and Friends of NEOS)
  • Friends of NEOS (emailing information about your events and invitations)
  • Your news sent out to our Blog, Twitter and FaceBook sites
  • Working in conjunction with Creative Cultures, GAIN, Cultural Enterprise Offices, SouthEast Aberdeenshire Artists as well as Creative Exchange.
• NEOS Opportunities
  
  • Galleries offering wall space
  • Christmas Exhibition & makers stalls at Bridge View, Aberdeen
  • Advertising ~ £300 full page & £180 half page in the catalogue (open to art related ventures AND non-members)
  • NEOS's workshop "making the most of.." and notes
  • NEOS youth initiative ~ £50 fee

As for the event itself ... Visitor numbers last year exceeded 15,000 and the average spent at locations across the membership is from £1,000 to £15,000 .. So, its up to you to make the most of it! The more you put in, the more you will gain from it!

Has this inspired you? If it has ... come join NEOS 2010!

Now, the deadline for NEOS is fast approaching, so please visit the web site as soon as possible!

The deadline for your application Monday 12th of April 2010.

A quick reminder...To sign up to North East Open Studios 2010, please visit our web site at http://northeastopenstudios.co.uk and you will see in the left hand column on the home page "Join NEOS 2010" where you can create your account.

In order to register as a participant for NEOS2010, you must first create a NEOS account.

Please complete the following form to create a new NEOS account and take a note of the password you choose. You will need this password to complete your NEOS registration.

The deadline for completing your form & payment is the 12th of April 2010.

After that - we will incur a late entry fee - which will be £20.

The entry system will be open until the 19th of April - any incomplete entries after that date will be deleted.

Set up of the 2010 booklet will commence - no additional entries / amendments to the database can be accepted after that date.

Please send your payment (cheques made payable to North East Open Studios) to our treasurer, at GOWANBANK, 7 Victoria Terrace, Kemnay AB51 5RL

If you require a paper application, please send a stamped addressed envelope to the address above.

If you need further help please don't hesitate to ask me, or any of the NEOS team.
NEOS 2010 Dates: September 11th - 19th.

Please visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information

Ballogie Hall, Venue for Artists & Makers

Sarah Harker from the Butterworth Gallery is offering the Ballogie Hall to artists & makers for the week of NEOS 2010.

The main hall could hold up to 12 stands with the meeting room being run as a coffee shop. The hours of attendance would be 11 am - 4pm with exhibitors being responsibly for their set up, insurance, NEOS registration and running their stall ~ demonstrations are welcome too.

Please contact Sarah by email at sarah@butterworthpaintings.co.uk or by telephone on 013398 86104 as soon as possible.
Or, you can check out more on her Facebook NEOS page at:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=mf&gid=379393445165

The Butterworth Gallery can be found on the scenic South Deeside Road B976, approximately 8 miles from Banchory and 5 miles from Aboyne. AB34 5DP. Follow the brown tourist road signs for "Butterworth Gallery".

NEOS 2010: September 11th - 19th.
Visit www .northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information

Hospitalfield, the international residential centre for artists, has now launched its plans as centre for art and culture in Angus, a support network, the Friends of Hospitalfield and a new website at www.hospitalfield.org.uk

If you would like to become a Friend of this unique and historic institution you can join online via http://www.hospitalfield.org.uk/friends/friends.php. The annual individual membership fee is £25 (£30 for couples). They are preparing a varied and exciting programme of events. Friends will receive a regular newsletter to keep them informed.

for more information, please visit : http://www.hospitalfield.org.uk/friends/friends.php

new works by Kincard-Art.

Thursday 1 April 2010, 6.00pm – 8.00pm

SMART CONSULTANTS would like to invite you and your guest to the private view of new works by Kincard-Art.
Mairi Ewen
Martin Nelson
Cath Roberts
Hazel McAllister
Kath Buchan
Patricia Walter
Jenny Watt-Colbeck
Margaret Pitt
April Pressley
Clare McCarthy
Rosy Long

SMART CONSULTANTS would be delighted if you could join them for this event. For further information e-mail gail@wearesmartconsultants.co.uk

Venue: 4 Blnk Wols
Aberdeen Arts Centre
33 King Street
Aberdeen
AB24 5AA

The Annual Inverbervie Art Show in the Burgh Hall.

This year’s show starts with an opening night on Saturday 27^th March at 7.30pm, and then opens daily from 2pm-8pm until the 4^th April.  Come and see and buy local artists’ work and at the same time support the Village Hall – proceeds are going to its upkeep and refurbishment.
Opening night entry includes wine and catalogue for £5, and entry for the remainder of the week is by donation, with tea and home baking available.

