There are many things that are harbingers of Christmas. Two of my favourites are the Christmas Exhibition at the Pier Arts Centre, and Shearer's in Kirkwall that opens a Christmas shop upstairs, complete with old lamps, fire, tree and Santa! Oh and lots of goodies too.
Above Santa keeps warm by the fire! Among the Christmas goodies are oil lamps....
And over the fireplace too.....
The bigger versions of the lamp below was also a heat lamp as the reflector shield behind radiated the heat from the lamp.
In the summer months the upstairs is used for farm seed mixes for pastures, wildflower meadows, gardens etc. I had some mixed up for me once when the garden was new. I was fascinated with the process, a handful from here, another from that sack, thrown on the floor and mixed with a brush and spade and then put into a bag and weighed. And my garden did very well too!
After spending time in Shearer's I headed back to Stromness and the Pier Arts Centre. The Christmas exhibition is great, anyone can put items in, whether a student, professional artist, or keen amateur. There is such a diversity of pieces this year. Goodness knows how they curate it.
Here are a selection of paintings (abstract and the more representational), lighting, ceramics, glass, jewellery and fabrics, much of it inspired by Orkney culture and landscape.
We are so lucky to have this amazing free art gallery and wonderful space within Stromness. I love the lines in this picture..... (the neon sign says I heart (Love) Life - very appropriate!)
The back of the gallery looks over Stromness harbour with the "Nav School" (Navigation school) next door where mariners can learn the art of navigation. They do a great job with lots of the school kids and youth groups too as so many youngsters are keen to have a wee boat.
And in the reception area a very minimalist Christmas Tree!
Then it was off to the local library (yes we have a wonderful one in Stromness) to sit and read till it was time for my boat home. The view from upstairs is wonderful. I could watch my ferry being prepared for the trip to Graemsay and Hoy, and see the Hoy High lighthouse and my house to the right of the mast on the vessel.
I watched one of the local librarians go out to feed Donald (Duck) his tea. Another local came along with bottles of water that are used to mix Donald's food. Donald appeared a couple of years ago all on his own. It's thought he may have been dumped by someone who no longer wanted to keep him. Ducks usually like company but he has evaded all attempts to catch him to take him to a farm. So the crew of the MV Graemsay and other folk at the harbour (and the library!) feed him. When he gets lonely he apparently swims down towards the Primary School where the kids feed him and there are wild ducks down there. He seems quite happy and is probably the fatest duck in Orkney.
Would be interested in hearing more about your library as we are going through a downsize of our library and the loss of 2-3 other local ones being cut. Also have to say the art gallery looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to our website : http://www.orkneylibrary.org.uk/
DeleteWe are SO lucky with our library in Orkney. A larger one in Kirkwall (new build) and a smaller one in a multi purpose building in Stromness. Both are very active with book groups and other activities. You can borrow DVDs, CDs, and even jigsaws as well as book. Our local authority has made cuts in services but we were fortunate that allowed a new build for the library in Stromness a few years ago. The Kirkwall library also has an archive which is a mine of information and I love going there. There is some archive material in Stromness too. And then there is "Booky McBookface" - the library van which tours around the islands. It can't get to Graemsay because of no ro-ro but they run a book delivery service (think it's called a family book scheme) where you can register and tell them what you like reading and then send out a box of box every month I think.
Our Librarians are very knowledgeable and also arrange for authors to come up and give talks (these are free events).
As I say the Stromness Library is in a multi-purpose building but they still do book-bug sessions etc and are also the "one stop shop" for paying council tax and other things like that. A bank also visits on a Friday, and a police representative is there once a week too. We are well aware how lucky we are compared to so many other areas!
The art gallery is a charitable trust and has a great permanent collection as well as engaging well with the community. Again it is in a fantastic building which was extended wonderfully in recent years. And it's FREE ENTRY.