Background

Polish Art Scotland (PAS) is a community based association supporting Polish culture and artists living and creating in Scotland. Since the May 2004, when Poland became a part of the European Union, Great Britain has become one of the most popular places for Poles to settle in. PAS was established in 2007 by Gemma Bentley and Nathaniel Clark who graduated from Edinburgh University. A few months later the association was handed over to native Poles Mateusz Jarza and Agnieszka Kwapien.The current Director of Polish Art Scotland is Mateusz Jarża.
The association seeks to encourage links between artists and the local community, as well as provide an opportunity for artists, organisers and visitors to exchange experiences.We truly believe that the Polish Art Scotland project will not only promote the Polish artists living here, but also help the public to understand the complexity of the immigration process, underlining the need for more intensive cultural contact.
In order to become/stay a member of the PAS one had to participate in one of the projects. Polish Art Scotland enabled Polish artists from different artistic backgrounds that are living in Scotland to show their work to a local Scottish audience. The artists who submit their work are not required to pay a joining fee.
From the beginning, the Polish Art Scotland project has been supported by influential people in the art world in Scotland. David Patterson from the Edinburgh City Art Centre and Jeremy Howard (famous historian and the author of recent "East European Art 1650-1950"), were supporters from the start, not to mention the legendary Richard Demarco thanks to whom we were exhibiting at the Demarco Roxy Art House.

Aims

The main aims of the PAS are to promote polish culture, art as well as Polish artists living in Scotland.
It is worth mentioning that the association also promotes Polish artists living in Poland with whom close artistic relations are created which enables their work to be presented on the local market.
Due to the good relations between polish and Scottish press who publishes news about our activities, our goals can be achieved. PAS co works with Gazeta Wyborcza, Rzecz Pospolita, Skinny’s festmag, Edinburgh.com.pl, Szkocja.net, polish newspapers and magazines published in Scotland and so on.
Examples of good relations with the press can be seen in the following articles published during the 2007 Fringe Festival:

- “According to Skinny’s festmag (www.festmag.co.uk), the exhibition was ranked in the top five most interesting exhibitions taking place during the FRINGE Festival (2007). This was the great achievement for the artists and the organisers.”
- “Tom Hanks attended the exhibition with his family and entourage. This happened in the afternoon last week. The organizers are still excited. Congratulations.”
- “Alexander Hamilton – a famous Scottish artist also visited exhibition. He was representing
the Polish Culture Minister which added to his joy. Who’s next?”
- “Tom Hanks has asked for the price list of exhibited works.”
- “General Manager of the National Galleries of Scotland is planning to visit the exhibition on the 25th of September.”

We hope that the our projects (exhibitions, cultural events, shows etc), will be of great public interest and we will, in the future be able to expand, moving into bigger spaces and promoting more artists in more cities.

We belive that it will have a positive influence, highlighting the fact that Polish artists, directors, actors, musicians etc have got a lot to offer to Scottish Culture.

Polish immigrants are motivated to continue in their work, and the representatives of the creative industries we hope will appreciate the potential of highly qualified and talented artists that Polish Art Scotland represents.

Future plans:

- September 2010 Polish Film Festival "Pl.ay" which will be simultaneously held in eight cities in the UK and Ireland.

- November 27, 2010 - St. Andrew's Day held for the fourth time in the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh.
The program foresees an exhibition of works by Polish artists, concert sung poetry, cabaret, concert, traditional divination, Lottery and refreshments, which will consist of traditional Polish delicacies.

- Europe Europe Gallery - under this name you will not find any particular place or building. This is an idea, a project which connects many artistic groups from many different countries in Europe willing to present their artworks to the wider public. The project’s main goal is to unite artists and galleries, who cooperate under one name. Exhibitions will circulate from one city to another and from one country to another to reach as big an audience as possible.

- An exhibition of artworks by Wojciech Siudmak, the creator of an excellent artwork for the Polish edition of the 'Dune' series. A world renowned Polish artist who lives and creates in France, Wojciech Siudmak is considered to be one of the leading representatives of fantastic realism. His works have been seen around the world and are often used to advertise films, theatre productions and museums, becoming the conveyors of messages about prestigious events like the Cannes Film Festival and the Montreal Film Festival. The artist's presence at the exhibition in Edinburgh will make this a great event.

Associates

Our organisation prides itself on bringing together a number of Polish and Scottish groups to work towards the aim of spreading Polish Culture for the enjoyment of everyone in Scotland. From the beginning, the Polish Art Scotland project has been under the patronage of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh.
It has also been supported by influential people in the art world in Scotland.
David Petterson from the Edinburgh City Art Centre and Jeremy Howard (famous historian and the author of "East European Art 1650-1950"), were supporters from the start, not to mention the legendary Richard Demarco, thanks to whom we exhibited at the Demarco Roxy Art House.

We cooperate closely with Kombinat Kultury and European Art Gardens from Zielona
Gora in Poland and also with Europa, Europa Gallery, which brings together many European galleries to organise exhibitions. We also cannot forget to mention the support of the Scottish Polish Cultural Association based in Edinburgh. The portal www.edinburgh.com.pl has used its website to publicised Polish Art Scotland from the beginning and offered further media support.

We hope that this list of collaborators will be longer with every new edition of this catalogue.

There are a number of creative Polish in Scotland working in the fields of visual arts, music, film and theatre and channelling their experiences of living in Scotland into works of art. It is important to present their work, as well as the best of culture from Poland, to wider Scottish audiences to stimulate mutual understanding, interest and support and build strong, cohesive and diverse communities.

Stakeholders

We truly believe that Polish Art Scotland will develop and widen the range of audiences that will visit our events with time.

Every individual and every organisation willing to take a part in our activities or support us is welcome. Everybody has something to offer, something that may enrich or support Polish Art Scotland.

- Artists – accredited artists as well as emerging talents to share their artistic work with others
- Galleries – we are always looking for arts spaces
- Various companies or institutions – money or products, which will help us to organise events to the highest standards
- People – can offer their ideas, time and help.
- Communities – they are the recipients of our activities, without them PAS would have never be established.

EVERYBODY IS MORE THAN WELCOME

Events have always been a long-awaited experience for participants. Thus, organising an event requires extensive planning and preparation, with most work implemented at least a few months before the actual event. Polish Art Scotland offers its help with organising events where professional knowledge, artistic taste and dedication are required.

Our offer includes:
- art events
- shows
- concerts
- exhibitions
- film screenings
- cultural festivals and events
- product launches
- Artists' Impresario
- creation and production
- decor and staging services
- gala openings
- traditional Polish catering

Each event is preceded by a thorough analysis of the client's needs. Our scripts are unique and well adjusted to the company characteristic and the expectations of the participants.
We fully develop and manage events, plan the whole timing and look after every single technical detail. We offer full event production (management, decor, music, artists, lighting, logistics and well trained staff).

We take care of the specific and unforgettable character of the event offering various attractions and good fun. Our experience guarantees the highest quality, which you can measure yourself.

Company Director and

Visual Arts Manager:

Mateusz Jarża

tel. 0044 7590386163

Administration and Finance Manager:

Iwona Nowak

tel. 0044 7871598708

Sekretary

Lukasz Pisarek

email: info@polishartscotland.com

Polish Art Scotland Ltd

41/8 Home Street

EH3 9JP

Edinburgh, UK