As lead artist and organiser of the Hidden Treasures event, cultural leader Shamus McPhee is one of nine artists collaborating to maximise both the benefit of this project, and a new partnership with Pitlochry Festival Theatre, which will hopefully grow and develop as a consequence. Shamus's artistic identity as a Perthshire Scottish Gypsy Traveller, is driven by ancestral ties and his unique life experience. This will be reflected in the new art he is creating for the exhibit and selected existing pieces to be shown simultaneously. www.hidden-treasures.org.uk
Hidden Treasures
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Sunday, June 11, 2017 10am-4pm
Programme
- 10.00-10.20 Tea/Coffee, Meet and Greet
- 10.20-10.35 Welcome/Introduction/Thank you
- 10.40-11.00 Rhona Ramsay (Stirling University)
- 11.00-11.20 Dr. Nicola Cowmeadow (A.K.Bell Library, Perth)
- 11.20-11.40 David McPhee (Perth & Kinross Council)
- 11.40-12.00 Contributions from MECOPP’s ‘Moving Minds’ exhibition
- 12.00-12.30 Questions and Answers, Debate
- 12.30-1.30 Lunch Accompanied by music and songs by Elena Piras
- (1.00-1.30)
- 1.30-3.30 Workshops : Basket-making
, Model Bender
, Wooden Flowers, Paper Flowers, Stencil Cards & Dance
- (Kathy Potter-Irwin, Kathy, Isaac Blake)
- 3.30-4.00 Music and songs by Elena Piras
Artists:
Shamus McPhee
Daniel Baker
Daniel Baker is an artist, curator and researcher. A Romani Gypsy, born in Kent, he holds a Ph.D. on the subject of Roma Aesthetics from the Royal College of Art, London. Baker acted as exhibitor and adviser to the first and second Roma Pavilions, ‘Paradise Lost’ and ‘Call the Witness’ at the 52nd and 54th Venice Biennales respectively. Daniel has been at the forefront of the Gypsy Traveller art renaissance for many years and has contributed 2 pieces for this event 'Impression Sunset' and 'Baffle Blanket' . He and Shamus have worked collaboratively on past projects (No Gorgios – Novas Ouvertures, London and Call the Witness – the Roma Pavilion, Venice Biennale). www.danielbaker.net
Participants:
Rhona Ramsay
Stirling University, Arts & Humanities
'Looking at the material culture of Gypsy/Travellers in Scottish Museums'
Dr Nicola Cowmeadow
Perth & Kinross Council, Culture Local & Family History Officer (based at AK Bell Library)
'This presentation will explore the opportunities that arise when a chance find in the archive draws us in new directions.'
David McPhee
Senior Commissioning and Contracts Officer for Perth & Kinross Council
As well as working with national organisations including Show Racism the Red Card & Stonewall Scotland, David has worked closely with local Gypsy/Traveller community members over the last few years to co-ordinate an Annual Health and Wellbeing event. His keen interest in the First World War led to the development of a Heritage Lottery funded project which he will talk about today.
Elena Piras
Elena Piras, is an award-winning folk, opera and jazz singer/songwriter. Since moving from Sardinia to the UK at the age of 18, Elena, who speaks six languages, has lived in London, where she co-founded and toured with the successful London Bulgarian Choir. She is a regular on festival circuits across Europe and will sing an eclectic variety of traditional folk-songs, including Gypsy Traveller and Scots Gaelic material. www.elenapiras.com
Workshops:
Basket Making
Kathy Potter-Irwin is a basket maker who uses sustainable materials and ancient traditional techniques passed on to her by members of the Gypsy Traveller community, e.g. Sandy Robertson. Her workshops enable her to act as a bridge-builder and conduit for the Gypsy Traveller community who have lost traditional skills and techniques. View her work on Facebook: Ardfern Village Baskets
Handmade Paper Flowers
Kathy is an established flower-maker, producing an array of delightful wooden and paper flowers, combining Craft with story-telling. An Elder of the community, she is as enlightening as she is skilful.
Model Bender Making
Kathy specialises in creating miniature model benders and flower-making.
Stencil Cards & Dance
Isaac Blake is currently Curator of the RomArchive dance section & Executive Director of the Romani Cultural & Arts Company in Cardiff. Isaac has developed arts and performance programmes on Gypsy and Traveller caravan sites with young children and adults, worked in schools and colleges, and promoted arts as a medium for empowerment and advocacy throughout Wales with Gypsy, Roma and Travellers.
