The Stromness Pier Arts Centre in Orkney is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
The centre opened its doors to the public on July 14, 1979, to house an exceptional collection of art, given to ‘the people of Orkney’ by author and peace activist Margaret Gardiner, who died in 2005.
The centre was conceived as much more than a museum to care for the collection, and exhibitions, workshops, talks and residencies have all played a vital part in its activities.
New displays celebrating the 40th anniversary will feature work from the centre’s collection, alongside letters, photographs, posters and artefacts, to illustrate its rich history as a home and centre for art in Orkney.
The Then Now When exhibition is supported by a programme of talks, workshops, educational initiatives and online promotions.
Pier Arts Centre director Neil Firth said: “We are delighted to be celebrating 40 years.
“Many of the archive items on display have not been seen before and will give visitors a bit of insight into the Pier Arts Centre and its past.
“The centre remains a vibrant and relevant organisation, firmly rooted in community life and the well-being of Orkney.
“There are many more opportunities ahead of us and as we move into our next decade, we look forward to welcoming visitors from Orkney and around the globe through our doors.”
Another new display, Margaret Gardiner – A Life of Giving, will focus on the life of the founder of the Pier Arts Centre.
Gardiner gifted her unique collection of art, which charts the development of British Modernism, establishing the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness in 1979.
She continued to visit the islands well into her 90s, and died in London on January 2, 2005, aged 100.
An early activist against fascism and war, Gardiner assisted victims of Nazi persecution to make their way to England.
The exhibition is part of Insider/Outsider, a nationwide arts festival to celebrate refugees from Nazi Europe and their contribution to British culture.
A Life of Giving includes letters, publications and photographs relating to the life and legacy of Margaret Gardiner.
The Pier Arts Centre’s 40th Anniversary exhibitions will begin today, the birth date of Margaret Gardiner, and will run over the course of the year.
The Pier Arts Centre receives Regular Funding from Creative Scotland. And its entire collection is a Recognised Collection of National Significance to Scotland.