Full details at http://www.ianshewan.com/bervie2010.pdf

Platform 22 artists & makers call for NEOS

Platform 22 Gallery is looking for artists and makers for this years NEOS week

11th to 19th September 2010

In particular we are looking for participants to exhibit as well as demonstrate skills for making their work. Platform 22 would like to showcase a selection of 3D works for the event in ceramics, glass, wood, textiles and jewelery. We would like each participant to have their own entry in the NEOS booklet, but this is not essential.

Please call Emma Pattullo for more information, on 01339 882039 or email mail@platform22.co.uk as soon as possible!

NEOS2010 deadline for application is 12th April & the entry fee £99 ~ please visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information and to register your application.

Aberdeen - The Next Step: in partnership with Aberdeen City Council (CEO)

Keeping Your Creative Business on Track

Studio Workshop, Whitespace, 60 Frederick Street, Aberdeen AB24 5HY
Friday 4 June 2010, 13:00-16:45

• Do you need reassurance that you are on the right track or support in choosing which path to follow next?
• Struggling to balance the things you want to do with the things that make financial sense?
• Trying to weigh up which aspects of your business to develop and those to abandon?

This workshop provides an opportunity to take stock of your achievements to date and explore the options that lie ahead. You can use it to review your business plan, kick start the next plan, have a reality check or remotivate yourself.
Aimed at anyone working in the cultural and creative industries who has been running their own business for 3 years or more. You may have already attended our Starting Out workshop and now be looking for support with your next set of challenges.

What to Expect
You will examine the things that you are passionate about, those you are the best at and those that make financial sense for your future. You'll do one short exercise before the workshop to help focus your thinking and start the reflective process. The workshop includes practical exercises and discussion:

• Where am I at? – mapping your journey to date and the options that lie ahead. This paper exercise will establish the skills, relationships, profile and rewards that connect your experiences to date and support your future choices.
• Reinforce your values – identify the values which are indispensable to you and your business.
• Worth the investment – determine whether your current working is lucrative and what changes could help you utilise time and money more efficiently.
• Risky business? – explore the roles, responsibilities and risks involved in the different options for your development.
• The next step – decide what you want to consolidate and what you want to change in order to move your business forward.

What You'll Get Out of It
Reassurance, clarity, confidence and greater understanding of how to progress the next stage of your business.

Who'll Be Delivering the Session
Carol Sinclair, Edinburgh Adviser, Cultural Enterprise Office. Carol has been working within the creative industries for the last 20 years, combining running her own ceramics practice with delivering business support and training for a range of cultural enterprises. She is a ceramics graduate of Grays School of Art in Aberdeen and has 14 years experience of running her own studio and gallery in Edinburgh. Working as a business adviser and trainer for the last 10 years Carol joined the CEO team in 2005. She was a founder member of artists collective design-Ed, is a former director of Applied Arts Scotland, has been a specialist adviser for the Scottish Arts Council and is currently a member of two of the Creative and Cultural Skills Council's employers groups, Scottish and crafts. Carol is also involved in a variety of projects with organisations which support creative practitioners and most recently include Ideasmart, craftscotland and Glasgow School of Art. She is currently working with Edinburgh College of Art on a 4 year employability project supporting the development and delivery of professional practice for students.

In Other Words

“Was a really good experience even for the fact of meeting up with other creative individuals in the same boat. Reassured that I am still on the right track even if I don’t yet have a lot of the answers”

“Learned how to clarify my activities against time spent and income generated. These exercises will help me focus my business plan”

“Began to explore what my real desires are in what I want to do against what I could achieve and generate a decent income”

“…good thought provoking stuff which will help in my future plans.”

“Financial efficiency will be my new favourite phrase”

How to Book
You'll be pleased to hear this event is free. Please contact Whitespace on 01224 523640 to reserve your place.

How to Get There:
Studio Workshop, Whitespace, 60 Frederick Street, Aberdeen AB24 5HY

Click here for a map.

Touched by Scotland to Host Life Drawing Classes

Local Art and Craft Gallery, Touched by Scotland, is pleased to offer life drawing classes in April with talented local artist Nicole Porter.

The programme of four classes will be held on Fridays from 10am to 12 noon, beginning the 9th until the 30th of April at Touched by Scotland in Oyne, Aberdeenshire.

Tuition will be provided by Nicole Porter who will teach students the fundamental principles of life drawing.  The class is open to all levels from beginners to more experienced artists.

If you are interested in this class but cannot manage Friday mornings and would prefer an evening life drawing class, then please also get in touch.

Nicole studied at Duncan of Jordanstone, Dundee before traveling to Norway, Paris and New York to study with world renowned artists Odd Nerdrum and Steven Assael.  Nicole has exhibits throughout Scotland, London and Norway and has been awarded many prestigious awards such as:

The Artists and Illustrators Magazine Self-Portraiture Competition 2007 which involved exhibiting with the Royal Society of Portrait Painters in London.  She also won the Elizabeth Greensheilds Foundation Grant 2008 and The David Gordon Memorial Trust Award.

