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Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scottish cultural institution to mark 200th anniversary with events across the country
The institution, founded in 1826, will showcase its vital role as the 'lifeblood' of Scottish culture. The director of one of Scotland's oldest cultural institutions has revealed ambitious plans for its 200th anniversary celebrations, set to showcase its vital role as the 'lifeblood' of Scottish culture. The Royal Scottish Academy (RSA), founded in 1826 as an independent, artist-led organisation supporting artists and architects, will mark its bicentenary in 2026 with a series of events spanning the country and beyond, involving over 70 cultural partners. Colin Greenslade, RSA director, told the PA news agency the celebrations aim to highlight the academy's continuous influence and commitment to its founding vision. 'The academy has had that continuous practice over 200 years with the same aims and with the same set up of a democratic organisation which is led by its artist and architect members,' Greenslade said. He added, 'The impact of the artists over that period, they've taught in art schools, they've taught in secondary schools, they've shown nationally and internationally, they've inspired generations of artists and architects that came after them.' At the heart of the RSA's mission, Greenslade explained, is artists supporting other artists. 'It's unusual for an institution to be self-sufficient and for us that comes down to the trust and interest that people have given us over the years.' Among the wide-ranging events planned, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture on Skye, will host exhibitions showcasing archive works by artists such as Peter Howson, Arthur Watson, Alexander Moffat, and Frances Walker. Shetland Museum and Archives will collaborate with the National Library of Scotland on an exhibition exploring the life and work of 20th century poet Hugh MacDiarmid, focusing on how his time in Shetland profoundly shaped his writing. Aberdeen University will exhibit paintings by RSA artists, including celebrated Scottish colourists, while the RSA's long history with architecture will be celebrated at V&A Dundee. In Glasgow, photographer Craig Easton, currently on an RSA residency, will display his work documenting a beekeeper on the Isle of Colonsay at the city's Street Level Photoworks venue. The RSA's own home on The Mound in Edinburgh will host a series of major exhibitions throughout the year. Meanwhile, the National Galleries of Scotland will unveil a new body of work by a prominent RSA member, whose identity will be revealed next year. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Beyond Scotland, the anniversary events extend into the rest of the UK, including a show on Joan Eardley's life and work at The Granary Gallery in Berwick-upon-Tweed. 'It's the biggest project of this kind that anyone has ever undertaken across Scotland,' Greenslade said. He emphasised the academy's wide reach, saying: 'The ethos of this is to reinforce to the public in Scotland and visitors to Scotland is that the academy is throughout Scotland, it's not just this Edinburgh building on The Mound.' Greenslade reassured that 'people don't have to come to Edinburgh in the summer to see academy exhibitions' as the celebrations will involve 'makers all over the country and in collections the length and breadth of the country.'
The Herald Scotland
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Royal Scottish Academy plans 200th anniversary celebrations
The academy was founded in 1826 as an independent artist-led organisation to support artists and architects and director Colin Greenslade said it remains true to that original vision. He told the PA news agency the planned celebrations will highlight how the RSA has 'been the lifeblood of culture over that period'. He added: 'The academy has had that continuous practice over 200 years with the same aims and with the same set up of a democratic organisation which is led by its artist and architect members. READ MORE: 'Utterly splendid' - I visited Edinburgh's Turner exhibition and was blown away by it 'The impact of the artists over that period – they've taught in art schools, they've taught in secondary schools, they've shown nationally and internationally, they've inspired generations of artists and architects that came after them.' Mr Greenslade said artists providing opportunities for other artists is at the heart of what the RSA does, adding: 'It's unusual for an institution to be self-sufficient and for us that comes down to the trust and interest that people have given us over the years.' Among the events planned are exhibitions throughout the year at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture on Skye, featuring archive works including those from Peter Howson, Arthur Watson, Alexander Moffat and Frances Walker. Shetland Museum & Archives will present an exhibition in collaboration with the National Library of Scotland examining 20th century poet Hugh MacDiarmid and how his time in Shetland had a profound influence on his work. Aberdeen University will exhibit paintings by RSA artists, including Scottish Colourists, while the RSA's long-standing history with architecture will be spotlighted at the V&A Dundee. Alexander Moffat's work The Rock (The Radical Road), part of the RSA's Diploma Collection (Image: RSA/PA Wire) Among the events in Glasgow is an exhibition involving photographer Craig Easton, currently undertaking an RSA residency, at the city's Street Level Photoworks venue on his work documenting a beekeeper on the Isle of Colonsay. A series of major exhibitions will also take place at the RSA's home at The Mound in Edinburgh and the National Galleries of Scotland will show a new body of work by a prominent RSA member whose identity will be revealed next year. Events to mark the 200th year are taking place elsewhere in the UK including a show on the life and work of academy member Joan Eardley at The Granary Gallery in Berwick-upon-Tweed. 'It's the biggest project of this kind that anyone has ever undertaken across Scotland,' Mr Greenslade said. 'The ethos of this is to reinforce to the public in Scotland and visitors to Scotland is that the academy is throughout Scotland, it's not just this Edinburgh building on The Mound.' He said 'people don't have to come to Edinburgh in the summer to see academy exhibitions' and the events will involve 'makers all over the country and in collections the length and breadth of the country'.
