Gen-erate - Orkney's recent art graduates 2024-25

Gen-erate - Orkney's recent art graduates 2024-25, on display until 18 April, includes the work of 12 emerging artists who have graduated in the last few years with a degree in a creative subject.

The artists are: Mirka Borek; Caitlin Brodie; Andrea Brough; Andrew Dennison; Mollie Forsyth; Anna Charlotta Gardiner; Jenny McElroy; Sydney Omand; Kirsty Reid; Ami Robb; Freya Stevenson; Hannah Wooldrage.

The work in the exhibition comprises a range of media including architecture, interior design, jewellery, painting, fine art and fashion, with the artists having studied all over Scotland at university’s including The Glasgow School of Art, Edinburgh College of Art, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University and UHI - University of the Highlands and Islands.

Supporting Orkney’s home grown and developing artists is an important role for the Pier Arts Centre, with schools displays and visits, graduates and open exhibitions, creative workshops, visits and exhibition tours, artist lectures and artist collaborations forming an integral part of the annual programme of events.

The exhibition is supported again this year by Sheila Fleet Jewellery. Andrew Parkinson, Pier Arts Centre Curator commented “We are very grateful to receive support from Sheila Fleet Jewellery again this year. It seems especially appropriate with the strong design focus within this group of emerging artists. Having three jewellers included will, I’m sure, be of particular interest.”

Alongside Gen-erate - Orkney's recent art graduates 2024-25, will be a display of work by senior pupils from Kirkwall Grammar School and Stromness Academy.

Cast Forward - showcasing work by Orkney's Senior School Pupils, also on display until 18 April, includes work created over the course of the academic year by the National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher and Higher Photography students as part of their folios of work which are assessed externally by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

Finally, Consequences – Soulisquoy Young Associates is a series of collaborative prints created over the course of 2025 by the four young people who currently form Soulisquoy Young Associates. The group determine and evolve their own projects supported and mentored by Soulisquoy artists and printmakers. Consequences will be on display until 24 March.

The Pier Arts Centre is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.30am-5pm. Admission is free.