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Friends of Hospitalfield

Home > Friends > News Roundup

Latest Friends Newsletter

Hospitalfield is once again proud to present another exciting season of events and evenings which will see the house come to life with Jazz, Folk, Gourmet Suppers and the hugely successful Doors Open Days. We very much hope to have the pleasure of welcoming our Friends at the upcoming events as listed below. For bookings and enquiries please contact friends@hospitalfield.org.uk

Autumn Events at Hospitalfield >>

Friends news roundup

Hospitalfield launches art masterclasses
A new series of residential art masterclasses launches at Hospitalfield this week (Friday 15 April) which, over the coming months, will cover a range of subjects including life drawing, bookmaking, oriental mark making, photography and various kinds of printmaking.
This is the first full series of masterclasses to be staged at Hospitalfield as part of an initiative to develop the artistic programme and widen access to the historic centre for the arts. The recent addition of a refurbished print studio to Hospitalfield’s facilities has allowed fresh developments including courses in light and shade, engraving, drypoint and woodcut..
Masterclass co-ordinator and figurative artist Rebecca Westguard explains:  “The 2011 Hospitalfield Masterclass Programme has been developed to complement the legacy of Patrick Allan-Fraser who left the house and various collections to support and inspire the development of artists.”
 Participants will spend concentrated periods of up to five days in the inspiring surroundings challenging their artistic abilities and developing their skills. The series begins with a weekend course led by Rebecca who will be guiding participants through the complexities of capturing the human form on paper. Students will be studying from life with models in a range of poses and environments making full use of the historic house and studios.
At the end of the month (29 April) Robert Jackson of Dundee Contemporary Arts will lead the first residential weekend printmaking course in the new Kinpurnie Print Studio at Hospitalfield. Students will learn how to create light and shade with etching and other intaglio techniques using zinc printing plates.
In May north east artist Kelly Sim leads a class on bookmaking when students will not only create their own beautifully handcrafted books but will also have the opportunity to sculpt pages in an “altered book“ project. Details of the masterclass programme are below:

Congratulations to Rebecca on being named winner of the National Open Art Competition 2010 Scottish Prize sponsored by The Orrin Trust and being featured as Artist of the Month at http://www.thenationalopenartcompetition.com/region-of-the-month.php

Meet Alison
Good news! Hospitalfield is now benefiting from some part time administrative help supported by funding from a range of local trusts. As a result Alison MacDonald is co-ordinating Friends enquiries, membership renewals and events reservations on a dedicated mobile number 07825 872370 or via the email friends@hospitalfield.org.uk

One of Alison’s first tasks has been to start the process of sending out membership renewals to our first Friends who joined in March 2010. This year we are pleased to be able to include the Gift Aid option which is no extra cost to members but can add considerably to membership income for the Trust. Friends can also take advantage of our Early Bird offer to renew their membership promptly and benefit from a £5 reduction.

Book now for the following events in April
Saturday 16th Jazz Event: jazz guitarist Howard Alden and innovative vocalist Jeanne Gies – two great artists direct from New York - are joined by Scottish brass player Ricky Steele for a cool Saturday performance. 8pm. Tickets from Alan Steadman 01382 774648 £12 (discount for Friends).

Wednesday 27th Morris Pert remembered - lecture-recital on the work of the late Arbroath musician and composer Morris Pert. Morris played with Paul McCartney, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Kate Bush among others, as well as pursuing his solo career. In this lecture recital presenter and pianist Mark Spalding will concentrate on key aspects of Pert’s contribution on the anniversary of his death. 7.30pm Tickets £8 at the door or £7.50 in advance from friends@hospitalfield.org.uk  or tel Alison, secretary to the Friends on 07825 872370. Free entry for full time students.

Rab Noakes plays Hospitalfield
We are delighted to welcome one of Scotland’s most creative singer/songwriters, Rab Noakes, to play Hospitalfield on Saturday 14 May in a new move building on the popular jazz programme and extending the music scene to a wider audience
Afounding member of Stealer's Wheel and a force to be reckoned with in the world of music in Scotland and beyond, Rab returns to Arbroath - scene of many a boyhood jaunt. Over the years Rab Noakes has made his presence felt as a creative entity across music and media. His first album was released in 1970. Thirty years later Rab formed his own record label and has since released a total of ten records on Neon. This year he will release no fewer than three new albums.

Born in 1947 Rab grew up with rock'n'roll and has worked with a wide range of artists over the years. In the ’eighties Noakes teamed up with some young Glaswegian musicians including Brendan Moon, Lorraine McIntosh and Andy Alston to form Gene Pitney's Birthday. Into the 'nineties this grew into The Varaflames whose members have included harmonica-ace Fraser Speirs, Rod Clements of Lindisfarne, guitar-ace Jerry Donahue, Deacon Blue's Ewen Vernal, David Paton of Pilot and Pick Withers of Dire Straits. Rab Noakes has also been involved with some high-profile music production activity on shows such as John Byrne's Your Cheatin' Heart and Elaine C. Smith's TV series. He sat on the Scottish Arts Council for four years and was appointed to the Joint Board of SAC & Scottish Screen from 2006 - 2010.
Book now for his concert on Saturday 14 May at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 at the door or £9.50 in advance from friends@hospitalfield.org.uk  or tel Alison, secretary to the Friends on 07825 872370.

