Treasured paintings from one of the world’s top galleries are coming to an Aberdeenshire town.
Beautiful works from the National Gallery in London are going on display in Huntly, alongside a jam-packed programme of free creative workshops, events, talks, artists’ walks and more.
The gallery created Art Road Trip to mark its 200th birthday and Huntly is one of only two Scottish stops on its UK-wide tour.
Local arts organisation Deveron Projects helped secure an in-demand visit from the exciting project, between Tuesday, August 20 to Sunday, August 31.
Since the beginning of 2024, the organisation has been working with artist, writer and researcher Natasha Ruwona, National Gallery teams, and local groups to create a two-week celebration.
Using the National Gallery’s collections as a starting point, in particular an 1826 painting by English artist John Constable named The Cornfield, the programme aims to draw out connections between paintings of idyllic countryside scenes and what it is like to live and work in Huntly and surrounding rural areas.
A Deveron Projects spokesperson added: “What can these paintings reveal, or conceal?”
Also among the more than 20 events taking place is the town-wide schools’ exhibition, with artwork by five local primary schools presented in a trail across the town centre in local businesses and shopfronts.
With over 150 pieces of artwork developed through the National Gallery’s programme for primary school children Take One Picture, the exhibition showcases the brilliant creative talents of Huntly’s young people.
Children from the schools involved will visit their exhibition throughout the programme and participate in creative workshops with the National Gallery’s facilitators.
Events centre on the Square Deal building, ranging from informal drop-in activities, to free creative workshops led by expert National Gallery facilitators on drawing and printing, making installations and creative writing among others.
Alongside the creative workshops, an artists’ programme co-produced with artist-in-residence at Deveron Projects, Natasha Ruwona, will offer guided walks, talks and film screenings.
The programme also explores personal and collective relationships to time through memory and ecological, queer and black experiences.
These events are accompanied by a talks programme, featuring local experts and enthusiasts who will talk about Huntly’s farming histories and futures.
Jenny Salmean, Co-Director at Deveron Projects says, “We can’t wait to welcome everyone into such an exciting and unique programme.
“Bringing the National Gallery to Huntly and being a small part of its 200th anniversary celebrations will offer communities in Aberdeenshire a once-in-a-lifetime chance to delve into some of the most famous paintings in the world and explore their relevance to our daily lives and surroundings here in the north-east of Scotland.
“A huge thank you to all of the local partners who have made this possible, including local primary schools, local businesses and groups.
“We can’t wait to see you all at the events!”
For the full Art Road Trip programme, click here, pick up a printed programme around town.
Anna Murray, national partnerships programmer at the National Gallery said: “The National Gallery team is excited to partner with Deveron Projects and bring Art Road Trip to Huntly.
“We’ve collaborated to design a programme filled with creative and engaging events, drawing on Deveron Projects’ rich history of community-led practice.
“Together we’ve wanted to bring memorable experiences and high-quality artistic workshops that reflect the creative spirit of the local community in Huntly.”