How the festival started...

“In my imagination, Sunday 27th July will be sunny and warm; there will be music, strawberry tarts and tea in the courtyard at Rozelle. However, I have to admit that as this is Scotland it might be very different. Nevertheless within the four Galleries there will be amazing sights to be seen, art of the very highest quality and the satisfaction of seeing a year’s research come to fruition.

The project began with the generous gift to the Maclaurin of three sculptures by Benno Schotz. It was suggested by Trust Members that we might hold an exhibition of Jewish Art to include these works. I agreed to undertake the background research and embarked upon a journey through art history that has been fascinating, enlightening, sometimes harrowing and very worthwhile.” […]

“Cultural influences are hard to define conclusively and you may agree or disagree with the selection, but they will make you think. For me it has been a journey of discovery. Art transcends political, geographical and cultural barriers. I hope that you enjoy the exhibition.”

Dianne Gardner, Programming Curator

“For some time it has been in the minds of the Curators to mount an exhibition of Jewish art and this summer that ambition is fulfilled. In July the world famous photographer Judah Passow will exhibit his dramatic black and white images of Jewish life to start the celebrations. This will be followed by Cultural Connections telling the story of Benno Schotz and his contemporaries and their continuing influence on art and artists in Scotland. In August as part of the celebration the wonderful art nouveau style drawings of the Glasgow artist Hannah Frank will be on show as well as some of her sculpture – she was a pupil of Benno Schotz. The cultural connections are fascinating and these will be exciting exhibitions.”

Celia Stevenson, Curator and Maclaurin Magazine Editor

Read more in The Maclaurin Magazine.