Aberdeen Art Gallery celebrates its 125th year
25/01/10
Aberdeen Art Gallery began a series of celebrations to mark its 125th year with the launch on Tuesday, 26 January, of a new website and souvenir guidebook to the building and its collections.
Designed by local architect Alexander Marshall MacKenzie, Aberdeen Art Gallery opened in 1885 and is the largest public gallery in the North of Scotland. Situated in the heart of the city, with its impressive architecture, outstanding collections and special exhibitions programme, it attracts more than 200,000 visitors each year.
Art Gallery & Museums Manager Christine Rew said: "I am delighted to announce the launch of two exciting additions to our range of visitor services as part of our 125th birthday celebrations throughout 2010.
"Our new souvenir guide to the Art Gallery tells the fascinating story of the building and the collections which it houses today.
"When it opened in 1885 the displays combined industrial and art exhibitions, which were augmented by generous gifts from several benefactors. They were adventurous and daring in their collecting decisions and laid the foundations for our ongoing commitment to exhibit and collect the best of contemporary art."
"Our website also launched on Tuesday [26 January], allows visitors to access our collections from the comfort of their own homes. There is a new facility to search collections, find out what's happening in our buildings and to keep up to date with the exhibition programme."
The website opens with details of a new exhibition from one of Scotland's most highly regarded artists Frances Walker, in celebration of her 80th birthday. The exhibition, titled Place Observed in Solitude, showcases her most recent work – a series of breathtaking panoramic landscapes of the Antartic.
Stuart Smith, Director of Lighthouse Design said: "The design of the website is fresh and easy to navigate with a superb range of new images. Following the restructure and design to the gallery and museums website, visitors will discover a whole new realm of useful information that will encourage visitors to enjoy the wonderful arts facilities Aberdeen has to offer."
The website is financed by the Recognition Scheme managed by Museums Galleries Scotland. Director of Museums Galleries Scotland Joanne Orr said: "For the museums and galleries sector, improving quality and increasing innovation online is a crucial way of sharing collections and inspiring wider audiences.
"The funding Museums Galleries Scotland provided contributed to Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museum's website enhancement. This key development will help promote their Recognised Collection of National Significance."
"The Recognition Fund is so important as it ensures Scotland's most important collections are getting the support they need - museum and gallery organisations would otherwise find funding of projects like this especially challenging."
Aberdeen City Council's Vice Convener of Education, Culture and Sport Councillor Martin Greig said: "Aberdeen City Council owns a magnificent collection of artistic and historical artefacts. The website, book and other publications are of very high quality. They are a means of increasing awareness and knowledge of the splendid items held on behalf of the public.
"There has been a very discerning and progressive collection policy since the Art Gallery was built 125 years ago. This forward looking approach has built up an impressive heritage which is for all to enjoy.
"Culture is vital for the well being of our city and the new publications are an excellent way of improving access to the city art treasures."
Aberdeen Art Gallery, Schoolhill, AB10 1FQ
Tel + 44 (0) 1224 523700
Email info@aagm.co.uk
Website www.aagm.co.uk
Opening hours
Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday 2pm – 5pm
Closed Monday
Admission Free