Letters To The Earth: Between Despair & Hope is an exhibition taking place at Rogart Mart from the 2nd – 4th June 2023.
Lairg & District Learning Centre have worked in partnership with a group of Artists/Students from UHI to bring this exhibition to the Highlands and develop a programme of learning opportunities around the event thanks to funding support from the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub. The learning opportunities build on the LDLC’s work as part of the Highland Community Waste Partnership and previous Climate Action Fund projects focused on sustainability and forming a deeper connection with nature.
Opening Hours
The exhibition is open from 10am – 4pm from Friday 2nd June – Sunday 4th June 2023.
An opening evening celebration will also take place on Thursday 1st June at 7pm.
About The Exhibition
Letters to the Earth: Between Despair and Hope is a conversation about the environmental crisis happening around the world. Prompted by Ontario based artist and University of the Highlands & Islands student Carmel Brennan, artists from across the globe were invited to write a “letter to the earth” and create a piece of work addressing the current crisis. The letters and work created have been curated into a number of exhibitions occurring across Canada, the UK and other parts of the world throughout 2023 and 2024.
The first of these exhibitions takes place from the 2nd – 4th June 2023 at Rogart Mart and will feature the work of 10 artists/students from UHI’s Contemporary Art & Archaeology courses. The work on display explores themes of folklore, language, our relationships with the land, an appreciation of nature, the impact of hydro power in the Highlands, food production, crofting, archaeology and more. The second exhibition opens in Aurora, Ontario on the 3rd June.
Workshops include Poetry writing with Càit O’Neill McCullagh, An Introduction to Artist’s Books with Suzie MacKenzie, a Foraging Walk with Emma Armstrong and drop in contemporary archaeology activities. This whole event is free to attend and open to everyone from 10am – 4pm across the 3 days. There is an official opening event on the evening of Thursday 1st June where visitors can have a sneak preview of the exhibition.
Workshop Timetable
Saturday 3rd June
Poetry Workshop: The Earth Writes Back with Cáit O’Neill McCullagh at 10.30am – 12pm & 2pm – 3.30pm – Book Here
An Introduction to Artist’s Books with Suzie MacKenzie at 2pm – 3.30pm – Book Here
Foraging Walk with Emma Armstrong at 2pm – 4pm – Book Here
Drop in Contemporary Archaeology Activities – all day
Sunday 4th June
Poetry Workshop: The Earth Writes Back with Cáit O’Neill McCullagh at 10.30am – 12pm & 2pm – 3.30pm – Book Here
Drop in Contemporary Archaeology Activities – all day
How to Get to Rogart Mart
Rogart Mart is located in the village of Pittentrail on the A839, 4 miles from the A9 and 10 miles from Lairg.
You can view the location here and the postcode is IV28 3XE.
You can travel by bus or train to Rogart.