Let there be light!
Bryan Copland • Published 29 Jun 2012 09:29
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New creative festival attracts artists of international standing
TWENTY six national and international artists will exhibit and perform in Dunbar this summer as the inaugural North Light festival sees a series of creative events happening in the town.
The festival launches tomorrow (Saturday) and runs until August 21. It aims to shine a light on the town's heritage, creativity and talent, with the help of funding from a number of organisations including Creative Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Dunbar Community Council and East Lothian Council.
North Light has just taken delivery of a tailor-made beach hut on the quayside of Victoria Harbour, courtesy of a team of apprentices at Taylor Wimpey.
The beach hut will be at the heart of activities, being inhabited and transformed by a different artist each week throughout the summer and becoming a dynamic community workshop space each week.
Events will take place throughout the town, the harbour and the John Muir Way.
Artists will be collaborating with local specialists such as the Countryside Ranger Service, Dunbar SciFest, storytellers, musicians, poets and the community to offer a programme of arts/science workshops, walks, talks and events in the landscape.
Many of the activities will be free and for all ages.
Among the artists to feature will be Edinburgh-based Natalie Taylor, who is creating a sculpture in Lauderdale Park entitled 'Queen Bee', which will grow over the summer months; and Su Grierson, from Perthshire, who creates contemporary art in rural locations.
Susie Goodwin, organiser, told the Courier: "The project is multi-layered and inter-disciplinary - it crosses boundaries to be inclusive and accessible, encouraging collaborations across practices to draw in talent from the arts and sciences.
"This is a really ambitious programme which builds on the last three years of initiatives which I have developed in Dunbar.
"It will hopefully be just the start of a valid and relevant locally-focused arts culture which has integrity to this special place while gaining national significance."
Stuart Turnbull, chairman of Dunbar Harbour Trust, said: "Dunbar Harbour Trust is delighted to be able to provide such an historic and beautiful setting for North Light, and to be able to continue our commitment to supporting the creative and visual arts in Dunbar."
Bill Torry, site manager for Taylor Wimpey East Scotland's Gospatrick Grange, added: "I'm confident the team at North Light Dunbar will ensure lots of local children enjoy a full and varied programme of activities."
North Light artist-in-residence Alastair Cook will work from McArthur's Store at Cromwell Harbour throughout the summer, working with wet plate collodion - an antique photographic technology dating from the 1850s.
The festival opens at 2pm tomorrow at the quayside at McArthur's Store, where Alastair will have an open studio for the afternoon.
For more details log, visit www.northlightdunbar.org
This article appeared in East Lothian Courier 29 Jun 12
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