THEN AND NOW - NOW AND THEN: 100 YEARS OF VISUAL ARTS SCOTLAND

On a cold November evening in 1924, several women and a man gathered in Edinburgh’s Outlook Tower, determined to cement women artists within Scotland’s artistic landscape. The effects of World War One could still be felt and the cry for women’s suffrage had now infiltrated the world of art. There was a desperation in the air; a need to provide women artists with equal opportunities to men and celebrate their immense talent.  

The Scottish Society of Women Artists (SSWA) was founded that evening by William McDougal, inspired by his daughter Lily McDougal’s artistic talent and the challenges she faced when attempting to exhibit her work. The irony that a women’s organisation was founded by a man does not go unmissed. However, as Edward Gage noted in The Scotsman in 1990, “A group of female painters and sculptors found it so difficult to penetrate the male preserves of the arts establishment that the father of one of them founded the SSWA. It was a sign of the times, a peripheral expression of the emerging feminist campaign.” That evening, Lily McDougal was named Honorary Treasurer and Hilda Burn, an artist in her own right, was named Honorary Secretary. 

Less than ten years later, William McDougal passed the legacy of the SSWA to Ann Dixon. Dixon’s focus in these early years was establishing the organisation’s infrastructure, recruiting new members, and organising the Annual Exhibition - an important event for VAS members that still takes place to this day. The Annual Exhibition offered a unique space in Scotland, creating a place where women artists could exhibit their work. The SSWA were also early pioneers of interdisciplinary study and encouraged flexibility surrounding the idea of “contemporary art,” whilst  promoting the importance of women within Scotland’s artistic landscape. 

By 1940, the SSWA had grown and was now nurturing partnerships with the National Gallery in Edinburgh. During this time, acclaimed Scottish painter, Anne Redpath, became president and under her guidance, the Annual Exhibition moved to Edinburgh’s RSA where - to this day - it remains. 

By the 1980s, representation of women within the arts had greatly increased, however the term ‘contemporary art’ was still a contentious issue. In 1990, Joan Renton - the SSWA president - advocated that the organisation was “a place for high-quality experimental craft” and to reflect this, the organisation's name was changed to Scottish Artists and Artist Craftsman (SAAC). Men were also allowed to join at this point. Ten years later, as the organisation celebrated its 75th anniversary, it was decided that a more succinct name was needed and so Visual Arts Scotland (VAS) was created.

Today, VAS celebrates a diverse and active membership of practising artists based in Scotland and beyond, acknowledging and championing innovative contemporary art. As a charity, VAS is run by an elected body of volunteers who are artists, designers and supporters of the arts, advocating the sentiment that the organisation has promoted for over ten decades: Artists supporting Artists. 

Normally, Visual Arts Scotland’s year round programme consists of a range of opportunities and resources available to its membership and wider creative community, including satellite exhibitions, residency programmes, graduate showcases, awards, and the Annual Exhibition held at the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) in Edinburgh. 

However, 2024 has been slightly different as it marks VAS’s centenary year. The year began with the Annual Exhibition which took place in early February at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh. Then and Now: 100 Years of Visual Arts Scotland showcased 242 artists and over 300 artworks, with art ranging from ceramics, paintings, mixed media, photography, sculpture, and a variety of contemporary art forms. It received high acclaim, garnering 4 star reviews in both The Times and The Scotsman. This was closely followed by a VAS members' stand at The Borders Art Fair in Kelso which provided an opportunity for members to sell their artwork amongst other crafts in the Scottish Borders.

In May 2024, VAS hosted a professional members exhibition in Newport’s beautiful Tatha Gallery to mark two major milestones in Scotland’s contemporary art scene: 10 years since Tatha Gallery opened and 100 years since Visual Arts Scotland was founded. 

In August 2024, VAS collaborated with the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club (SOC) to showcase an exhibition inspired by birds in scenic Aberlady.‘“Hope” is the thing with Feathers’ showcases 34 artists from Visual Arts Scotland’s membership who have created a diverse range of works inspired by birds, exploring the eternal human fascination with them, be that in mythology, symbolism, folklore, superstition or habitat. The exhibition is still open and you can visit it in Aberlady until the 15th of September.

Finally, VAS are holding their biggest-ever exhibition in Scotland’s historic Dalkeith Palace. Now and Then: Dalkeith Palace - 100 Years of Visual Arts Scotland (Part Two) continues a year of centenary celebrations and showcases over 540 artworks and 341 artists, making this a record breaking exhibition for the arts charity as it honours its 100th year in the sprawling 17 room exhibition.

As the legacy of Visual Arts Scotland continues to be celebrated through palace exhibitions, residentials, and maker’s fairs, we can only imagine what the next 100 years of Visual Arts Scotland has in store.

Anyone is welcome to become a member of Visual Arts Scotland (you do not have to be based in Scotland).