Orbost Gallery, a family business on Skye showing Scottish island art since 1977, will close after 50 years due to family reasons.
The gallery was in Orbost House’s old hall. David painted with oil paints there, and Marion created watercolor art. Soon, other island artists joined in.
Later, the gallery moved to the family’s house across the road. It still kept the Orbost Gallery name. Marion started doing calligraphy too and painted signs for businesses nearby. David restored artwork and helped others with their art.
David’s daughter, Kate McEwen, spoke about it. Her dad passed away, and her mom is ninety now. It’s time for the gallery to close, she said.
Lots of art remains, and McEwen wants to find homes for it. These are her parents’ paintings and prints. She also wants new homes for the calligraphy.
Her parents wanted art holidays at first, but that idea didn’t work out too well. So, they opened their own gallery instead. People from all over visited it.
David wanted oils, and Marion would do watercolors, they decided. She mastered watercolors and even painted portraits of Skye’s famous faces. Marion also did calligraphy. She painted business signs before computers took over. They tried their hand at everything.
McEwen feels sad about the gallery closing. She grew up with it and thinks their achievements were great. She is amazed by all they managed to do.
The gallery helped the community, and local people also supported it. Many Skye residents own her parents’ art. The gallery will open twice more on the first and third weekend of March. McEwen hopes people will enjoy the art, and it will be a last chance before it closes.