I thoroughly enjoyed my day, it was ab fab. I loved whizzing around some of Dundee’s finest “arty farty” landmarks, sometimes on foot (hardly) but mostly being driven around in the luxury of a well heated mini bus. What a joy it was to be greeted with chocolate & crisps by Genny, just what was needed to sustain the fast pace of the day.

It all kicked off @ DJCAD where we were greeted by those fine folk from Central Station. The blank looks were a bit disconcerting when introductions were made, but that changed to squeals of delight when instead of using your “Sunday” name, you mentioned your profile user name then recognition set in. So there we were – Sooper Double D, htothep, tartanbaffies & a few others with strange sounding profile names that I didn’t catch getting to know one another. As mentioned later on in the evening, it won’t be long before our passports will ask for such details & you will only be recognised from your choice of avatar.

Introductions over, we were split up into our appropriate groups & off we ventured. My day began with the DJCAD Graduate Showcase, easing me into the tour gently, listening to 3 different & excellent talks while lounging around on the big leather settees. A big thankyou & mention must go out to Jeanette Ginslov, Catt Lee Marr & Jo Hodge (who I have linked here, so go visit their work). Their enthusiasm shone through as they talked about their work & ideas despite the early morning start.

The next stage of my tour took me to Meadow Mills Studios, better known as the WASPS Studios, housed in a former jute mill in Dundee’s industrial heartland. Once more we were kindly greeted & promptly split into manageable groups. It was great to to see into this artistic community where artists, designers, painters, jewellery makers & illustrators all work alongside each other in what is truly a magnificent space. It had that bohemian touch, where each individual personalised their own working space giving a little bit of insight into their personalities. My gratitude goes out to Genna Delaney & Nicola Morrison (jewellery designers) & especially to Lindsey Gardiner (illustrator) who’s work I really admire. Thanks for letting a group of nosey parkers quiz & pry into your working lives & environment.

For the next stage, I had missed the chance to book the exclusive McManus Gallery Tour (fully booked), but to my delight I was told to tag along & see what happens. When my name was added to the list I could have jumped for joy, 4 years this magnificent venue has been closed to us Dundee folk & visiting it on that day was like greeting an old friend. Having that sneak peek was one of my highlights & I can’t wait for the reopening on the 28th February. Please check Gillian Easson’s blog spot for a more in depth account of the tour. Kerri McGowan, our tour guide for the day, was the most perfect person for showing us around as you could feel the love & passion she had for this fantastic building & almost had us running late (which I’m sure some of us wouldn’t have minded).

So from the old to the new, next stop the DCA Print Studios (check out Jon Gill’s blog spot for more info of tour). Being a lapsed member, it was good to be back in familiar surroundings. Scott Hudson, our guide was as enthusiastic on the day as he was a year & a half ago when I was last in the print studios. He explained all the print processes the studio had to offer & was full of encouragement – I think he had an excited group queueing up for membership as I decided it was time to take the weight of my feet & head for The Rep for a nice relaxing pint – (well I had to get myself ready for the evening events laid on later!!)

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To find out what Dundee Popup was all about or to read more reviews & blogs  from the day, click here.

I can’t wait till the McManus Galleries opens, it looks amazing! and the DCA print studio is fantanastic, I’m hopefully going to do a Etching class soon.

Well done Central Station, I’m looking forward to the next Pop Up Tour!

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To find out what Dundee Popup was all about or to read more reviews & blogs  from the day, click here.

Highlights of the day for me were hooking up with old friends and acquaintances, and of course meeting new people, putting names to faces and faces to names. I really enjoyed the studio visit hosted by Matthew Dalziel, it was great to hear about their current projects and I think it always helps to illuminate an artist’s practice when you hear it straight from the horse’s mouth. Makes it all the more real, and clearer as to the reasoning behind the work etc. Next up, a visit to Generator Projects and a slide talk with the current committee, who have recently been upgrading the building. Its good to see how they have been building and expanding on the reputation already achieved, punching above their weight as ever!

