The Eastgate Community Gallery is located adjacent to Next in the upper mall (Level 4) of the Centre, and gives local schools, community groups, artists, and photographers the opportunity to showcase their visual art at a prime City Centre location for free.
Kirstin Gault, Eastgate’s Digital and Marketing Executive, said:
“Our Community Gallery is a fantastic way for the Centre to continue to engage, inspire and connect with the local community.
“The inaugural exhibition gave a local photographer the opportunity to showcase doorstep lockdown images, and now we are delighted to present the work of twenty Creative Arts students from Inverness College UHI.”
She added:
“The exhibition by Inverness College UHI gives new, young, and talented individuals a platform for their work to be admired by Eastgate’s regular customers, whilst also bringing new customers into the Centre.”
Running from Thursday 1st July to Saturday 31st July, the exhibition celebrates the work of students studying an array of courses, including art and design, beauty, drama, hairdressing, fashion make-up, and visual communication.
From graphic design, painting, and sculpture, to fashion, beauty, and performance, a wide range of art is on display.
Sharon Macfarlane, Head of School for Creative Arts at Inverness College UHI. commented:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that many of our exhibitions have had to take place in an online environment this year, so it is wonderful to be able to showcase our students’ talents in a physical space like the Eastgate Shopping Centre.”
She added:
“Our students have shown a real positive attitude, as well as resilience and determination throughout their studies this year and we are delighted to be able to mark their achievements in this way.
“It’s also a great opportunity for anyone thinking about studying to have a look at all the amazing projects our students work on during the year.”
Applications for courses starting at Inverness College UHI in August/September are now open.
The College offers a wide range of programmes and apprenticeships at college and university level, from access courses through to HNC/Ds, degrees and beyond.
After the UHI exhibition, The Eastgate Community Gallery will be hosting poetry submitted to the Women In the Highlands Project, which is part of the WEA (Workers’ Educational Association).
However, there is still space available later in the year, so anyone who is interested in submitting an exhibition proposal for consideration should call Eastgate’s Digital and Marketing Executive on 01463 246891, or email marketing@theeastgatecentre.onmicrosoft.com.