STV News
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Royal Scottish Academy 200th anniversary celebrations planned across Scotland
The director of one of Scotland's oldest cultural institutions has said celebrations planned for its 200th anniversary year will highlight its position as part of the 'lifeblood' of culture in Scotland. The Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) will hold events across the country and further afield throughout 2026 to mark its 200th year, involving more than 70 cultural partners. The academy was founded in 1826 as an independent artist-led organisation to support artists and architects and director Colin Greenslade said it remains true to that original vision. He told the PA news agency the planned celebrations will highlight how the RSA has 'been the lifeblood of culture over that period'. He added: 'The academy has had that continuous practice over 200 years with the same aims and with the same set up of a democratic organisation which is led by its artist and architect members. 'The impact of the artists over that period – they've taught in art schools, they've taught in secondary schools, they've shown nationally and internationally, they've inspired generations of artists and architects that came after them.' Mr Greenslade said artists providing opportunities for other artists is at the heart of what the RSA does, adding: 'It's unusual for an institution to be self-sufficient and for us that comes down to the trust and interest that people have given us over the years.' PA Media Alexander Moffat's work The Rock (The Radical Road), part of the RSA's Diploma Collection. Among the events planned are exhibitions throughout the year at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture on Skye, featuring archive works including those from Peter Howson, Arthur Watson, Alexander Moffat and Frances Walker. Shetland Museum & Archives will present an exhibition in collaboration with the National Library of Scotland examining 20th century poet Hugh MacDiarmid and how his time in Shetland had a profound influence on his work. Aberdeen University will exhibit paintings by RSA artists, including Scottish Colourists, while the RSA's long-standing history with architecture will be spotlighted at the V&A Dundee. Among the events in Glasgow is an exhibition involving photographer Craig Easton, currently undertaking an RSA residency, at the city's Street Level Photoworks venue on his work documenting a beekeeper on the Isle of Colonsay. A series of major exhibitions will also take place at the RSA's home at The Mound in Edinburgh and the National Galleries of Scotland will show a new body of work by a prominent RSA member whose identity will be revealed next year. Events to mark the 200th year are taking place elsewhere in the UK including a show on the life and work of academy member Joan Eardley at The Granary Gallery in Berwick-upon-Tweed. 'It's the biggest project of this kind that anyone has ever undertaken across Scotland,' Mr Greenslade said. 'The ethos of this is to reinforce to the public in Scotland and visitors to Scotland is that the academy is throughout Scotland, it's not just this Edinburgh building on The Mound.' He said 'people don't have to come to Edinburgh in the summer to see academy exhibitions' and the events will involve 'makers all over the country and in collections the length and breadth of the country'. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hamilton Spectator
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Theatre CBS takes three awards
Theatre CBS's first appearance at the province's Annual Provincial Drama Festival last month was an impressive one, as the troupe racked up nominations for eight awards and received three. Their play, Duckish, won awards for Best Production, Best Lighting, and Best Set. Not surprisingly, the people behind the troupe are pretty pleased with the fast progress they've made in such a short time. One of them is Susan Bonnell, vice president of Theatre CBS' board of directors. Bonnell has been involved with theatre most of her life, but drifted away a bit once she got married and started a family. She returned to theatre in 2015. 