Managed to miss the preview tour of the McManus but caught the end of the Realtime Worlds Studio Tour, – interesting to see the set up but ultimately ‘not my bag’. Then on to the Visual Research Centre at DCA for a tour of the Centre for Artists’ Books and the Rewind Micro Cinema, the cutest cinema I ever did see, with seats that looked damn comfy after all the legwork of the previous few hours. On to “No Reflections” in the gallery, with Martin Boyce in conversation with Tricia Fleming. I didn’t make it to Venice so it was a good opportunity to see the work albeit in a very different context.

Finally to the Hannah McClure Centre for exhibition talks by Yann Seznec and Jon Gill of Superfly, talking about their work/projects and then “This Is..” with guest speakers from Yuck & Yum, Gen Ryan & Jo Swingler; Lyall Bruce & Johanna Basford; Arika; Colliderscope and Georgina Follett from the V& A Project. All in all giving an interesting and varied overview of things happening or about to happen in Dundee.

Its encouraging to see Dundee burgeoning with projects, opportunities and possibilities for the future, and that the arts and the creative industries are at the forefront of this change.

After all that a glass of vino and a chance to chat, was a well earned finale to a busy and thought provoking day.

Thanks to all the CenSta team for inviting me along, I really enjoyed seeing Dundee from this perspective.

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To find out what Dundee Popup was all about or to read more reviews & blogs  from the day, click here.

You can tell from outside that this place is good – a stunning classic Gothic revival building… I don’t want to over hype the already high expectations of this building re-opening, but on visiting, it is really something special and actually worth the hype.

I’ve always had fond memories of The McManus Galleries/Museum in Dundee – my mum was a librarian there in the 70s; when I was wee I would run up and down the outside staircase hiding from the Queen Victoria statue (she still scares me!); and at art school I would studiously draw old things… So I was delighted to hear about the chance to have a sneak preview before it re-opens later this month.

As soon as you enter, you appreciate how different it is – the ground floor entrance has been switched around and you notice the lack of clutter – the mish mash of shop fittings and the dark and dusty feelings have gone.  It’s light, airy – old and new are well balanced and the space gives you time to appreciate all the fantastic architecture in the main Gothic hall. I found myself looking up into the roofs and rafters as much as looking at the art on the walls!

The familiar old main spiral staircase is also really bright with an amazing domed wooden beamed ceiling – I can’t recall this feature from the past, but staff tell us it’s always been there, just very much in the dark (because the Battle of Camperdown painting hung there – all the windows had to be blocked up because of potential light damage).

We visit three galleries – and as we go up the stairs we see David Batchelor’s ‘Dundee Walldella’ – we are the first outsiders to see this piece – a psychedelic array of 200 multi coloured plastic containers lit up down the corner, like something you might find in Willy Wonka’s factory – it’s fabulous and happy – it could be great light therapy for those depressed by the dreich weather outside!

As a young child, the Victorian, Edwardian and Scottish painting galleries were always scary and ominous… lots of eyes watching you (similar to my statue fear)… But really the collection is immense – the Dundee jute barons paid for the original collection and has been updated with new additions – one arrived last week. It also has the 1st painted depiction of a football game and the finest Rossetti in a Scottish collection – Dante’s Dream.

Yesterday the news came that the McManus will display the National Gallery (and NGScotland) recent £50m Titian acquisition in August this year – a great coup as only 3 Scottish galleries have been selected.

image: Ross McLean

The ‘Here and Now’ gallery will host temporary and touring exhibitions, it was nice to see DoJ graduate David Mach’s dragon(?) with chess pawn was still high up in the rafters – although he’s now a lot easier to see up there!

The ‘World Cultures’ gallery has a fascinating display of Dundee’s well travelled influence on the world – through all the J’s and the shipping trade!

Our star guide Keri laments that it’s a shame that a generation of art students have missed out on this for the last 4 yrs it’s been closed – hopefully it will draw them back for a visit soon – it’s well worth it.

Although we don’t have time to visit the museum, I’m delighted to hear that the whale is still hanging there – he has been missed!

The museum/gallery has been brought in line with the likes of my personal greats – the Kelvingroves and the Musee Dorsays. Speaking to my fellow CSers, there’s an overwhelming feeling that people are going to love it.

A full day trip will be in order when it re-opens on the 28th Feb – I can’t wait.

Thank you Central Station, it’s been memorable!

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To find out what Dundee Popup was all about or to read more reviews & blogs  from the day, click here.