1) Amateur Photography in colour or monochrome – three categories on show at Nairn Museum in their working hours.

2) Primary Schools book cover art on display in the Seamans Hall –
Sun 10am-5pm;
Mon, Wed, Fri, 10.00am-12.00; 3.00-5.00pm;
Tues & Thurs 10am-5pm
Sat 10.00 - 2.00pm

3) Nairn Academy 1st, 2nd and 3rd year artwork on show at Seamans Hall.

4) Photographic Quiz featuring 10 aspects of buildings in Nairn’s High Street for identification. Entry forms on sale around Nairn for £1.00.

Photographic Competition - an open competition aimed at local amateur photographers and a light-hearted photographic challenge looking at Nairn High Street in closeup.
More Details on Photographic Comptetition

5) Short Story Competition
Entries are invited for a Nairn-based short story competition.
Sponsored and run by the David St John Thomas Charitable Trust in association with The Highland News, prize money will be at least £250, with at least £100 for the winning story. Last year there were four prizes in all. The competition has been running for several years, previous winners including John Oliver and Ian Nalder.

Stories should be based in or have an association with Nairn. The sponsors say they prefer real stories, if possible with a twist in the tail. Often simpler plots with good characterisation come out on top. Stories should not exceed 1500 words and may of course be shorter.

Entries should be posted by 30th April to the
David St John Thomas Charitable Trust at PO Box 6055, Nairn IV12 4YB.

Workshops on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 3.30-4.30pm. Bring a picnic and help with beachcombing, knot tying and preparing the biodegradable creation. Culmination at High Tides on Saturday 14 June at 10.00am and 9pm with lights, readings and music.

Painting by Mary Wilson

Art Exhibitions

Highland Contemporary Art Exhibition
The Highlands have become synonymous with innovation and excitement in creative visual art.  A representative group of artists living in the area will exhibit  contemporary works which will be for sale at the Community Centre and Court House on the High Street:
Sunday 12.00-4.00pm
Monday - Friday 10.00-4.30pm
Saturday 12.00-4.00pm
The Community Centre during opening hours and late night Thursday till 6pm. 

At Balance, 118 High Street

Elizabeth Cameron trained at the Slade Art School in London and has exhibited at both the Royal Academy and the Scottish Royal Academy. Her love of botanical painting came from creating her own garden at Allangrange and the influence of Scottish gardens in the Highlands. She has received Gold and Silver medals from the Royal Horticultural Society for her watercolours. Prints will be on sale and Elizabeth will visit Broadley Garden Centre during the festival.

Black Isle Bronze, the UK’s leading fine art, architectural and memorial foundry, is situated in Nairn’s Balmakeith Industrial Park. Using lost wax and sandcasting techniques, forms are translated from clay to bronze. Among their recent commissions is the Nairn Fisherwoman sculpture which was unveiled during Highland 2007 and now stands on the harbour wall. Proprietor Farquhar Laing will guide and explain to visitors the process in this first purpose built foundry in the country and there will be life size sculptures of two very famous sportsmen undergoing bronzing during that week – Guess who!
Visit Website

This unusual interactive exhibition will delight all ages, with a cast of characters that have entertained us for a century or more with their mechanical routines.

International Kathakali actor Kalamandalam Vijayakumar and Kalamandalam Barbara Vijayakumar will give an insight into the classical dance drama of Kerala.  Barbara will describe the cultural, social and geographical background, how an actor prepares for a performance, the characters, costumes and make-up;  the solo performance will include a story from the Mahabharatha, and demonstrate the costumes and techniques.

More Info...

Mike & Ali Vass ‘The young twins from Nairn are two of traditional music's brightest prospects, playing fiddle and piano with energetic spark, invention, poise and great feeling for a tune.’ Rob Adams (The Herald).

Playing a varied mix of traditional and contemporary tunes, songs with close vocal harmonies and footstompin’ jigs and reels, Mike (fiddle, guitar, vocals) and Ali (piano, vocals) give performances which are bursting with energy, drive and vitality.

Opening Hours:
Sun 10am-5pm;
Mon, Wed, Fri, 10.00am-12.00; 3.00-5.00pm;
Tues & Thurs 10am-5pm
Sat 10.00 - 2.00pm

Workshops
1) Felt making by Greta Bergman (tues 10.00 – 3.00pm. 20 places @ £20.00 inc. materials)
2) Portraiture by Dean Melville thurs 10.00 – 4.00 12 places @ £30.00)
3) Children’s Workshop by Melanie Muir Sunday 10.00 –12.00, 1.00-3.00pm, @ £2.50.
Followed by storyteller at seaman’s Hall 3.15pm @£2.00
Pre school and nursery children will be entertained with puppets and storytelling in the Seaman’s Hall – Mon, Wed, Fri 10.30 – 11.30am - free entry.

Greta Bergman – an experienced felt worker whose class will allow each adult participant to make a felt picture and a 3D piece of felt work.
Dean Melville – highly qualified and experienced artist and art tutor will give a day’s tuition in portrait painting
Melanie Muir, jewellery maker whose use of polymer clay in her own work will inform her teaching of children to mould, bake and paint clay works - 2 age groups
Margot Henderson has been storytelling since she was a child. She uses myths, singing and dancing to enthuse children of all ages. Her special interest is in nature and heritage.

During the 1920s the 24th Brodie of Brodie collected hundreds of types of daffodils to form the world famous Brodie Castle collection. Over the subsequent decades, however, many species were lost. Head gardener of Brodie Castle David Wheeler tells the fascinating story of the worldwide search which has helped to recreate the collection for the National Trust of Scotland.

The home of many very interesting Printing Presses, some unique to Scotland. During the workshop tour you will be given a talk about the various printing processes Piccolo Press offers.  You will then see the presses in action and take away a printed keepsake of your visit – Thurs 6pm for 1 hr (£6.00) – photo on www.piccolopress.co.uk