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The Kirkcudbright Art Gallery project has a new champion.

The Lord Lieutenant for the Stewartry, Lieutenant Colonel Sir Malcolm Ross GCVO OBE, has accepted the offer from the Art Gallery Project Board to take on the role of project champion to secure support for the development of a gallery of national significance in Kirkcudbright.

The rationale for creating an art gallery in Kirkcudbright stems from the town’s unique role in the history of Scottish art; especially from the development from the 1880s of an artists’ community. This attracted many of the country’s leading artists and produced an extensive body of work, some of it of exceptionally high quality. The Kirkcudbright Artists’ Town brand has been successfully used to promote Kirkcudbright for a decade now, including the summer art exhibitions held by the Kirkcudbright 2000 Committee. 

An art gallery of national significance would complete the presentation of Kirkcudbright Artists’ Town and complement and enhance the town’s existing art and heritage facilities. Councillor Robert Higgins, chairman of the Kirkcudbright Art Gallery project board, said “We’re delighted that Sir Malcomm is on board with our project.”

Sir Malcolm said, “I believe this is an important project for Kirkcudbright and the region. I am taking on this role with enthusiasm and with the commitment to look with a fresh pair of eyes at how this vision is to become reality and to ensure the project secures the support of the community.”

Joe Campbell, chairman of Kirkcudbright 2000 committee, said “Securing support from Sir Malcolm is another step forward to realising our dream. We’re very proud of our 10 year history of bringing art and tourism to Kirkcudbright and Dumfries and Galloway. I believe that in 2010 we’ll make great strides towards a permanent art gallery.”