What Do Artists Do All Year?

Discussions

22 Dec

In our last working week of the year, it is now a firmly cemented Toogs-tradition to take stock of the achievements in and around Gaada’s orbit (and breathe a collective sigh of relief/realise why we are feeling a little bit exhausted) through our final blog post of 2023:

WHAT DO ARTISTS DO ALL YEAR?

Yes it may be a cliché, but it is by no means an exageration to start this blog by saying 2023 has been TRULY TRANSFORMATIVE year for Gaada + the artist community we support.

The organisation has grown in SO many ways - from new staff joining the team; taking on community ownership of our previously leased building; securing investment from numerous supporters, including: HIE, Creative Scotland, Inspiring Scotland, Business Energy Scotland, the Shetland Islands Council, and the Shetland Charitable Trust, to name a few; delivering an interim Workshop Upgrade supported by Highland and Islands Enterprise; renaming our building TOOGS ARTIST WORKSHOP and relaunching the refreshed facilities with a Special Open Day Celebration Weekend.

This is all in addition to delivering an entire year’s programming of artist-led activity which included exhibitions, events, artist talks, workshops, work shares, publishing, commissions, and launching a new membership scheme for Shetland Artists and new open access workshop format.

All this hard work has only been possible because of an amazing and diverse network of supporters near and far. Thank you all SO much. We cannot wait to be back in 2024, for what is already shaping up to be another BIG year for Gaada + Shetland Artists.
Until then…..

Happy Yule from all of us at Gaada + Toogs Artist Workshop!

Amy, Jono, Shannon, Daniel + Lenny

Now without any further ado - let’s get to it:

What Do Artists Do All Year?

JANUARY

We started the year by welcoming Shannon to the team, in a new role which was part-funded through the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Graduate Placement Scheme. Shannon is a talented young artist and was one of the first recipients of Gaada’s annual Workshop Bursaries back in 2020 so we were excited to see the many skills she would bring into the workshop.
Artist Stuart Thompson begins his Workshop Bursary project exploring Harry Clarke, AI and religous iconography.
Assemble come to Shetland to undertake a period of research around materials and building processes for use in the future redevelopment of Gaada’s building.
As part of Gaada’s interim refurbishment (courtesy of HIE’s Young Business Capital Grant) the bespoke housing for the Island Zine Library is built and delivered by our Burra carpenter-extraordinaire, Neil Pottinger.
Artists begin experimentation with the new laser engraver in Weekly Workshops.

Artist Stuart Thompson designing a foil block on the iPad.

A very special structure + material inspiration

FEBRURARY

Long-term inspiration, artist + activist Rosalie Schweiker spends a week in the Workshop as artist-in-resident.
As part of our resource swap, Rosalie leads a workshop with Who Cares? Scotland’s #ShetlandCrew
In return, Rosalie uses the facilities to produce her annual zine “WORK” (+ kindly donates a copy to the library!)
Gaada runs the first public workshop of the year - Paper Marbling!
Some VERY large new equipment arrives, just in time for the VERY severe GALES…..
Laura Hughes continues her Workshop Bursary project, exploring Shetland Tarot and Baba Yaga!

MARCH

Elouise Spooner launches a publication F*** About created during her Workshop Bursary sessions
Belladonna Paloma: Bog Lore exhibition opens in Display
Project Ability’s Cameron Morgan visits the workshop for a day of printmaking
Jono and Shannon hosted a magnificent Paper Marbling Workshop!
Gaada founding directors Amy + Daniel undertake an organisational research residency at Cove Park, Helensburgh

Cameron Morgan relief printing a tetrapak.

Marbled sheets are hung up to dry after a busy workshop.

Exhibition **Bog Lore** by Belladonna Paloma opens in Display.

APRIL

Its official! The purchase of Gaada’s previously leased building completes, and is renamed Toogs Artist Workshop.
Artists Miriam Sentler and Wouter Osterholt of Deep Time Agency host a well-attended artist talk.

Promotional poster for artist talk by Deep Time Agency.

A woodbock print depicting the Toogs Artist Workshop.

Gaada formally renames *Da Auld Methodist Kirk*. Toogs Artist Workshop is officially on the map!

MAY

Shetland Artists gather for the Simmer Dim work share
2023 Installment of Gaada + Pamflett’s Shetland/Norwegian Artist Exchange takes place, with Oslo based artist Miriram Sentler undertaking a residency at Gaada, which culminates in the Brigði: Collaboration Day with Shetland Artists.
Stuart Thomson finishes his Workshop Bursary with the release of his zine, Artificial Hagiography!
Ceramic artist + BRICKFIELD founder Rosanna Martin delivers an amazing artist talk!

