Inverness Airport exhibition to help Wasps artists' careers take off
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An exhibition by University of the Highlands and Islands graduates at Inverness Airport has had a fresh instalment of new works by local emerging artists.
Works by six artists feature in the public area of the Highlands and Islands transport hub, welcoming visitors to the region. The exhibition runs until spring 2022.
The new exhibition is part of the Highland Creatives programme, a partnership between Inverness Airport, the University of the Highlands and Islands and national studios provider Wasps.
Former Moray College of Art UHI student Yelena Visemirska’s work hangs alongside paintings by fellow UHI graduate Robbie MacIntosh, as well as photography by their tutors Rachel Fermi and Matt Sillars, and paintings by visual artist Izzy Thomson and abstract specialist Martin Irish.
All artists now work from studios at Wasps Inverness Creative Academy in the former Inverness Royal Academy building in the city's Crown area.
Highland Creatives provides an opportunity for local emerging artists to showcase their work in a public space. The art will also be available to buy directly from the creators.
Wasps chief executive Audrey Carlin said: “Wasps is proud to help facilitate this exhibition in a busy building, which allows the works by these talented artists to be seen by the many people visiting Inverness and the Highlands. With the support of Inverness Airport and the University of the Highlands and Islands we’ll reach a greater number of people interested in the cultural activity of the region.”
Graeme Bell, Inverness Airport manager, added: “The exhibition has been a great addition to the terminal building. The artwork offers visitors to the airport an insight into the unique culture and visual identity of Inverness and the Highlands.
“We are happy to be supporting a new group of local artists by displaying their work at the airport. I hope that both visitors and staff will take the time to enjoy the work being exhibited over the coming months.”
Managed by Wasps, Inverness Creative Academy Phase 1 opened in November 2018. It is the first creative hub in the Highlands to provide a space for artists, makers and creative industries. Inverness College UHI has its own studio space within Inverness Creative Academy, providing creative space and collaborative opportunities for their students.
Nicola Smith, head of careers and employability at the University of the Highlands and Islands, said: “It is fantastic to see the university graduates’ work being exhibited at Inverness Airport. This is not only a fabulous opportunity for them to showcase their work but also to build their creative profile alongside the university’s tutors.”
Earlier in the year, Wasps chief executive Audrey Carlin and the first artists to exhibit at Inverness Airport, Yelena Visemirska, Evija Laivina and Louise Innes, practitioners at Wasps’ Inverness Creative Academy, featured in an episode of the University of the Highlands’ FutureMe podcast, which is available to listen to at www.uhi.ac.uk/en/students/careers.
The final phase of the development of the former Inverness Royal Academy buildings is due to be completed shortly and is expected to open early next year.