Please forward any enquiries to Touched by Scotland on 01464 851489 or info@touchedbyscotland.com

Creative Cultures Scotland - free on-line directory for artists, makers and galleries

Philip Thompson from  the NEOS committee also works for the charity - Creative Cultures Scotland, which have recently upgraded their website / on-line directory to enable practitioners to join for free, giving them access and control over their own directory entry. Several simple "web technologies" have been implemented so practitioners can set up their profile, linking to other content providers on the web (flickr, youTube, twitter, soundCloud and RSS feeds) - ensuring that your profile page will be populated by up to date content, with no extra work for you! to create an account - please visit http://www.creativeculturescotland.co.uk/join/ 

If this all sounds a little daunting or scary - Philip will be running some drop in sessions for you to get accustomed  with using the web and these excellent 3rd party facilities - so you can maximise your on-line presence.

If you are interested in these session, please send Philip an email - info@creativeculturescotland.co.uk

NEOS 2010 Mill Farm, Kemnay

Susie Hunt is inviting Artists and Makers who have large outdoors Pieces of work if they would like to show them at Mill Farm during NEOS event. She would also like offer space to those who wish to demonstrate the Making of work - whatever discipline. This could be half a day or longer, and Would be open to participants with or without a NEOS entry. (Though she would Encourage support of NEOS where possible.)

The aim is to create a short Art Walk round the field and to publicise the diversity of Participants in NEOS 2010.

Call Susie 01467 643569
Email: susiej.hunt@virgin.net

NEOS 2010: September 11th - 19th. Visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information

reminder for NEOS 2010 Entrants

Just a reminder that anyone sending images for their NEOS 2010 entry should send a jpeg / tif file that is 300 dpi and no smaller than 5cm wide or high. If you are unsure - please just make sure that your image is bigger than 1Mb - we can re-size it for you. Please also ensure that your image is the "right way up" and cropped to how you expect to see it in the booklet. Remember - it's very important to have a high quality image for the brochure to help us maintain the professional appearance we strive to achieve.

. NEOS 2010: September 11th - 19th. Visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information

Call for Art & Crafts Tutors!

Moray Art Centre, Findhorn, Forres is now developing its Spring/Summer programme.

We are seeking for our regular programme new tutors for classes in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and all crafts.

In addition, as an expansion of the 23 April - 22 August exhibition, Italian Renaissance drawings from the British Museum, The Courtauld Gallery and the National Galleries of Scotland; we are seeking tutors to focus on classes that will focus on:

• Renaissance concepts of form (in 2d); in the figure, portraiture, Platonic Solids
• Portraiture
• Rendering of drapery
• The Golden Section:
• Classical Ideals of Figure and Proportions
• Understanding and
• Working with Renaissance Perspective
• Renaissance music
• Renaissance poetry
• Renaissance drama
• Renaissance history

Please contact: Annabel Pattullo ~ Course Programmer

Annabel@platform22.co.uk ~ www.morayartcentre.org

Please help support Platform 22

As many of you will know Platform 22 Gallery has been a NEOS venue since opening in 2005. In that time we have out grown the existing building and we are now planning a new and improved facility with dedicated gallery, studio, workshop and coffee shop areas.

The planning application has been rumbling on since June last year, but we are at last nearing some sort of conclusion. To help the project across the finishing line we would very much appreciate if any of our supporters could take a moment to post a message of support with Aberdeenshire Council by the 28th of February 2010 at www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/planning/apps/detail.asp?ref_no=APP/2010/0257

Platform 22 has always tried to support local artists and makers, and we hope that the new building will allow us to continue and develop this.

Many thanks for your help.

Tolquhon Gallery Exhibition

GASWORKS studio now open!

GasWorks Studio is Aberdeen's newest facility for open access Printmaking and fine art print classes and workshops.

We aim to provide an open workshop with intaglio, relief and screen printing equipment, where artists are free to work in an informal and creative environment.
The studio also runs a variety of specialized workshops, open classes and personal private tuition in order to improve technique through dedicated learning.

We are now open and we would like to invite all artists, students and beginners to come and work in our great new space!


Artists Open Access Studio.
Artists are free to use all facilities in the studio.
Weekdays - 10 to 6pm, Mondays closed. Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5pm
Daily Pass : £10
Weekly Pass : £30
Monthly Membership : £65


Use of all workshop facilities and sundries included.
(own materials must be provided, but can be purchased through the studio)


Open Intaglio Printing Saturdays.
Every Saturday from 10 to 1pm
Running January to June 2010
Ongoing, entry any time
Ability: All levels
Covering a variety of techniques: hard ground etching - soft ground etching - drypoint - collagraph - monoprinting

All materials provided, £30 per class.