Artists enjoy a scenic walk in Burra, gathering inspiration for the **Brigði Collaboration** day.

Printmaking during the **Brigði Collaboration** day.

Smile! A group of collaborating artists pose outside Toogs with their artworks.

*Artificial Hagiography* by Stuart Thomson details a gold foil press cover.

Struan Haswell makes a relatable screenprint.

Laura used the Bursary Workshops to make a set of vibrant riso tarot cards.

JUNE

Helen Tulloch: It’s All Okay exhibition opens in Display
Gaada publishes two long-awaited artist publications: Jen Hadfield’s Kokkilorie + Julie Dennisens’s Da Holmliwatters.
Gaada is featured as a case study in a landmark ScotGov publication on Fair Work in Scottish Cultural Organisations.

Exhibition *It’s All Okay* opens in Display.

*Da Holmliwatters* by Julie Dennison rests on a bed of bright heather.

Pause for a summer break

☀︎

Pause for a summer break ☀︎

AUGUST

Shetland Community Connections launches Shared Lives - a new community support service whose branding and design was produced by Gaada in partnership with a local Artist.
The 2023/24 open call for Workshop Bursaries is launched and recieves the most applications to date.
A joyful funding announcement, as Creative Scotland confirms their continued support through Gaada’s ambitious, new 20-month programme!
Weekly Workshop artist Brian Sinclair exhibits his work at Wentworth Woodhouse!

Jono poses with a letterpress print in preperation for our Open Day!

SEPTEMBER

Gaada celebrates its 5th birthday by officially relaunching the newly refurbished Toogs Artist Workshop with a special open day weekend marked by the 3rd annual Mak A Laang Erm group exhibition!
Tirricks Tae Tyakes a new screenprint edition by Gaada’s own Jono Sandilands is published!
Gaada’s Zine Library digital catalogue is launched!
The highly anticipated comic by weekly workshop artist Andy Anderson: Barry Tait A New Pilot Part 1 is complete!
Gaada + Andy promote his debut comic with a special comic signing @ the Toll Clock shopping Centre
A marathon Screenprint Workshop + the Hairst Work Share takes place all on the same day !
Gaada launches it’s new Shetland Artist Membership, alongside the brand new directory: www.ShetlandArtists.org

The Laang Erm is back to welcome visitors to the building’s relaunch + exhibition!

Andy Anderson poses gleefully with his comic alongside Workshop Lead, Jono Sandilands.

The new Zine Library just looking epic…..

A final glimpse at the Open Day before folk arrive!

OCTOBER

Long-time weekly workshop artist Mari Johnson launches her debut edition, The Lady Artist Keyring, which then promptly sells out!
Gaada’s first ever Open Access Workshop session takes place!
Another sell-out public Screenprint Workshop takes place!!
Gaada’s traditional Halloween Party with Mari Johnson takes place, Mari dresses up as a witch and the workshop fills up with ghoulish laughter…
Migrants in Culture facilitate Visual Note-taking Training sessions for Gaada staff
Burra Beach Spree relief print edition by Weekly Workshop artist + local legend Michael Wiseman is launched!

A shared Halloween tradition now in its 4th year…..

Michael’s new print hanging out at Minn Beach, Burra (the scene of a legendary festival).

NOVEMBER

Rhys completes his 4th Annual October Drawing Challenge: this year the Mario Power-Up Challenge!
Gaada takes part in the annual Clickimin Craft Fair which proves to be our busiest yet!
Daniel leads a sold-out Zine Making Workshop at the Shetland Library as part of Book Week Scotland.
The 2023/24 Workshop Bursaries Commence!
Our publication ‘Gay Birds’ gets a much needed reprint, and redesign!
Another fully-booked Screenprint Workshop + more artists attend Open Access Workshops

Gaada’s stall at the Shetland Craft Fair 2023

Beautiful publications made at the Zine-Making workshop at the Shetland Library

DECEMBER

The exhibition Brigði Island by Miriam Sentler features in Display.
Shetland Artists gather for the last time in 2023 for the Warm Winter Work Share
Artist Chloe Tallack begins her Workshop Bursary project
A final sold-out Screenprint Christmas Card Workshop + the final Open Access for the year!