Highland Print Studio is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a special exhibition at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, reflecting on four decades of creativity in the Highlands.
Founded in 1986 by a group of local artists, the studio was built on a simple idea, to create a shared space where creativity could grow and connect people.
Now, forty years on, that idea has grown into something far reaching, with work spanning artists, schools and communities across the region and beyond.
The exhibition brings that story to life through archive material, artwork, photography and artefacts gathered over the years.
Among the highlights are projects that have taken Highland creativity far beyond the studio walls, including a touring exhibition in a Hillman Imp, collaborations with the shinty community and an international project in the Gulf Region.
Together, they paint a picture of an organisation that has never stood still, always finding new ways to engage people and push creative boundaries.
Alison McMenemy said:
“It has been a real treat to look back through the archive and bring the spotlight back onto some exciting and sometimes challenging times.
“Two highlights of pulling this exhibition together have been, firstly, the opportunity to reconnect with people who played a major part founding and sustaining the studio over the 40 years.
“Secondly, trawling back through our photo archive to see the individuals and groups that we have worked with.
“That’s been a joy and a reminder of why we do what we do.”
Forty years on, it remains a place where ideas are made, shared and carried forward.
The exhibition has already drawn strong interest, with a launch event bringing together around 100 people connected to the studio’s past and present.
It will remain open to the public until 6 June, offering visitors a chance to step into the story of a creative space that has shaped Highland culture.
Alongside the exhibition, special evening talks will explore key moments in the studio’s history, including a look back at the ImpPotent project and its unique travelling exhibition.
For many, the anniversary is not just about looking back, but recognising the role the studio continues to play today.
To mark the HPS @ 40 exhibition, Inverness Museum & Art Gallery are also hosting two special evening talks to celebrate the reach and impact of Highland Print Studio.
On Wednesday 22 April the focus will be on the iconic ImpPotent project, revisiting the celebrated Hillman Imp touring artwork and the documentary Linwood No More.
This is followed by From Alba to Arabia, on Wednesday 6 May, which charts the Studio’s international collaborations across the Gulf Region.
Both talks are free to attend (donations welcomed), with limited capacity and advance booking encouraged via High Life Highland’s Ticket Tailer
