News & Events
Published on July 1, 2017
On Monday 19th June the Kirkwall Community Centre was a hive of activity as members of Orkney Arts and Crafts came together to set up the annual 6 week summer exhibition and gathered in the evening of Tuesday 20th June to celebrate the 50th Jubilee Exhibition.
Honorary President, Violet Flett welcomed past and present members along with the committee members to the special celebratory evening. Gary Gibson the first Chairman of Orkney Craftsmens’ Guild (as we were known in 1967), officially opened the exhibition and went on to reminisce how the Guild was formed. Gary spoke of the founding members and how Orkney Arts and Crafts still operates on the guild’s original principles where members consistently produce local high-quality crafts including jewellery, knitting, woodwork, ceramics and stained glass to name just a few. New members continue to be subjected to appraisal with all ideas, designs and products requiring review and achievement of the high standards expected thus ensuring that quality merchandise remains on offer.
It should be noted that the Craftsmen’s Guild formed an important footing in the Orkney craft industry with many of the past members utilising the opportunities made available by continuing and launching into formal businesses which are still prominent around Orkney and further afield. One of these success stories developing from the Guild which also shares our jubilee celebrations is Ortak Jewellery.
The evening continued with a finger buffet and a display of archive material featuring some of the documentation from the first inaugural meeting alongside video footage of the 1967 exhibition produced by the late Harold Esson, a founding member and second chairman of the Guild. Gary concluded the evening by officially opening the Jubilee Exhibition doors with special guests enjoying the first viewing of the vast array of crafts on offer.
“……. with such an amazing array of products you will be spoilt for choice…..”
Opening times: Monday to Saturday incl. 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. from June 21st to Tuesday 1st August.