Open Relief Printing Sundays.
Every Sunday from 10 to 1pm
Running January to June 2010
Ongoing, entry any time
Ability: All levels

Covering a variety of techniques: linocut printing - woodcut printing - reductive printing - embossing
All materials provided, £30 per class.

One to One Private Tuition.
Personal tuition encompassing a spectrum of modern printmaking techniques and processes.
£15 per hour, (2 hour minimum)
All materials provided.

Please forward all enquiries to Lyndsey Gibb

lyndsey@gasworksstudio.co.uk

GasWorks Studio
The Loft, Top Flr,
50 Cotton Street,
Aberdeen, AB11 5EE
United Kingdom
www.GasWorksStudio.co.uk
Tel. +44(0)7835331532

NEOS 2010 is now accepting entries!

The application form is now live for you to join NEOS2010.

Online Application: STEP 1 : Create a NEOS Account

In order to register as a participant for NEOS2010, you must first create a NEOS account.
(Please note your NEOS'09 login details will NOT work. A new account must be opened). Please complete the following form to create a new NEOS account and take a note of the password you choose. You will need this password to complete your NEOS registration. The deadline for completing your form is the 12th of April 2010. After that - we will incur a late entry fee - which will be £20 and the entry system will be open until the 19th of April - any incomplete entries after that date will be deleted and the set up of the 2010 booklet will commence - no additional entries / amendments to the database can be accepted after that date.

2010 Entry fee

The Entry fee for NEOS2010 will be £99

Paper applications can be accepted for additional £10 fee (£109 total).

Send payment (cheques made payable to North East Open Studios!) to:
NEOS Treasurer, GOWANBANK, 7‚ Victoria Terrace, Kemnay, AB51 5RL

If you require a paper application, please send a stamped addressed envelope to the address above.

NEOS Youth Initiative

NEOS are also supporting young artists and makers this year by giving a reduced entry fee to anyone 24 years old and younger. The young persons entry fee is £50 - you must be 24 or younger from the 22nd of September 2010 if you have any questions, please email info@northeastopenstudios.co.uk.

NEOS 2009: September 12th - 21st. Visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information

Thanks to everyone who came to the AGM

A warm thank you to everyone that attended the NEOS AGM at the Gordon Highlanders museum on Saturday 6th of February. An excellent discussion was had about venues, group shows, non-practitioner entries and more - If you want to have a say about anything concerning you / NEOS or anything Arts related in the North East of Scotland - please let us know!

NEOS 2009: September 12th - 21st. Visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information

Stewards needed for the Lang Byre Gallery

The Lang Byre Gallery at Woodend Barn in Banchory is looking for stewards to be in the gallery. The opportunity would be ideal for a craftsperson needing a space to work or a person who is interested in contemporary art who would like a warm space to work for one to four afternoons a week. Rewards may include free tickets to events and workshops at Woodend Barn. The gallery is run by volunteers to promote local emerging artists. Please contact Fiona Hope 01330 825274 or fionaahope@hotmail.com

AGM reminder

the NEOS AGM is this weekend - February the 6th at the Gordon Highlanders Museum from 10 - 12noon. Tea coffee and scones will be served...
Come along and have your say about the future of NEOS and find out more about this years registration process, deadlines and general information.

any questions, please email us and ask! info@northeastopenstudios.co.uk

Kids Art Workshops

Annabel Pattullo is holding a wonderful Valentines Decopatch Kids Workshop at Platform 22 Gallery on Monday 8th February 4 to 5pm. It is the perfect craft to "make & take" home with you ... just in time for Valentines day! Places are limited, so book now to avoid missing out!!!

Annabel will also be starting a Children's Art Club at Platform 22 Gallery, for 8 to 12 year olds after school on Mondays . The Winter and Spring programme begins on Monday 22nd February, for 5 weeks and will include printmaking, junk art, painting, blue-print photography and textile design.

For more information about the workshops at Platform 22 Gallery, or booking enquiries please call 013398 82039 or email mail@platform22.co.uk

NEOS 2010 AGM

Please join us on Saturday 6th of February ~ 10am until 12pm,
at the Gordon Highlanders Museum, Viewfield Road, Aberdeen.

There will be a chance to ask the NEOS team questions, elect committee members, as well as an opportunity to network with other creatives. There will be tea, coffee and yummy scones to eat too!

Looking forward to seeing you there and please R.S.V.P info@northeastopenstudios.co.uk to let us know you are coming.

NEOS 2010 dates: Saturday 11th to Sunday 19th September
On-line applications will be live soon, so please keep checking & visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk for more information.