Don’t miss a double bill of works created by inspirational women and a family of artists at the Lillie Art Gallery in Milngavie.
Gallery 1 will showcase the ‘Glasgow Society of Women Artists’, while Galleries 2 and 3 will feature the ‘Bet Low Centenary Exhibition’ – both on from 5 October to 7 November 2024.
Both free exhibitions will be officially opened on Saturday 5 October at 2.30pm – all welcome.
Councillor Jim Gibbons – Chair of East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust, which runs the Lillie Art Gallery – said, “We’re honoured to welcome two new exhibitions – shining a light on the talents of the Glasgow Society of Women Artists, as well as the late Bet Low, Tom Macdonald and their son, Ewan. If you get a chance, please visit the gallery – admission is free and it’s always a worthwhile experience.”
Glasgow Society of Women Artists
Originally established in 1882 by eight of the first women students at the Glasgow School of Art, the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists flourished until 1971 when sadly it was disbanded due to financial pressures. However, it was revived in 1975 as the Glasgow Society of Women Artists (GSWA) and currently enjoys a membership of around 164 artists and 48 lay members.
Exhibitions are held annually in and around Glasgow – including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textile art and jewellery. Outstanding work by GSWA members is recognised through awards, adjudicated by external professionals, which are usually made every second year when the main exhibition is held at the Lillie.
Bet Low Centenary Exhibition
Bet Low (1924-2007) remains a highly-regarded artist. Born in Gourock, she attended Glasgow School of Art in the early 1940s – where her tutors included David Donaldson and Hugh Adam Crawford.
She was married to Tom Macdonald (1914-1985), a self-taught artist from Glasgow who lectu
red in art history and was a scenery designer at the Citizens and King’s Theatres at a time of pioneering productions.
A popular artist, his work is represented in the National Galleries of Scotland’s national collection (as well as The Hunterian and Glasgow Life collections), unfortunately however – in the decades since his death – it has faded from public awareness.
Bet and Tom’s son, Ewan Macdonald (born in 1948) is a self-taught artist whose heavily-textured work has led to various exhibitions, including the Compass Gallery in 2017.
This exhibition will include works from the Lillie Art Gallery’s permanent collection, the Bet Low Trust and other private collections.
There will be a free talk on Bet Low at the Lillie Art Gallery – delivered by former curator Hildegarde Berwick – on Friday 11 October 2024, from 7-8.30pm. To secure your free place, visit Evenbrite (external link opens in new window).
The Lillie Art Gallery – Station Road, Milngavie, G62 8BZ – is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-1pm and 2-5pm. Admission is free.
For more information, call 0141 956 5536 or visit the Lillie Art Gallery webpage (external link opens in new window).
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