A new film made by A-Level students to celebrate the centenary of the Somerset painter William Scott is to go on show at Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Victoria Art Gallery.
William Scott RA (1913-89), who lived at Hallatrow and Coleford for most of his working life, taught at the Bath Academy of Art for 10 years as Senior Painting Master during its most influential period while it was in residence at Corsham Court, near Bath.
The 10-minute film was produced by Year 12 art and media students from Chew Valley School – near to where Scott resided – in partnership with community film-makers Suited and Booted Studios CIC. The students have spent the last 12 months learning about Scott through a Heritage Lottery funded-project organised by the Victoria Art Gallery.
Jon Benington, Manager of the Victoria Art Gallery, said: “The students have worked incredibly hard over the last year to create a tremendously moving film about the life and work of one of the most celebrated members of the Bath Academy of Art. We are delighted to have supported them on this project and we’re proud to screen their work as part of the Victoria Art Gallery’s celebration of the centenary of William Scott’s birth.”
William Scott lived for most of his life near Bath, at Elm Tree Cottage, Hallatrow (1946-65)
and later at Bennetts Hill Farm, Coleford (1965-89). He also taught for ten years as Senior Painting Master at Bath Academy of Art, Corsham Court.
Suzanne Bloxham, Head of Art from Chew Valley School, said: “Our A Level Art students have shown tremendous commitment to this project over the last year, often giving up their own time to go out on location. Working with Suited and Booted armed them with the skills and confidence to achieve an amazing result, and having access to Scott’s work and all the various locations and people they met along the way, has given them a real appreciation of his work.”
As well as screening the students’ film from 27 April, the Victoria Art Gallery is currently displaying William Scott’s 1949/50 oil painting ‘Bottle and Fish Slice’ – purchased by the Gallery with the aid of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant.
From 7 September to 17 November 2013, the Victoria Art Gallery will present ‘Simplicity and Subject’, a stunning show of 50 paintings and drawings by Scott. Featuring loans from the Arts Council, the William Scott Foundation and National Museum Wales, it will be accompanied by an illustrated catalogue and a programme of talks, tours and art workshops.
Councillor Cherry Beath (Lib-Dem, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: “Such is William Scott’s international reputation that Bath & North East Somerset Council aims to reconnect him with his local area through these centenary events at the Victoria Art Gallery. We are particularly keen to hear from people who knew the artist and would like to share their recollections, both for this celebration and for the future.”
If you have memories of William Scott as artist, market gardener or teacher, please share them with us by calling 01225 477232 or e-mailing scottmemories@bathnes.gov.uk.
The Victoria Art Gallery, near Pulteney Bridge in Bath, is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sundays 1.30pm to 5pm and closed on Mondays. For more details call 01225 477233 or visit the Gallery’s websitewww.victoriagal.org.uk.
