River Ness artworks exhibition at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery

An exhibition about the River Ness Art Projects which was launched in the Eastgate Centre Inverness on Saturday (23 January) can now be viewed in Inverness Museum and Art Gallery until 27 February 2016.

The Highland Council and partners Creative Scotland and Highlands & Islands Enterprise are seeking public opinion on the Inverness City Arts – River Ness Art Projects including the proposed siting of the main artwork “The Gathering Place” at Friars Shott on the north end of Huntly Street, Inverness.

Members of the public will be invited to take part in a short survey about the exhibition so that they can have their say on the proposals for the River Ness Art Projects.

The exhibition is available online at www.highland.gov.uk/rivernessart  and the survey is also online at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/rivernessart.  Comments can also be sent via email to icarts@highland.gov.uk

This significant public art project includes proposals for a major new visitor destination created along the banks of the River Ness in Inverness.  The project is being led by the Inverness City Arts (ICArts) working group of The Highland Council’s City of Inverness Area Committee.

The projects are:

• The Gathering Place – a major artwork designed to bring people together to enjoy the River Ness. 
• The Sculptural Destination - an iconic landmark to visit, interact with or view.
• Rest Spaces - relaxation areas for individuals or small groups.
• The Trail – a paper or digital map and trail from Ness islands to the river mouth including things of local interest.
• River Connections - seating areas and poetry set into stones.
• Children’s Riverside Water Feature – for young people and families with educational opportunities.

Chair of the ICArts Working Group, Councillor Ken Gowans said: “My fellow working group members and I were pleased with the public response and appreciation shown at the launch of the public exhibition in Inverness Eastgate Centre last Saturday (23 January). People took the opportunity to view the exhibition and showed great interest in the River Ness Art programme.

Provost and Leader of the City of Inverness Councillor Helen Carmichael added: “It is good that local people are taking the opportunity to have their say on the River Ness Art proposals. For anyone who missed the opportunity at the Eastgate Centre they can still see the exhibition at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery and I would encourage anyone with an interest in their City to do so.”

The £758,350 project has been commissioned by The Highland Council’s Inverness City Arts Working Group and has funding approval from Creative Scotland £305,600 (40%), The City of Inverness Common Good Fund £280,750 (37%), The Highland Council £106,000 (14%) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise £66,000 (9%).

Inverness Museum and Art Gallery at Castle Wynd is open Tuesday – Friday 12noon- 4pm and on  Saturday from 11am – 4pm.