Peacock Printmakers

Aberdeen-based Peacock Printmakers was established in 1974 by a group of artists, led by Arthur Watson. Other artists 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 organisation thrived and soon outgrew its premises. The church landlords came to the rescue with an offer of the existing underused church hall, and thus Peacock expanded into two buildings. Also, around this time, discussions began with the local firm of Artspace Galleries, which was interested in moving its Gallery into Peacock's original studio. A physical merger was planned and was successful. Peacock Visual Arts, as it was renamed in 2001, has 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 its lively, busy workshop. The outcome has been a continuous, steady stream of exciting, high-quality, innovative work. Artists still produce first-class fine art prints at Peacock, but are also as likely to use video, photography, or digital imaging.