New Public Art Co-ordinator Appointed

A much-travelled artist has been appointed in Inverness to draw up a public art strategy for the city. Artist, Evi Westmore, is the city’s first public arts co-ordinator and will be based within the Inverness City Partnership office at 20 Bank Street, Inverness.

Born in Tokyo, Japan, she has also lived in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Holland, the Czech Republic and the United States. She has exhibited her work in Glasgow, Beijing, Jakarta, Nuremburg and New York and curated public art projects in Sweden.

Before joining the City Partnership team, she graduated with an MFA from the Glasgow School of Art during the summer.

Evi’s three-year post is funded by Highland 2007, the City Partnership and Inverness Nairn Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise and managed by Hi-Arts.

City Partnership Officer, Marie Mackintosh said: "We have long felt the need for a public art strategy for Inverness. We are fortunate to have attracted such a talented young person with so much international experience to help us achieve our objectives.

"We can look forward to raising the profile of Inverness as the major culture centre, and place to live work and visit."

Evi said: "Over the next three years, I intend to support the creation of new works by Scottish and international artists that will both beautify public spaces and bring our communities together in common appreciation of the vibrant creativity that marks Scottish contemporary culture."

Evi has 9 major projects on her desk and is looking forward to progressing these.

She said: "This is a beautiful city that’s at an exciting juncture in its development.  My hope is that we can develop a diverse portfolio of public art that enhances and reflects what Inverness is all about."