At Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Community and Customer Services Committee today (8th March) Members were asked to recognise the success of Dumfries and Galloway Museums and Galleries Service in achieving an award of Recognition as a Collection of National Significance for its Kirkcudbright Artists’ collection of fine and decorative art.
Before the meeting Started Councillor Tom McAughtrie, Chair of Community and Customer Services Committee, and Vice Chair, Councillor John Martin were pictured with one of the paintings from the Kirkcudbright Artists’ Collection: the Kirkcudbright Lassie by E A Hornel, which is currently on show at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries.
The Kirkcudbright Artists’ Collection is an assortment of fine and decorative art which records Kirkcudbright’s unique part in Scotland’s Art History. As a recognised Collection it has now joined a list of Scottish museum collections considered to be of greatest value to the nation and a must-see attraction.
The Scottish Government initiated the Recognition Scheme in order to acknowledge collections which demonstrate the nation’s identity and diversity. The schemes main purposes are to highlight the collections and to widen access for more people to enjoy them.
The award now opens up access for Dumfries and Galloway Council to apply for Recognition funding from Museum Galleries Scotland to improve how people experience the collection.
Kirkcudbright’s association with the Glasgow art movement started when several artists, including Glasgow Boys and Scottish Colourists, such as Samuel Peploe and Francis Cadell, based themselves in the area. Between 1880 and 1980 over 100 artists painted there and the Kirkcudbright Artists’ Collection, cared for by Dumfries and Galloway Council, illustrates the lives and works of the collective and roots the town firmly in the history of Scottish Art.
Chair of Community and Customer Service Committee, Councillor Tom McAughtrie said: “I am delighted that Dumfries and Galloway Arts and Museum service now holds three of Scotland’s 46 Recognised Collections. The Kirkcudbright Artists’ collection is now joining the collection of artefacts associated with Robert Burns and the Archaeology collections, which were already on the list.
Building the local economy is the number one priority for our Council and this is a great opportunity for people to make a visit to the area, not only to view the collection, but also to find out what else Dumfries and Galloway has to offer. ”
Photograph attached show:
Rebecca Coggins, Principal Officer Arts and Museums; Anne Ramsbottom, Museums Curator West; Chair of CCS Committee, Cllr Tom McAughtrie; Vice Chair CCS Committee, Cllr John Martin
with ‘The Kirkcudbright Lassie’ by E A Hornel
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