Filmmaking
One of several arts projects being run this Summer by A’ the Airts in Sanquhar for the seven weeks of the school holidays. Jade Davidson and David Rushton working with kids from Sanquhar and Kelloholm Primary schools. The young filmmakers have interviewed Jason Maracani at MERZ only to discover that one of his installations in... Read More
Jason Maracani : Tactile Shapes: Graphic Elements in Nature (Opening 12th July)
Tactile Shapes is a series of experiments bringing together textural materials, in this case burlap, to make large graphic shapes as a point of juxtaposition. This body of work is a continuation to a set of ideas that I began in Iceland, weaving 500+ yards of fishing rope to create similar wall hangings. In this iteration, I... Read More
Paul Brightwell : New MERZSPIEL Trailer
Paul performed MERZSPIEL at MERZ in Sanquhar. This is Paul’s latest trailer supporting his tour across the UK. For more information go to www.merzspiel.org. A film of MERZSPIEL at MERZ will be shown in the Kurt Schwitters art-house which is due to open at ZIPStudio in Sanquhar in Spring 2020.
Dougie Sharpe : Collapse the Box
Connor McKernan visits the town of Sanquhar to chat with local portrait painter and artist Dougie Sharpe about his recent exhibition, ‘Trauma’. Part of Spring Fling and the Sanquhar Arts Festival 2019. Filmed at ZipStudio for an episode of ‘Collapse the Box’ on Belfast’s local TV Channel: NvTv.
Jason Maracani : Tactile Shapes (Film)
Artist in Residence from mid-June till mid July Jason Maracani has been exploring the countryside in Upper Nithsdale with artist and guide Alice de Ville. Jason joined Alice to contribute work on a Bothy on the Southern Upland Way. Interpreting the local landscape Jason’s Tactile Shapes exhibition opens at MERZ on 12th July at 6:00pm.... Read More
Ally Wallace : MERZ Artist in Residence September to November 2019
Ally Wallace recently completed a self-initiated residency at Fairydean Stadium, Galashiels, where he spent his time making work that focuses on the architecture of the A Listed, Brutalist concrete grandstand there, designed by Modernist architect Peter Womersley and completed in 1964. The stadium is home to Gala Fairydean Rovers Football Club and Ally’s residency culminated... Read More
Tactile Shapes: Graphic Elements in Nature
Residency Exhibition at MERZ Friday, July 12th at 6.00pm Jason Maracani is our current Artist in Residence at MERZ. Jason will introduce an exhibition and film on his work in Sanquhar on July 12th at 6:00pm at MERZ. All welcome. “I am an artist, theatrical scenic/lighting designer, and teacher based in New York City. Much of... Read More
Colin Smyth MSP : Art in Action in Sanquhar
Colin Smyth, the MSP for South Scotland, visited MERZ, ZIPStudio and the Museum of Model Art to explore ‘Art in Action’ in Sanquhar. The Scottish Contemporary Art Network has several key messages which are being explored by Scotland’s MSPs during the parliamentary recess. Among those messages … “Culture and creativity are not an add-on; they... Read More
Museum of Model Art opens in Sanquhar
The Museum of Model Art (MoMA, Sanquhar) had a 170 visitors over the Sanquhar Arts Festival weekend. We hope to be open each weekend over the Summer from 11:00 till 4:00 and by arrangement at other times via merzgallery@icloud.com or 07906692506
Dougie at ZIPStudio
Following his successful Spring Fling studio open weekend during the Sanquhar Arts Festival Dougie has been selected by Dumfries and Galloway council to work with kids at the upcoming Youth Beatz festival in Dumfries. Dougie will be working with young members of the public over the weekend to create a series of murals for the... Read More
Second Bothy
With the opening of the Museum of Model Art on the 23rd May thoughts have turned to the next phase of development. We hope to convert the present garage into an artists studio, bring a small square brick building back into use as a workshop or Bothy and to refurbish the kitchen and toilets with... Read More
Thomas Kilpper : The Politics of Heritage vs the Heritage of Politics
Sarah-Manning Shaw introduces Thomas Kilpper whose print on rubber fills floor and ceiling of Gallery 1 at Castle Mills, the new base of Edinburgh Printmakers. From 27th April till 13th July 2019.
ZIPStudio
Ahead of showing his work during Spring Fling and the Sanquhar Arts Festival Dougie Sharpe begins the first of four portraits of Kurt Schwitters on one of the MERZ art-houses sited on the green at ZIPStudio. A collage to celebrate the work of photo-montage artist Hannah Hoch will feature on a second Freedom n126. These... Read More
Sanquhar Cultural Quarter
A spin-off from the Arts Festival and work by the Upper Nithsdale Toursim Partnership the Sanquhar Cultural Quarter will provide signs to help visitors to locate local events and sites of interest that are open throughout the year.
Sanquhar Arts Festival
24 - 27 May 2019
Together with A’ the Airts MERZ launches the first Sanquhar Arts Festival to celebrate local artists and performers during the first weekend of the D&G Arts Festival.
Memory Maps
Spring - Summer 2019
This local project will provide illustrated maps on large boards of two walks. One heading north and the other south out of Sanquhar.
Art-Houses
From 24 May 2019
Small painted caravans on the back green of ZIP and MoMA. Opening for the Sanquhar Arts Festival 24-27 May.