Local art centre brings London 2012 to Moray this summer

Moray Art Centre’s blockbuster exhibition ‘Masters and Champions’ brings the London 2012 celebrations to Moray this summer, having been awarded the coveted Inspire Mark London 2012 badge, and receiving financial support from The Big Lottery and Creative Scotland.

Opening in June, this major exhibition has been recognised as an innovative and exceptional project that is directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Inspire programme is run by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. It is an opportunity for everyone to be part of the London 2012 Games – a broad participation programme spanning sport participation, education, sustainability, volunteering, and business opportunities and culture. New opportunities are being created to inspire young people and encourage the whole of the UK to join in. The Inspire programme has awarded over 1,400 projects the Inspire Mark.

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “’Masters and Champions’ is encouraging the people of Moray to fulfill their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as Moray Art Centre, we are delivering our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in art and sport.”

‘Masters and Champions’ Olympic-themed programme includes historical and contemporary exhibitions, alongside a complementary programme of art and sporting activities – full details of which will be launched in the spring. To deliver their ambitions, the Centre will work in partnership with a variety of local organisations and specialised individuals, including the Opportunity Enhancement Trust, Elemental Community Arts, local event manager Kresanna Aigner, and Moray-based theatre companies Charioteer Theatre, Right Lines Productions and Out of Darkness.

Steven Rattray from the Opportunity Enhancement Trust said: “The Opportunity Enhancement Trust are delighted to be partnering with Moray Art Centre on this project, which brings together the Olympian ideals of sport and art. Through ‘Masters and Champions’ we aim to deliver a range of opportunities for people across Moray to participate in sporting events and express themselves not only in the field of play, but also through a number of artistic workshops that capture the essence of each event as it occurs.”

Two years have passed since Moray Art Centre held an exhibition of this size and appeal. The Centre hopes that ‘Masters and Champions’ will be as well received as ‘Nameless’, the 2010 exhibition of Italian Renaissance drawings borrowed from The British Museum, the Courtauld Gallery and the National Gallery of Scotland. Through ‘Masters and Champions’ Moray Art Centre aims to break previously achieved record visitor numbers, whilst contributing directly to Moray’s economic and community development through increased tourism, employment and volunteer opportunities.

Moray Art Centre Director, Randy Klinger, said: “Being awarded not only the Inspire Mark but also funding from The Big Lottery and Creative Scotland recognises the importance of our forthcoming exhibition. Moray Art Centre is continuing to bring inspiring and pioneering exhibitions to the north east of Scotland, and we hope that ‘Masters and Champions’ firmly roots the London 2012 celebrations in Moray this summer.”

Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland, said: “By connecting art and sport,  ‘Masters and Champions’ creates First in a Lifetime opportunities for the communities of Moray to share in the celebrations for the Year of Creative Scotland and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Using exhibitions, workshops and other events, it’s a chance for people to enjoy, participate and experience new activities.”

For further information please contact marketing@morayartcentre.org

Autor: MACadmin Date: March 27th, 2012 Tags:

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