Peacock Printmakers

Aberdeen based Peacock Printmakers was established in 1974 by a group of artists, led by Arthur Watson. Other artists who have been associated with this body include Sandy Cheyne, Barry McGlashan, Beth Fisher, Ian Fleming (one time Chairman), Andrew Dewar, Lennox Dunbar and Callum Innes. The founders' idea was to make available a resource in the city for the execution of fine prints and printmaking in general. After much searching an old workshop was found in the centre of Aberdeen and leased from the Trustees of St. Andrew’s Cathedral and with a grant of nearly £3000 from the Scottish Arts Council, Peacock was underway. For the rest of the decade the organization thrived and soon outgrew its premises. The church landlord’s came to the rescue with offer of the existing under used church hall and thus Peacock expanded into two buildings. Also about this time discussions began with the local firm of Artspace Galleries who were interested in moving their Gallery into Peacock’s original studio. A physical merger was planned and was successful. Peacock Visual Arts as it was renamed in 2001 had developed into a professional organisation with some of the most impressive printmaking facilities in Scotland and has attracted many British artists to its studios. Over the years Peacock Visual Arts has attracted many artists to work in its lively and busy workshop. The outcome has been a continuous and steady stream of exciting and high quality innovative work. Artists still produce first class fine art prints at Peacock but are also as likely to be using video, photography or digital imaging.