Welcome

Matisse Blue Nude

The Iona Gallery is set close to the centre of Kingussie, a delightful town in the heart of

2nd Matisse Art Attack!

the Scottish Highlands, within the CairngormsNational Park. Our gallery, the only public art gallery in the Cairngorms National Park, is run by the Society of Badenoch and Strathspey Artists (SBSA). It is a not-for-profit company, run by a small group of dedicated volunteers. We took over the lease of The Iona Gallery from the Highland Council three years ago. The SBSA has a large artist-based membership that has held regular exhibitions in the gallery for many years. We noticed that the fabric of the building had gradually deteriorated following the closure of the nearby Kingussie section of the Highland Folk Museum. Concerned for the future opportunities of people in the local area to view the much enjoyed exhibitions, our treasurer at the time, Ern Emmett, suggested that our group could take it on as a project. Our committee agreed to try to breathe new life into the building.

The High Life Highland Exhibitions Unit organise a touring calendar of art exhibitions that continue to visit the gallery monthly from April to November, with a break for the popular SBSA Summer Exhibition. Our members, numbering over 100, produce a wide range of art and craftwork, both professional and amateur, including jewelry, sculpture, ceramics, drawing and painting. We also have a regular Winter Art Fair.

The 2012 season of High life Highland Exhibitions began with Matisse: Drawing with Scissors 24 March – 22 April. Please find out more about this year’s programme on the Exhibitions page.