The next phase of a multi-million pound cultural development in Angus has begun.
Hospitalfield in Arbroath is at the centre of a £5.5 million project supported by the Tay Cities Region Deal.
It will see one of Scotland’s most significant arts and crafts country houses transformed for artists and visitors.
And this latest stage includes work to restore historic studios that have hosted legendary figures in the art world.
Talents including Joan Eardley, Alastair McLennan and Sir Peter Blake honed their skills in the centuries-old studios.
They are now one of the few remaining purpose-built facilities of their kind in Scotland.
The studios served as an art school in 1902 and then Hospitalfield’s post graduate school from 1938.
Visitor numbers boost
The latest stage continues work which began in May 2021 with the opening of Hospitalfield’s walled garden, designed by Nigel Dunnett.
It included the restoration of the 19th-century fernery and greenhouse café, designed by Caruso St John.
Despite the impact of the pandemic, Hospitalfield welcomed more than 12,000 visitors.
The second phase aims to create world-class facilities for artists from all backgrounds and around the globe.
It will include a new digital studio and introduce energy saving measures including air source heat pumps to heat the vast spaces.
And the early 19th century laundry and tack rooms will become facilities for Hospitalfield’s horticultural programmes.
Guest house funding shortfall
But the culture hub now faces a funding challenge to create accommodation for visiting artists.
Rocketing construction industry costs mean there is a shortfall in the money available to begin work on a ten-bedroom guest house.
Hospitalfield director Lucy Byatt said: “We are delighted to make a start on phase two which builds on the momentum of visitor numbers this year and the appointment of Elaine Chalmers as our new head chef.
“As she gets her feet under the table, expect wonderful things from the menu and the amazing food events that she will play a part in giving vision to.
“Hospitalfield is Angus’s V&A and indeed was inspired by the original V&A in Kensington.
“Our vision is for artists to be living and working from the historic house and using the studios.”
Guest house is key
And Lucy says the on-site guest house is a key part of the vision.
She said: “I feel the responsibility very keenly to fill the funding gap so that we can complete this phase in its entirety.
“By building this wonderful small building on our site for Angus we will secure the financial future for Hospitalfield and in doing so contribute so much to the local economy by setting an ambitious precedent for the quality of design.”
Culture Minister Neil Gray said: “This is an important moment for Hospitalfield House as work begins to restore the art studios in this historic building and create education facilities on the site.
“When completed, the latest development will offer a fantastic modern space to artists and people from the wider community who come here to work, study and learn.”
Conversation