PICTURES: Princess Royal visits the Highland capital to officially open Inverness Creative Academy arts centre following a four-year £6 million conversion of two properties of historical significance
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The Highland capital welcomed a royal visitor yesterday as HRH The Princess Royal visited the city to see the region's first major creative hub at Inverness Creative Academy.
It first opened its doors to the north of Scotland’s cultural and business communities earlier this year, following a four-year, £6 million conversion of two properties of historical significance.
The new development provides working accommodation for visual and applied artists, and office space for the creative industries, social enterprise and charity sectors.
During her official visit she met the key contributors to the development project, as well as Wasps staff, artists who have occupied the first phase of the academy since its opening in 2018 as well as those who have moved into the final phase.
The Princess Royal also considered the close ties Inverness Creative Academy has forged with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), of which she is chancellor.
The Princess Royal also met with some of the participants of Wasps’ OpenArts initiative, a programme conceived to support wellbeing, promote social inclusion, and increase accessibility to artmaking for disadvantaged groups in the area.
Before unveiling a plaque she said: "Buildings of this heritage do have so much to offer."
Amelie Irish, who is 11 years old and from Inverness, presented her with a small gift and she said she found the experience to be "exciting".
Her twin sister Charlotte Irish also made a small presentation and said she was nervous beforehand but added: "She made me feel quite good."
Inverness based artist Frank To also met her with some of his students. He said: "It went well. She spoke mostly to the students. I think it's great to have someone like that to acknowledge the building and Wasps and the students."
Student Isla Jacobs added: "It was really good meeting her and she asked us about working through the pandemic and what it was like."
Artist Catherine Carr made a small vase which was presented to the Princess Royal by the twin sisters.
She said she had been commissioned to make it by Wasps and added: "It took ages to get the right colours and the right design that everybody was happy with. I am pretty impressed that she has it – it's amazing."
Inverness Creative Academy’s development has been generously supported by Wasps’ Foundation Partners Highlands & Islands Enterprise, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, Inverness Common Good Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, The Highland Council, The Scottish Government, Inverness City Heritage Trust, Foyle Foundation, Creative Scotland, and many more organisations and individuals who have recognised the value such a facility brings to the city and the region.
Wasps chief executive Audrey Carlin said: “We have been honoured to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to Inverness Creative Academy and proud to showcase the new cultural addition to the city and region.
"I’m delighted that The Princess Royal accepted our offer – what Wasps does fits well with her interests and background, as a supporter of charities, creativity and her connections with Scotland.
“As The Princess Royal’s visit also marked the official opening of Inverness Creative Academy, it offered us the chance to thank our supporters and partners who have given their time, energy and enthusiasm to enable Wasps to achieve completion of this facility, and so make a valuable contribution to the Highlands’ cultural network.”
Wasps is presenting a year-round arts programme at Inverness Creative Academy, and The Princess Royal’s visit coincided with the opening of a new exhibition, Home & Away, supporting artists who have connections with the city.
• For further information relating to Inverness Creative Academy and Wasps visit the Wasps website.