'My husband actually said to me, 'You know, Susan, I don't think you're as happy as you could be, and you should try and get back into theatre,'' Bonnell recalled. She did just that, first auditioning for a role in a production by Shakespeare by the Sea. 'It's been nonstop ever since,' she said. In 2021, Bonnell received a call from Vicki Greenslade, who wanted to form a community theatre group in Conception Bay South. Bonnell met with Greenslade, Gord Billard, and Jacqueline Cook at Greenslade's home that summer, and Theatre CBS was born. The troupe put on a show that Christmas and have done a couple of shows a year since then. It should be noted that Theatre CBS is not limited to CBS residents. The group has members from Holyrood, St. John's, Mount Pearl, and Paradise. A couple of years ago, Theatre CBS decided to apply for inclusion in the Newfoundland and Labrador Drama Society. They were accepted. Last year, they attended the provincial drama festival in an observer's role. 'The drama society wants you to observe for a year before you compete,' said Bonnell. So, this year, when the provincial drama festival was held at the Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre, Theatre CBS got to compete and perform Duckish. The play is Bonnell's adaption of the fairy and ghost stories of Tom Dawe, an internationally recognized poet and author from CBS. 'One of our mandates for Theatre CBS is to celebrate the shore and all things Conception Bay South, so we knew we wanted to do something to honour Mr. Dawe, and this is what emerged,' said Bonnell. Theatre CBS first performed Duckish at the Manuels River Centre in March 2024. The play was presented in the round, meaning the actors were in a circle in the middle of the audience. 'We were trying to create that sort of campfire vibe of telling ghost stories sitting around a campfire, or in a kitchen party, that kind of an experience for the audience,' said Bonnell. They reached out to Veronica Nugent who at the time was a teacher at Queen Elizabeth Regional High. She got the school's art club to help create a set. 'The audience walked into a forest and they were on the inside of the set,' said Bonnell. At the drama festival, the group had to perform on the Arts and Culture Centre's main stage. 'So, the first thing that I had to do was rewrite the show,' said Bonnell. 'We had to adapt it for the stage because performing in the round and performing on a proscenium arch stage is a really different experience.' The group also had to thin out the cast. In the March 2024 performance, the Duckish cast consisted of over 20 people, including children. The theatre group could not afford to bring so many people to Corner Brook and so narrowed down the cast to nine. They also used puppets to represent the fairies and tell some of the ghost stories. For the March 2024 performance, they worked with professional puppeteer Baptiste Neis, who did a workshop with the cast and created a couple of puppets for the show. 'So we used that experience of working with her and we created a bunch more puppets,' said Bonnell. 'We had shadow puppets, and we had some creepy doll puppets that the audience loved in Corner Brook.' Susan's husband, John Bonnell, created a new lighting plot for the show's Corner Brook performance, which won the festival's Best Lighting Award. The music also went through changes. Maureen Chafe was the play's music director in March 2024. 'We used her soundscape and then augmented it, enhanced it with some other original pieces,' said Bonnell. Bonnell's niece, who is studying music in Michigan, wrote a piece for the play that was nominated for a sound award. Duckish was also nominated for Best Costumes, and Brad Jones, who played the character Tom, was nominated for Best Actor. Bonnell said directing is different from acting. 'I've mostly been an actress over my life, and certainly in the last 10 years since coming back into theatre,' she said. 'But, as an actor, you certainly understand and know, appreciate, what it is that you like in a good director. So, I tried to embody all the things that I always look for in a good director.' Bonnell said she enjoys bringing texts to life, taking something from an idea all the way to a finished project. 'I was certainly very, very proud of what we brought to Corner Brook,' she said. 'So being novices at the drama festival, it was a very rewarding experience for everybody involved.'
