On the 8th of March 1985 An Lanntair was officially opened in our original upstairs premises in Stornoway Town Hall by one of the Island’s most esteemed sons, the late writer Iain Crichton Smith.
Since then, a lot of water has gone under the bridge. But rather than labour the point with a list of triumphs and awards, landmarks and watersheds, challenges and reckonings, or the luminaries who established, developed and sustained us, suffice to say that An Lanntair is now a leading light in the arts firmament of Scotland. A beacon just as our name suggests.
To mark the occasion we held a number of commemorative and celebratory events during our 40th year, leading with an exhibition that was both retrospective and looks to the future. An anthology, comprised of works by 40 of the artists we have represented, encouraged and supported in various capacities over these past four decades. It included pieces by some who are no longer with us, by established practitioners, and by others who are at an earlier stage in their practice.
Grateful thanks to all who helped and contributed.
