Silver anniversary re-opening for Kingussie's Iona Gallery
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Badenoch's renowned Iona Gallery is set to re-open on July 29 with the Society of Badenoch and Strathspey Artists’ 25th anniversary summer festival of arts and crafts.
After the extended closure caused by the CoVid-19 pandemic, members have been keen to get the gallery open to the public again, and the trustees have evolved a carefully considered set of measures, including face coverings, one-way system and use of the ‘check-in’ system provided through the Cairngorms Business Partnership to facilitate tracing.
It is expected that there will be around 90 pieces of new artwork from members old and new on show together with a range of craft work, cards and prints.
A system has been devised to allow customers to select cards and prints without touching them, to avoid multiple contact risk, and sales will be by card only - contactless where possible.
David Fallows, chair of the society, told the Strathy: “We are absolutely delighted at the prospect of opening once again, despite the huge amount of work that pulling together all the safety guidelines, organising the manning rota nd co-ordinating and labelling the entries represents.
"A huge thank you goes to all contributors and especially those who have been able to volunteer to man the gallery,”
The first exhibition, which brought about the formation of the Society, was 25 years ago, and the show has been held every year since then.
A decade ago, the society was granted a peppercorn 25-year-lease of the gallery from Highland Council and three years ago the society also gained charitable status.
Now it is lodging papers in a bid to acquire the premises permanently.
With a strong membership of more than 75, the organisation continues to go from strength to strength and looks forward to continuing to expand the range of activities on offer for community benefit.
The exhibition runs from Wednesday July 29 to Saturday August 15 daily, from 1pm to 5pm. No advance booking is required, though social distancing will limit the number of related groups of people visiting to ten at any one time, so it is just possible that some visitors may be asked to wait. Admission, as always, will be free.
