The theme of this exhibition has drawn together 28 established and emerging contemporary artists and poets from across Scotland and beyond. The individual works in this thought provoking exhibition have been curated by Susie Goodwin and Amy Winstanley, both of whom have exhibited previously at John Muir's Birthplace. A DunbarArts Initiative.
Saturday 4th June to Sunday 31st July
John Rennie F.R.S.
Engineering Genius
Bridges, docks, canals, mills, harbour and piers - our summer exhibition celebrates the 250th anniversary of East Lothian's engineering genius John Rennie who was born at Phantassie, East Linton, on 7th June 1761.
The exhibition takes you from his apprenticeship years with Andrew Meikle to his later life in London and looks at some of his major works which included the Crinan Canal, Kelso, Musselburgh, London and Waterloo Bridges and the Bell Rock Lighthouse. The exhibition was researched and written by Bill and Joy Dodd of the East Lothian Antiquarian and Field Naturalist's Society and is supported by a display of original letters and documents.
Extended until 31st July 2011!
Saturday 16th April to Sunday 29th May
Muir Connections
Dunbar & Martinez twinning anniversary!
Join us in celebrating the 30th anniversary of our twinning with Martinez, California, where John made his home and where his house and orchards are now managed by the National Park Service as a National Historic Site. In this exhibition, Dunbar & District History Society have teamed up with the Martinez Historical Society to share photographs from their towns' past. The display is supported by memorabilia not only from our relationship with Martinez, but from Dunbar's other twinning arrangements with Meaford, Ontario, and Lignieres in France.
Running concurrently with our twinning exhibition is a photographic display by Stephen Boyle and Duncan Scott. Both Stephen and Duncan grew up in Dunbar and now work in Outdoor Education and Forestry. Their photographs have drawn inspiration from both exploration and nature.
Wednesday 2nd March to Sunday 27th March
Miniatures
by Dunbar Art Club
A beautifully produced exhibition by members of Dunbar Art Club, some of whom are exhibiting for the first time. Each member has chosen their own paintings, inspired by the landscape.
Taking a Line
to coast, sea & safe harbour ...
JOHN MUIR’S BIRTHPLACE 30JULY to 31AUGUST
OPENING 5-7PM 30JULY
Work by established and emerging artists; inspired by journeys through the unique environment of our region and its diverse heritage.
An exhibition of photographic images and workshops
exploring patterns and images in nature such as faces
in clouds and rocks.
Encouraging people to watch the natural world around them.
Wednesday 17th February - Sunday 14th March 2010
John Muir in Colour
by local artist Jim Callow
In 1868 John Muir first visited Yosemite Valley and began his life long work to protect the area where he lived and worked and which he described as an 'affluence of sublime mountain beauty'. In John Muir in Colourlocal artist Jim Callow takes his own inspiration from John Muir's life in California.
More details to follow.
Wednesday 13th January - Sunday 14th February 2010
Out There
Presented by inArt. Contemporary Art Exhibition
InArt are pleased to present the contemporary art exhibition Out Therein John Muir’s Birthplace. We are honoured to contribute, in our own particular way, to the celebration of the life of such a great and influential pioneer.
InArt is a core group of professional artists from various areas of Scotland who have been exhibiting together since 2005. We endeavour to exhibit as often as possible with the aim of promoting contemporary art forms to as wide an audience as possible. For this exhibition, we are pleased to welcome two guest exhibitors, Susie Goodwin (a local artist) and Marjory Crooks
The Artists –
Cathy Bell – artist, writer and curator. She is a graduate of the Open University. She lives in Livingston.
Donald McKenzie – artist and writer. He is a graduate of Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen and Duncan of Jordanstone School of Art & Design, Dundee. He lives in Inverness (and occasionally in Benbecula).
Robert McCubbin – Contemporary sculptor. He is a graduate of Gray’s
School of Art, Aberdeen. He lives in Glenluce near Newton Stewart.
David Hutchison – artist, filmmaker and writer. He is a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone School of Art & Design, Dundee. Originally from Sutherland, he now lives in Edinburgh.
James Page – artist/painter. He is predominantly a painter who works in a distinctive style. More of his work will be on show in a solo exhibition at John Muir’s Birthplace in Spring 2010. He lives in Dunbar.
