PVAF 2008

The fourth Perthshire Visual Arts Forum (PVAF) took place at Birnam Institute on 18th & 19th October 2008. It was run in conjunction with a local Art Trail (pilot study). There was a general overall theme of 'There to `Here', making where we are the centre, and concentrating on links, connections and making contemporary art happen here in rural Perthshire.

The Forum comprised high level artist speakers, discussions, professional development talks, breakout mini workshop sessions, discussions and an inclusive artists art project 'In Transit' which was exhibited for 3 weeks in the Birnam Institute exhibition space. This also became part of the Art Trail. The Travelling Gallery attended for one day with its current exhibition 'On Edge'. The Forum was attended by 103 artists including 2 artists from Germany, and a group of seven artist/musicians from Japan all of whom made a 10 day visit to Scotland hosted by local artists. The Japanese group ran Furoshiki community workshops which were part of the Big Draw programme as well as musical evenings during their visit. Documentation of these projects can be found on the website by clicking Projects, Events, Showcase in the toolbar.

Two of this years keynote speakers Kerry Morrison and Samantha Clark were each commissioned to make an art project which they were able to discuss with artists through their talks and breakout sessions. Other speakers included Steve Messam from the Fold gallery and FRED project in Cumbria, Sandy Thomson from Cultural Enterprise Office , Laura Hunter a painter and Vice President of the Scottish Artists Union from Glasgow who spoke about her own work and professional issues which artists encounter. The final speaker was Ohya Rica from Japan who gave an inspirational talk about her own work and its relationship with the environment.

The PVAF committee have developed reciprocal links with a number of organisations including the Contemporary Visual Art Centre, Vestjylland, Denmark; Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Aberdeenshire; Threshold Artspace at Horsecross Concert Hall in Perth and the Cultural Enterprise Office.

Funding for this year's PVAF event was obtained from a number of sources including the Scottish Arts Council, Perth & Kinross Council, Perthshire Public Arts Trust, The Thomson Charitable Trust and The J D Fergusson Trust. The Japanese artists' visit was funded entirely by The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation and The Japan Society.