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HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND AWARD TO GLASGOW ART CLUB
One of Glasgow’s most notable cultural venues has been awarded a grant of £284,700 by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Glasgow Art Club was founded in 1867 and moved to its present location at 185 Bath Street in 1893, when two adjacent town houses were converted under the supervision of the architect John Keppie. Importantly, he was assisted by the young Charles Rennie Mackintosh, who was responsible for many of the imposing picture gallery’s art nouveau details and for a lost frieze which will now be replicated as part of the general renovation.
The grant by the HLF reflects its support for the overall conservation of this home of the arts, as well as acknowledging the particular significance of the Mackintosh connection, and the fact that the club is committed to sharing its architectural and artistic assets with the wider public, through workshops and programmes for schools and young artists, and access generally.
Although the club was founded by painters (and retains its singular title of art, rather than arts, club), its artist members include writers and musicians – and it is the meeting place for a wide range of creative people and activities. As well as exhibitions of contemporary painting throughout the year, it hosts classical, jazz and folk music concerts, and a diversity of clubs and organisations encompassing art and literature, opera and poetry, charity and commerce.
The lost Mackintosh frieze, with its characteristically bold design of alternating roses and thistles, was well documented in journals of its day. Affected by air pollution and water damage, and covered by many layers of wallpaper and paint in the succeeding century, it is not recoverable as a decorative entity. But happily, since it was originally stencilled on the gallery walls above the picture-hanging area, it can be replicated in its original splendour.
When this happens in the near future, it will make Glasgow Art Club an even more significant home for exhibitions, concerts, and educational and cultural activities – as well as an essential part of the Mackintosh trail for the great architect and artist’s global following.
For more details from Glasgow Art Club itself, contact:
Jonathan Lord, 0141 248 5210 or 07774 788844
(secretary@glasgowartclub.co.uk).
Website: www.glasgowartclub.co.uk
Notes to editors from the Heritage Lottery Fund
- Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. To date it has invested over £536 million in Scotland’s heritage.
- Further information: Please contact Shiona Mackay on 01786 870638 or 07779 142890 (shionamackay1@btinternet.com) or Jon Williams on 020 7591 6035 (jonw@hlf.org.uk).
Website: www.hlf.org.uk
The Glasgow Art Club's web site:
The Glasgow Art Club’s web site has been designed to publicise and promote the Club on the Internet and inform Members and prospective Members and others what events are taking place.
The main objectives for the web site are: -
- To promote the Club
- To provide Information on the Club’s activities
- To promote the Artist Members and their work
- To advertise the Club’s exhibition programme
- To encourage new Membership (Artists & Lay Members)
- To publicise the Restoration Appeal
- To market the Club’s facilities for functions, meetings and events
- To keep Members informed of and encourage participation in the Club’s forthcoming events and provide photograph galleries of the Club’s past events
- To facilitate contact with the Club (Contact Form)
There is an opportunity for more Artist Members to participate in our Artists Gallery section where each artist has a dedicated page and can display 6 images of their artwork.
We are very keen to maintain high standards, so if there are any feedback or improvement suggestions please send us these by completing the form on the Contact page.
The Contact form can also be used for all enquiries or contact with the Club concerning, Membership, Facilities Booking, Adding your Name to the Book for a particular event or any other enquiry.