Susie Goodwin – artist and curator. She is a graduate of Edinburgh College of Art. She lives in Innerwick and is a major force behind the new initiative The Dunbar Arts Hub.
Marjory Crooks – artist, lecturer and designer. She is a graduate of Edinburgh College of Art. She currently teaches at Stephenson College in Edinburgh.
The Exhibition Out There
The artwork in the exhibition has been chosen to reflect the pioneering spirit of John Muir - ranging from Donald McKenzie’s “Altar”, which makes reference to the voyages of Saint Columba to “Space Capsule” by Cathy Bell which refers to more recent exploration of uncharted territory. Some of the pieces exhibited also take into account what is actually out there in the universe – elements of the natural world, which fascinated John Muir from an early age when he was living in Dunbar.
Finally, Out There aims to consider the idea of artists as pioneers, artists who experiment, whose curiosity pushes them further in exploring creative possibilities.
We hope all visitors to the exhibition find it interesting.
Wednesday 16th December - Friday 8th January 2010
Come and See!
Come along and have a look at what the children attending workshops at John Muir's Birthplace have been up to this year. Displays will range from our papier mache Cairngorm National Park complete with walkers and siers, to a Kittiwake model and a Biodiversity Banner! There will also be craft activities for children to enjoy.
Our year round programme of children's workshops will begin again on Friday 15th January. For further information see our News section or contact the Birthplace on 01368 865899.
Thursday 25th June - Sunday 13th December 2009
A Scotchman Comes Home
John Muir’s Homecoming Journey, 1893
A Scotchman Comes Homelinks the world of Scottish diaspora with the desire of those of Scottish ancestry to revisit their roots. Focussed on the emigrant John Muir our exhibition for Homecoming Scotland 2009 goes back in time to Muir’s only return visit to Scotland in 1893.
Find out about Muir’s journey through Scotland, England and Europe as a tourist and sample the memories that he shared with friends and relatives visited during the trip.
Thursday 22nd January - Wednesday 17th June 2009
Wherever a Scotsman goes...
John Muir and Robert Burns
This is the first of two exhibitions held at the Birthplace to mark the Year of the Homecoming. Here we look at the similarities in background between John Muir and Robert Burns and at the lifelong admiration Muir held for our national bard. References to Muir's own poetry and use of Burns in his writings are shown alongside anecdotes of his 'sharing' Burns with friends and family.
'Wherever a Scotsman goes...' is supported with a programme of events for all ages. Contact us for details.
Thursday 6th November – Sunday 30th November 2008
An Eye for Detail
By Gordon Jenkinson
Dunbar Artist and Illustrator
Gordon is a self taught artist from Dunbar and has been exhibiting throughout Edinburgh, East Lothian and the Borders for the last 15 years, winning the Berwickshire Art Society’s top award, the Torness Cup, in 1997 and again in 2002. In June 2004 Gordon completed a Higher National diploma with merits in illustration with Design at Edinburgh’s Telford College.
In 2006 Gordon was delighted to become tutor with Dunbar art Club and has given a range of demonstrations and lectures on various subjects and mediums over the last two years. More recently Gordon has been building websites for local businesses.
An Eye for Detail includes paintings, prints and cards. Many are available for sale.
Monday 1st September – Sunday 28th September 2008
Missing
Judith Rowan BA(Hons) Fine Art, SSA
In Missing, Judith focuses on found objects picked up around Dunbar, which are misplaced and yet contain the essence of a place. They are the inspiration for her prints, paintings and short poems.
Judith was a part-time student at Leith School of Art in Edinburgh, before completing her studies at Cumbria College of Art & Design in 2000. She recently had a solo exhibition at Peter Potter Gallery, Haddington. Her work has been shown at various venues in group/mixed exhibitions, including the Royal Scottish Academy, Open Eye Gallery, and Visual Arts Scotland. Since 2002 Judith has also been a Professional Member of the Society of Scottish Artists, serving on its Council from
2004-07.
Taking a Line
to coast, sea & safe harbour ...
JOHN MUIR’S BIRTHPLACE 30JULY to 31AUGUST
OPENING 5-7PM 30JULY
Work by established and emerging artists; inspired by journeys through the unique environment of our region and its diverse heritage.
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Portraits in Nature 
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