The new ‘Over the Hills & Far Away…’ exhibition showing work from year two of the Highland schools crafts residencies has opened at the Iona Gallery in Kingussie.

The ambitious three year project is involving all eight areas of the Highlands through placing a crafts maker in residence in selected schools and will culminate in a national touring exhibition in 2007 of work created by all of the makers who have participated.

Four makers took part in the second year of the project – jeweller Gilly Langton was based at Plockton high school in Skye and Lochalsh, environmental artist Tim Johnson worked at Kingussie High School in Badenoch and Strathspey, while in Sutherland Neil Fuller and Anthony O’Flaherty divided their time between Rosehall primary, Kinlochbervie high school and Farr high school.

In Plockton the residency by jeweller Gilly Langton resulted in a catwalk show, with the make up, planning, filming and music co-ordinated by the pupils.  Her work has developed as a result of her stay in the area.  She said “My new collection of silver and enamel jewellery is inspired by a little red and turquoise rowing boat that sits on the harbour, mixed up with memories of coral beaches and sailing trips.”

Tim Johnson at Kingussie high school enjoyed working with a new range of natural materials – heather and myrtle, larch and juniper, Scot’s pine and wavy hair grass – all of which have filled his head with seeds of new ideas.

Year two of the project has touched everyone who was involved and opened up a whole new world of possibilities to many of the pupils.

The exhibition is on at the Iona Gallery, Duke Street, Kingussie from 30 September until 5 November 2005 before touring the Highlands during 2006.