An Lanntair is set to banish any post HebCelt blues with an extra special Courtyard Party and the opening of our popular Grinneas nan Eilean exhibition on Saturday 23 July!
The day of sound and vision kicks-off at 10am with Clàr’s summer workshop Stornoway Sound Systems, followed at 3pm with an open invite to all to join the Stornoway Sound Systems Courtyard Party; and then at 5pm we celebrate local creativity with our Island Open exhibition, Grinneas nan Eilean!
An all-day celebration of D.I.Y Soundsystem culture and music, the Stornoway Sound Systems workshop is open to creatives aged 14 to 25 years, and includes guest appearance and tuition from DJ Junglehussi, Matthew Arthur Williams.
Robbie Thomson, Clàr programme leader says: “Being involved in soundsystems has been a huge part of my creative life, from DJing and music production to technical skills and event promotion, there are so many inspiring aspects to putting on your own events that we’re excited to share.
“We’re thrilled to have Junglehussi joining us to lead the session as he’s someone who is such a versatile and knowledgeable performer – also he always knows how to fill a dancefloor!”
Free to attend, (booking is essential), Stornoway Sound Systems workshops participants will explore the sounds and origins of the soundclash, look at how these stacks of bass bins inspired the rave scene and consider the ‘do it yourself’ spirit that is fundamental to progressive cultural movements.
DJ Junglehussi leads this hands-on workshop, exploring everything from organising your set to perfecting a mix, looking at the basics of building a speaker box, what knowledge and tech you need to get start your own rig, and how to do it on the cheap. No prior experience necessary, open to all musical tastes and abilities.
If that’s not exciting enough – from 3pm we’ll move things outside and turn up the bass with the Stornoway Sound Systems Courtyard Party. Starting with the chance for workshop participants to put their practice into action, the party continues with sets from local DJs as well as a special Junglehussi selection. Fingers crossed for sunshine!
From one party to the other – An Lanntair looks forward to celebrating the much-anticipated opening of the Grinneas nan Eilean exhibition; the Islands Open exhibition that has been a staple in the art centre’s history since its foundation in 1985.
As always, there has been countless submissions coming in for the open exhibition – all kinds of work, covering all the known disciplines, from painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, to ceramics and textiles…presented by professionals, amateurs and enthusiasts alike.
An Lanntair sends their gratitude and thanks to all who have taken the opportunity to add a splash of their own artistic character to the high walls of our gallery, to make it come to life!
Head of Visual Arts Roddy Murray commented: “I always feel with Grinneas that An Lanntair is going back to its roots. It’s especially exciting to get that snapshot of what people are up to in the islands, creatively.
“The volume and variety of work is overwhelming and it’s a tough challenge to hang in a coherent manner, although somehow we seem to manage it. It’s also interesting this year because it’s post-Covid – a kind of return to normality – and of course there is the incentive that your work might be selected for the exhibition at the Royal National Mod in Perth in October.”
You’ve got to be in it to win it – and five selected works from Grinneas will be shown in the inaugural Highland Art Prize exhibition and competition at the City Contemporary Art Gallery in Perth as part of the Royal National Mod (14-22 October). Good luck to all our Grinneas exhibitors!