Visual Arts, October Blog

Autumn is here, and it's my favourite season of year! As we close the buildings for essential maintenance and prepare for a fresh season of exhibitions, I’m busy wrapping up the gallery and getting everything in shape for 2025. We’re planning an exciting lineup of art workshops with Creative Learning next year, including expanding our Drawn to Dance workshops, a week long Bryan Angus drawing masterclass and a new Seaweed workshop or two. It’s going to be a creative year!

Earlier this year, I got fantastic news from our superstar fundraiser, Micah. Thanks to Micah’s efforts, we secured development funding from the British Council to expand my creative horizons in Visual Arts, which means… a return trip by train to Venice for the Biennale! I’ll be journeying from Oban to Venice, ready to dive into the amazing exhibitions at the Giardini and Arsenale. I’ve been poring over research on the artists - can’t wait to see work from Archie Moore and Koo Jeong A, with artists representing Britain, Ireland, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Zimbabwe, and Taiwan. And, I might try and sneak a moment at the iconic Olivetti showroom. It promises to be an inspiring and transformative experience!

Marketing Manager, October Blog

Our big marketing news is we scored funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise to hire a marketing assistant for 2025! After interviewing some exceptional candidates and careful deliberation, we’re thrilled to welcome Fin, who comes to us from Beacon Arts. This winter, Fin and I will dive into planning and refining our strategies for next year.

It’s been a lean year budget-wise, so receiving these new resources—funding for artistic development and a new marketing team member—feels like a big win. With the Creative Scotland funding application announcement soon and all the experience I’ve gathered over the years here at An Tobar and Mull Theatre, we’re poised for an exciting and ambitious 2025.