Investing in art could be time well spent!

Sir – With the news that Thurso Library looks set to remain closed for this year, which also affects the Swanson Gallery, people will be suffering from art deprivation syndrome.

Fear not art lovers, as the Society of Caithness Artists is here to save the day. Actually we will save the year, for our annual exhibition takes place at Thurso High School from July 23 to August 3. It is our 78th annual exhibition and open to all artists with a Caithness connection and of all abilities. To those who think they can’t draw a straight line, then I welcome the "curved ball"!

Handing in day is July 20 at the school from 10am to 2pm. Membership fee is £5 which entitles each artist to submit up to four works of art, at least half of which must be for sale. This date is a week earlier than previous years and while it is appreciated there is a certain amount of excitement of contributors working right to the deadline, unfinished work will be rejected. If there is one thing worse than watching paint dry it’s when the paint runs off the canvas onto the floor.

The show is designed to appeal to all, even those who think the Turner Prize was invented to commemorate Tina. It’s free for visitors and in today’s climate of recession then investing in art could be time well spent.

For further details, please see www.caithnessartists.com In addition, demonstrating a keenness to move with the times (kinetic art?) we have a Facebook page.

Ian Pearson,

Chairman of the Society of Caithness Artists,

"Glendale",

Sinclair Street,

Thurso.