Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon
unveiled her 2014 Christmas card in the Window on Mackintosh at The Glasgow
School of Art, today 16 December 2014. The card features an image by artist
Phyllis Dodd created in the 1970s and is taken from Conrad McKenna’s collection
of Christmas cards by GSA students and staff which is held in The Glasgow
School of Art Archives and Collections. Ms Sturgeon also visited the Mackintosh
Building to see the ongoing forensic archaeology in the library and met some of
the artists who are benefitting from a Phoenix Bursary. Full details of the visit
in the Scottish Government press release below.
unveiled her 2014 Christmas card in the Window on Mackintosh at The Glasgow
School of Art, today 16 December 2014. The card features an image by artist
Phyllis Dodd created in the 1970s and is taken from Conrad McKenna’s collection
of Christmas cards by GSA students and staff which is held in The Glasgow
School of Art Archives and Collections. Ms Sturgeon also visited the Mackintosh
Building to see the ongoing forensic archaeology in the library and met some of
the artists who are benefitting from a Phoenix Bursary. Full details of the visit
in the Scottish Government press release below.
To see more of the cards in the McKenna
collection visit the GSA Archives and Collections new online catalogue at www.gsa.ac.uk/archives.
collection visit the GSA Archives and Collections new online catalogue at www.gsa.ac.uk/archives.
Further information on the GSA
Lesley Booth
07799414474
News Release:
An
original Glasgow School of Art Christmas card brought back to life.
original Glasgow School of Art Christmas card brought back to life.
A
1970s vintage Glasgow School of Art festive design has been revived and unveiled
today as the First Minister’s official charity Christmas card for 2014.
1970s vintage Glasgow School of Art festive design has been revived and unveiled
today as the First Minister’s official charity Christmas card for 2014.
The
card features a winter image by the late Phyllis Dodd, artist and wife of
former Glasgow School of Art Director Douglas Percy Bliss and is taken from a
series of Glasgow School of Art Christmas cards collected over 60 years by
alumnus, lecturer and WWII Veteran Conrad McKenna.
card features a winter image by the late Phyllis Dodd, artist and wife of
former Glasgow School of Art Director Douglas Percy Bliss and is taken from a
series of Glasgow School of Art Christmas cards collected over 60 years by
alumnus, lecturer and WWII Veteran Conrad McKenna.
The
collection, which is held in The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections
department, survived the devastating fire earlier this year.
collection, which is held in The Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections
department, survived the devastating fire earlier this year.
After
receiving a tour and an update on the restoration works to the fire damaged
Mackintosh Building First Minister Nicola Sturgeon unveiled the card in the new
Reid building.
receiving a tour and an update on the restoration works to the fire damaged
Mackintosh Building First Minister Nicola Sturgeon unveiled the card in the new
Reid building.
For
the first time, this year’s card will be made available for purchase through
National Galleries of Scotland by the public in time for Christmas 2015.
the first time, this year’s card will be made available for purchase through
National Galleries of Scotland by the public in time for Christmas 2015.
The
First Minister said:
First Minister said:
“I am delighted to bring back to life this Christmas
card, beautifully designed by Phyllis Dodd and safely kept in Conrad McKenna’s
impressive collection. It is a lovely wintery image that adorned the
front of a Christmas card at the art school many years ago.
card, beautifully designed by Phyllis Dodd and safely kept in Conrad McKenna’s
impressive collection. It is a lovely wintery image that adorned the
front of a Christmas card at the art school many years ago.
“Christmas is a time for reflection and this year has
been an unforgettable one for all those who have studied, worked or had a
connection to this world leading school of art. The fire was a devastating
loss, not only for this year’s students but for the many who have in some way
been inspired or moved by the magic of one of Scotland’s greatest artist’s –
Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
been an unforgettable one for all those who have studied, worked or had a
connection to this world leading school of art. The fire was a devastating
loss, not only for this year’s students but for the many who have in some way
been inspired or moved by the magic of one of Scotland’s greatest artist’s –
Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
“While some artefacts and pieces will sadly never be
recovered or replaced, I felt that it was appropriate to demonstrate that there
is still hope when some small historical pieces as beautiful as this, have
survived and can now be enjoyed by many people this Christmas.
recovered or replaced, I felt that it was appropriate to demonstrate that there
is still hope when some small historical pieces as beautiful as this, have
survived and can now be enjoyed by many people this Christmas.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Conrad McKenna,
the family of Phyllis Dodd and The Glasgow School of Art for this year’s card.
I am sure when it goes on sale to the public next year it will raise vital
funds for all of this year’s selected charities including the Mackintosh
Appeal, so that they can continue to do their great work.”
the family of Phyllis Dodd and The Glasgow School of Art for this year’s card.
I am sure when it goes on sale to the public next year it will raise vital
funds for all of this year’s selected charities including the Mackintosh
Appeal, so that they can continue to do their great work.”
Professor
Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School of Art, said:
Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School of Art, said:
“We are delighted that the Scottish Government has
selected an image from Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections for its
2014 Christmas Card. The image is from a very special collection of Christmas
cards designed by GSA students and staff which was built up over 60 years by a
GSA alumnus and lecturer, Conrad McKenna. A unique collection, it provides
snapshot of the creativity of The Glasgow School of Art since the 1940s.”
selected an image from Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections for its
2014 Christmas Card. The image is from a very special collection of Christmas
cards designed by GSA students and staff which was built up over 60 years by a
GSA alumnus and lecturer, Conrad McKenna. A unique collection, it provides
snapshot of the creativity of The Glasgow School of Art since the 1940s.”
