News from Cove Park and a Farewell to
Julian Forrester

As 2020 draws to a close we would like to thank all the individuals and groups that have taken part in Cove Park's residency and creative learning programmes. Despite the temporary closure of the site between March and September, we have welcomed over 75 makers, designers, visual and performing artists, curators, writers and researchers in 2020 and hosted leading cultural organisations such as Collective and Cryptic. Partnerships are vital to our programme and we were also pleased to work with Applied Arts Scotland, Artists Moving Image Festival and Birkbeck University of London. Due to guidance from Scottish Government and national travel restrictions, residencies were placed on hold this month but we look forward to opening our doors again in 2021.

Our current programme is made possible with funding from Creative Scotland, British Council Scotland and national Trusts and Foundations. We would like to thank all the organisations supporting  Cove Park this year. 2020 saw the launch of our new Supporters, Friends and Patrons scheme and we are particularly grateful to those individuals joining this programme during such a challenging time. If you would like to take part and help to create more opportunities for national and international artists, please scroll down for further information.

Finally, as we look forward to welcoming our new Chief Executive Officer Francesca Bertolotti-Bailey to Cove Park in January, we do have to wish Julian Forrester a very fond farewell. Julian is retiring this month from his role as Director after a long and wonderful association with Cove Park and its founders Eileen and Peter Jacobs. The team will miss Julian enormously and we all want to thank him for the vision, kindness and care that has nurtured Cove Park during its first 20 years. This Newsletter includes words of thanks to Julian from Cathie Boyd (Founder and Artistic Director of Cryptic and one of our very first residents) and from Lauren Dyer Amazeen (Chair of Cove Park) on behalf of our Trustees. The final words are from Julian himself.

Julian, we wish you a very long and happy retirement and we will miss you.

Image: Julian Forrester, Cove Park's Director 2009-2020 (photography, Ruth Clark)

To Julian, From Cathie Boyd

'I have visited Cove Park many times over the years and I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet and get to know one particularly fantastic mind. A curious mind who loves to ask questions about the project you are working on. Not just one question, but several over the residency, ultimately keen to sit down and understand your artistic ambitions whilst brilliantly challenging your ideas and always with the utmost charm. That wonderful, rather eccentric gentleman, is none other than Julian Forrester.

I first met Julian in 2000, when I went to Cove Park to work on my ideas for a new production with Cryptic. I needed time away from Glasgow and headspace to focus on a project for string quartet and visuals. I was told by Julian that the accommodation ‘might not be ready’ but I could stay in the attic of the Jacobs' house, on Peaton Hill, and walk up to the centre each day. I agreed and off I went, the start of a wonderful and fruitful collaboration that has grown into an annual residency programme. Cove Park is a truly unique place for creative thinking and spending quality time with Julian has always been an utter pleasure. I sincerely thank the Jacobs for luring him back to Scotland from London to help develop this unique residency.

Aside from his inquisitive character and mischievous sense of humour, what I soon learnt about Julian was his profound and inspiring knowledge of dance, theatre and music. He has worked with amazing organisations and festivals in the UK and USA, including the Royal Opera House, Northern Ballet and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. One could strike up a conversation about an artist in Montréal and he most likely would have heard of them.

Julian has played such an important role in building Cove Park to where it is today; he has supported the development of 1000’s of artists over the years, including me. Thank you, Julian, for your fun, wisdom and always making us feel so welcome.'

Cathie Boyd, Founder and Artistic Director, Cryptic

Image: Julian Forrester, foreground, with artists taking part in the Cryptic Residency and the Cryptic team, 2019 (image courtesy of Cathie Boyd).

From Cove Park's Trustees & From Julian

'THANK YOU, JULIAN.

Since the beginning, Julian has welcomed and engaged a legion of artists and guests to Cove Park with his gracious manner and good humour. His inimitable presence over these past 20 years will have a lasting effect as we move forward.

Adding to his legacy, we are honouring him with the title Director Emeritus. We also wish to procure funds for a special residency in his name, which will support performing artists and creatives in the future.

We bid Julian a fond farewell, and wish him all the best in his well earned retirement.'

Lauren Dyer Amazeen, Chair, on behalf of Cove Park's Trustees.

''What’s past is prologue’ and I hope my time at Cove Park is indeed prologue to a wonderful new chapter with Francesca and the great  team she will inherit. I would like to dedicate whatever I might have achieved to all those, past and present, who have made Cove Park the special place it is.'

Julian Forrester

Image: Lauren Dyer Amazeen (Chair, Cove Park), Amanda Catto (Head of Visual Arts, Creative Scotland) and Julian Forrester, Cove Park June 2019, following the UK premiere of Charlotte Prodger's SaF05 and the launch of the Scottish Tour of Scotland + Venice 2019 (photography, Alan Dimmick).

Hands-On Cove Park
Christmas Workshops

Hands-On Cove Park's series of films, activity packs and online workshops has been a highlight of our programme this year: HOCP at Home has allowed us to continue to share the work of our artists with audiences near and far, creating a digital resource available via our website that can continue to be shared over the coming months. We are grateful to the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and to Young Start Community Fund for making this programme possible.

We are pleased to include an image here of work produced during an online embroidery workshop on 28 November led by artist Deirdre Nelson. Many wonderful seasonal decorations were created and we would like to thank everyone who took part.

We wish all our Hands-On artists and participants a very happy holiday and we look forward to welcoming everyone to new workshops in 2021.

Image: Embroider your own Christmas Decorations Workshop, 28 November 2020

Support Cove Park and become a Supporter, Friend or Patron in 2020

As for all artists and charities working within the cultural sector as a whole, the current global crisis means 2020 is a critical moment for the future of Cove Park. Although our plans to celebrate our 20th anniversary this year are now on hold, our commitment to the artists and communities we serve continues. At a time of considerable uncertainty for everyone, providing opportunities for artists from all backgrounds and at every career stage to devise and produce new work is more important to our culture and society than it has ever been.

Please join us by becoming a Supporter, Friend or Patron in 2020. We offer a number of ways individuals and groups can support our work, take part in our programme and spend time at one of Scotland's most beautiful locations. To find our more and to join Cove Park please visit our Support Us page.

As a registered charity Cove Park welcomes all donations, small or large. Gifts of any amount will make an enormous difference to our work. Please donate today if you can. Thank you.

Image: Cove Park's Artists Centre, June 2019 (photography, Alan Dimmick)