Other May events include:
Saturday 7th   Jazz Event: The Tim Kliphuis Trio. Virtuoso violinist Tim Kliphuis plays in the Stephane Grappelli style with Roy Percy and Nigel Clark. Tickets to all jazz events only from Alan Steadman 01382 774648 8pm, £12 (discount for Friends).
Wednesday 18th Acclaimed New York artist Jo Yarrington shares insights into her world working with physicists, neuroscientists, writers, architects and composers in creating her extraordinary artwork. Tickets £8 at the door or £7.50 in advance from friends@hospitalfield.org.uk  or tel Alison, secretary to the Friends on 07825 872370. Free entry for full time students.

Artist in residence
Artist Bronwen Hyde, from Brisbane, Australia, is in residence this month at Hospitalfield, working with photography. Bronwen’s speciality is to develop images of environment and identity including a year long project in which she created a new selfportrait each day for 365 days. Images of her work can be seen at www.bronwenhyde.com A meet the artist event is planned for secondary school pupils.

Spring has sprung
Residents at the new season’s masterclasses will be among the first to benefit from a full complement of new mattresses recently purchased for all 26 beds at Hospitalfield – part of a rolling programme of improvements to facilities.

New wing
The Trust’s longer term vision for a superb new residential wing was unveiled at Hospitalfield’s first Friends Anniversary event in March. The wing, designed by award winning architect Fred Stephen and comprising ensuite accommodation for an additional 17 residents, is part of the Trust’s developing strategy for Hospitalfield’s future which will only be secured in the long term by finding additional income streams. Sympathetically designed in brick and timber, the planned wing extends from the back of the house towards the studios and round the corner to join up with the old fernery.
In recognition of Fred’s generosity in drawing up the plans and artist’s impression, his Glamis-based practice James F Stephen Architects was made the first Honorary Corporate Friend of Hospitalfield.

First Anniversary success
Over 100 guests attended the first Friends Anniversary event in March when Hospitalfield’s remarkable progress over the year was highlighted by chairman Kenneth Cargill. Playwright and artist John Byrne – our second Honorary Patron - was delighted to return to the house with his partner Jeanine Davies, 50 years after having spent a summer there while studying at Glasgow School of Art. He recalled his “magical” experience in 1961, including dressing up in a suit of armour and playing cricket on the lawn! John will return to Hospitalfield soon – watch this space.

On the very day of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Peter Bowman and two Japanese associates from Kengo Kuma who were visiting from Tokyo, delivered a fascinating presentation on progress on the V & A Dundee. All were relieved to hear that their families in Tokyo were safe.

Artist and alumnus Stewart Buchanan generously donated a charming oil on canvas executed in the Joan Eardley studio at Catterline for silent auction on the night when bids reached £400. The event also saw the unveiling of a splendid donations box on a custom made oak plinth kindly crafted by Peter Messer for Hospitalfield. Feedback on the evening was first class and Friends showed their appreciation by patronising the new donations box on their way out. Thank you to all who so generously contributed.

Open Day March
The March Open Day was well patronised with over 200 visitors many of them local people who confessed to be first time visitors. All enjoyed free tours of the historic building and environs with “back-to-back crocodiles” weaving their way up and down stairs and through the maze of corridors – thanks to our volunteer guides… and chair. A first class selection of crafts on sale in the jazz room attracted interest and catering served by a busy group of volunteers was a huge success. Upstairs Hill Street Singers entertained while costumed members of the Arbroath Abbey Time Themes added to the atmosphere.  Next Open Day will be Sunday 12 June so do come back and bring your guests.

Guide book
Plans to publish a short history of Hospitalfield received a boost with a recent grant of £1,500 from the Strathmartine Trust. Work will continue on this over the coming months. The resulting book, drawing on the encyclopaedic knowledge of Hospitalfield Director Willie Payne, will be on sale to all visitors giving an illustrated and accessible guide to the key aspects of the house and its history.

Events and audience development
Four months into her post as part time events and audience development manager, Rebecca Westguard can report excellent progress. Hospitalfield has logged one thousand visitors over a range of ten events in the events programme including open days, concerts, wining and dining and talks. A rich and varied programme of future events is in the making and an excellent series of masterclasses has been established. Over 50 new Friends have joined up bringing our number to well over 200, with an ambitious target of 300 within the next few months.  Do help us to reach this target by encouraging your friends to join up.

Free notelets
To help us reach our target of 300 Friends we are offering a free pack of the exclusive Hospitalfield notelets worth £6 for every membership (double or single) you procure. Friends forms are available at www.hospitalfield.org.uk  or from friends@hospitalfield.org.uk  or tel Alison, secretary to the Friends on 07825 872370.

We very much value your opinion and with a view to improve on every event programmed, we would be much obliged if you could take a moment to complete the following printable events feedback form. Please return completed forms via email to rebecca@westguard.co.uk or via post to R.J.Westguard, Hospitalfield, Arbroath, Angus, DD11 2NH.

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