Background
Design:
Phyllis Dodd, from the McKenna Christmas Card collection, The Glasgow School of
Art Archives and Collections.
Phyllis Dodd, from the McKenna Christmas Card collection, The Glasgow School of
Art Archives and Collections.
Phyllis
Dodd (1899 – 1995) was married to a former Director of The Glasgow School
of Art and often painted there. Two of her portraits hung in the GSA but were
unfortunately lost in the fire. Her husband, Douglas Percy Bliss, was
director from 1946 to 1964 and was responsible for saving the Mackintosh work
at the end of the war when the Mackintosh style was unfashionable and
unappreciated.
Dodd (1899 – 1995) was married to a former Director of The Glasgow School
of Art and often painted there. Two of her portraits hung in the GSA but were
unfortunately lost in the fire. Her husband, Douglas Percy Bliss, was
director from 1946 to 1964 and was responsible for saving the Mackintosh work
at the end of the war when the Mackintosh style was unfashionable and
unappreciated.
The
artwork, which survived May’s fire, was originally a Christmas card painted by
Phyllis and given to GSA staff by her and Douglas. It entered the GSA archive
as part of a collection owned by Conrad McKenna, a WW2 veteran and former
student and staff member.
artwork, which survived May’s fire, was originally a Christmas card painted by
Phyllis and given to GSA staff by her and Douglas. It entered the GSA archive
as part of a collection owned by Conrad McKenna, a WW2 veteran and former
student and staff member.
The
card now enjoys a permanent place in its online archive, launched last week.
card now enjoys a permanent place in its online archive, launched last week.
Further
information on The Glasgow School of Art is here – www.gsa.ac.uk
information on The Glasgow School of Art is here – www.gsa.ac.uk
For
Christmas 2015, this card will be on sale to the public in partnership with
National Galleries, to raise money for these selected charities:
Christmas 2015, this card will be on sale to the public in partnership with
National Galleries, to raise money for these selected charities:
2014
CHRISTMAS CARD CHARITIES
CHRISTMAS CARD CHARITIES
The Mackintosh Appeal – http://www.gsa.ac.uk/support-gsa/the-mackintosh-appeal/
On 18 June 2014, The Glasgow School of Art launched
The Mackintosh Appeal with the aim of raising around £20m to support the
institution in the work that needs to be undertaken following the fire in the
Mackintosh Building.
The Mackintosh Appeal with the aim of raising around £20m to support the
institution in the work that needs to be undertaken following the fire in the
Mackintosh Building.
The
Catherine McEwan Foundation – http://catherinemcewanfoundation.com/
Catherine McEwan Foundation – http://catherinemcewanfoundation.com/
The
money raised by the Catherine McEwan Foundation is split between two main
causes – Crohn’s & Colitis UK, the national charity, and the Royal Hospital
for Sick Children (Yorkhill) in Glasgow. The Foundation is run by a small group
of dedicated volunteers so there are no staffing costs. All the money raised
goes directly to supporting people living with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
money raised by the Catherine McEwan Foundation is split between two main
causes – Crohn’s & Colitis UK, the national charity, and the Royal Hospital
for Sick Children (Yorkhill) in Glasgow. The Foundation is run by a small group
of dedicated volunteers so there are no staffing costs. All the money raised
goes directly to supporting people living with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
Yorkhill
Children’s Charity – http://www.yorkhill.org/
Children’s Charity – http://www.yorkhill.org/
Yorkhill
Children’s Charity provides and supports excellence in paediatric, obstetric
and neonatal healthcare enhancing the treatment, care and wellbeing of children
and their families through The Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill and
other hospital and community based services both nationally and
internationally.
Children’s Charity provides and supports excellence in paediatric, obstetric
and neonatal healthcare enhancing the treatment, care and wellbeing of children
and their families through The Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill and
other hospital and community based services both nationally and
internationally.
Scotland’s
Charity Air Ambulance – http://www.scaa.org.uk/
Charity Air Ambulance – http://www.scaa.org.uk/
SCAA
provides a fully equipped medical helicopter that can be deployed from its
central base at Perth Airport to incidents across the length and breadth of
Scotland. It works in close cooperation with the Scottish Ambulance Service who
provide the paramedic staff that crew the helicopter.
provides a fully equipped medical helicopter that can be deployed from its
central base at Perth Airport to incidents across the length and breadth of
Scotland. It works in close cooperation with the Scottish Ambulance Service who
provide the paramedic staff that crew the helicopter.
Legion
Scotland – http://www.legionscotland.org.uk/
Scotland – http://www.legionscotland.org.uk/
Legion Scotland is the largest
ex-services membership charity in Scotland, working at the heart of the
veterans’ community with nearly 170 branches and over 35,000 members.
ex-services membership charity in Scotland, working at the heart of the
veterans’ community with nearly 170 branches and over 35,000 members.
Its members lead and help to organise remembrance
events around Scotland, work with schools and young people,
and provide vital support to other veterans’ charities to fundraise for
veterans’ causes.
events around Scotland, work with schools and young people,
and provide vital support to other veterans’ charities to fundraise for
veterans’ causes.
The
First Minister’s Christmas message – filmed with Young Scot – was released
earlier today and can be viewed here –
First Minister’s Christmas message – filmed with Young Scot – was released
earlier today and can be viewed here –
Ends
Contact
Gurjit
Singh:
Singh:
0131
244 2517/ 07810 507 014
244 2517/ 07810 507 014