PRINCE CHARLES VISITS GARDENSTOWN & CROVIE
26 September 2006 Banffshire Journal

GARDENSTOWN VENTURE IS SET TO BE HAVEN FOR ARTISTS
Press & Journal 18th October 2005

A Picturesque fishing village could become a major draw for creative minds, with the launch of a dedicated holiday haven for artists.

The Creative Retreat at Gardenstown aims to lure painters, sculptors, photographers and writers from across the UK.

A growing interest in the north-east scenery has prompted local studio owners Carla and Bryan Angus to open holiday homes specifically designed and kitted out for artists. Each home comes with its own studio, commanding spectacular views of the Moray Firth.

The retreat officially opened its doors yesterday with a programme of 14 arts holiday experiences for the new year. Each session is led by practising artists, who will be on hand to guide participants through a range of creative skills.

The homes, two traditional coastal cottages in the Stroma and Bankhead areas of Gardenstown, are to be marketed across the UK, in particular London, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. It is thought the launch of new, low-cost flights from Bristol and London could make the venture more accessible.

Mrs Angus, who runs the village's Gallery 83, said: "We have invited artists from across Britain with incredibly diverse skills to lead weekends where people can tackle a range of arts activities from painting to bookmaking and writing, but those taking part need little or no experience of the arts to get involved.

"She said: "There will be plenty of opportunity to get an insight into how each artist and tutor works." The 2006 programme was launched yesterday by local MP Alex Salmond.

The SNP leader said: "I think this is an excellent initiative and I congratulate Bryan and Carla on their vision in driving this forward.

"I am delighted that they will be working closely with other businesses in the village in order to maximise the benefits which accrue locally."

He said: "The Retreat should serve to attract people to Banffshire who may not otherwise have necessarily made the journey to the north-east.

"This opens up a whole new market of people to the delights that the north-east has to offer and I wish Bryan and Carla every success with this venture."

Last month, Scottish painter John Lowrie Morrison, better known as Jolomo, told the Press and Journal he was planning to paint in the north-east for the first time.

He is better known for his depictions of Scotland's west coast, but was inspired by the Aberdeenshire corner when he hosted an exhibition at Duff House in Banff earlier this year.

A GREAT DRAW
Banffshire Journal 19th October 2005

SO IMPRESSED was MP Alex Salmond with a local couple's efforts to boost the tourist industry that he took time out on Monday to launch their 2006 programme.
Banff couple Carla and Bryan Angus established the High Street Studio in Gardenstown two years ago, as a well-equipped studio in which visiting artists could create new works.
next year. "The Creative Retreat" is opening its doors for 2006 with a programme of 14 arts holiday experiences.
In the last two years they have had success in attracting artists and holidaymakers, but creative arts holidays is an exciting new development.
Their weekend holidays are being marketed across the UK but in particular in London, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Mr and Mrs Angus say new low-cost flights from London and Bristol make this market much more accessible.
Mr Salmond said: "I think this is an excellent initiative and I congratulate Bryan and Carle on their vision in driving this forward. I am delighted that they will be working closely with other businesses in Gardenstown in order to maximize the benefits which accrue locally.
"The Creative Retreat should serve to attract people to Banffshire who may not otherwise have necessarily made the journey to the North-east. This opens up a whole new market of people to the delights which the North-east has to offer, and I wish Bryan and Carla every success with this venture."
Each of the holiday weekends will be led by practising artists, who will guide participants through an exploration of their creativity - geared to be suitable for those with or without experience.
At Monday morning's opening, Mr Salmond had his hands deep in clay, showing his sculptural skills.
Carla Angus said: 'We have invited artists from across Britain with incredibly diverse skills to lead weekends where people can tackle a range of arts activities from painting to making books, writing to environmental art, but will need little or no experience of the arts to get involved.
"The common thread in all the weekends is that they will all stimulate creativity, with plenty of opportunity to get an insight into how each artist/tutor works."
The Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership has cited the rich and diverse arts found along this coast as being one of the major attractions of the area, and will be of growing importance due to the decline of other industries, notably fishing.
Carla and Bryan moved from Bristol in 2002. Their aim was to start a new business away from the city to give other people a chance to experience the country and creativity at the same time.
The couple helped establish a business forum for Gardenstown and are involved with a number of other community ventures in the area.
Carla is a Londoner who found she fitted very well into the community of Banff, where she and Bryan live with their two children. She graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a degree in Theatre Design in 1989, going on to work extensively with theatres and touring companies across Britain, designing sets and costumes.
Carla has also been a lecturer in theatre design at a number of universities, and tutor and workshop leader for many groups. She leads arts-based workshops and activities for all ages in the Banff area.
Bryan, a native of Aberdeen, said he feels he has "come home" as his family originated from Portsoy. Son of jazz pianist, the late Munce Angus, he graduated from his home city's Gray's School of Art with a Diploma in Painting and Drawing in 1982.
He has been in the arts all his life, creating public art, leading community workshops and designing for theatre.
The couple are wellknown and respected in Banff for their artistic leadership in the annual Carnival of Youth. On one memorable occasion they took part in the parade dressed as giant lobsters.