Tributes

A TRIBUTE TO MIKE IMRIE
Personal Reflections from SCA Chair Ian Pearson

Mike Imrie died suddenly whilst on holiday in Edinburgh on 31st May 2023 aged eighty. For many many years Mike’s key role within the Society was as its Treasurer. Mike stepped down from this post in 2012, the year that I took the role of Chair.

For several years it seemed to me that Mike was the Society for every aspect of the organisation had Mikes hand in it. His name was mentioned throughout every task. I have fond memories of seeing Mike handle the screens that the two-dimensional artwork is displayed on. When I say “handle” I really mean that as it would seem nothing to Mike to pick up two screens, one under each arm and man handle them to their position. These screens were not only heavy but large at six foot long by four foot high. Normal practice is for three people to put up each screen, but Mike thought he could do this “simple” feat on his own. Most times he succeeded. Only once did I see him panic in the middle of the Thurso Town Hall (that’s where I first met Mike at an exhibition) surrounded by screens that were not behaving and metal stands that were in great danger of falling on top of Mike.

Mike was proud of his spreadsheets where he kept a keen eye on the Society’s finances. During every exhibition one could ask him any question about who sold what and he could answer within seconds. He provided statistics for everything, even for those occasions that you didn’t even know existed. Mike told me when I had sold work, who to and what time the sale took place! He was on the door almost all the time during many annual exhibitions. Sometimes his presence was accompanied by the sound of classical music which was not to everyone’s taste, and I remember trying to evoke the lack of a recorded music licence to silence the so-called background music. It didn’t work!

Looking through the Society’s archives and in particular photographs where HRH The Queen Mother and HRH Duke of Rothesay (now King Charles III) featured then it quickly dawned on me how Mike and I were in several line ups. I didn’t realise his impact then. Of course, I do now and thank him for that.

Mike and I shared similar experiences that, following the end of every annual exhibition we ended up looking after artwork that has been forgotten to be collected either by the artist or buyer.

A lot of emphasis is linked to people leaving legacies behind and Mike for me has certainly made his mark. Not only with memories but at least one physical item that will always be seen by me as “Mike”. For displaying paintings by a royal artist (Duke of Rothesay) then a fitting screen was required d to be made. Such prestigious artwork couldn’t be hung on the same screens as used by other artists. Mike constructed a unique robust screen made of the strongest wood known to mankind! I thought this screen was so strong that it could be used to house homeless people when not in use at our annual exhibitions!

I have yet to mention the wine. I am convinced that Mike only joined the Times Wine Club so that he could supervise and organise the refreshments for the opening of the annual exhibitions. His choice was the complete opposite of mine. I go for cheap whereas Mike seems to know his grapes and I think we all benefited from his expertise here.

A visual tribute to Mike is planned to be included at the Society’s annual exhibition in 2023.

Ruby at her retirement in 2005

Ruby far left greeting HRH Queen Mother in 1980s

A Tribute to Ruby Sinclair

One of the highlights in the local Caithness calendar has been the Society of Caithness Artists Annual Exhibition. Its popularity has remained for over eighty years. The pandemic, of course, caused all such events to be postponed. Consequently, over the last two years the committee’s decision has been to present the exhibition online.

Over the years the Society have maintained an enthusiastic committee of volunteers. One of the long-standing volunteers was Ruby Sinclair, whose sad death occurred recently this year (2021) Ruby enthusiastically took over the “purse strings” for the Society after the death of Henrietta Munro in 1989. At this time, the annual Exhibition was held in Thurso Town Hall, now known as North Coast Visitor Centre. There are many special memories of the show there, especially of the honour of an annual visit by HRH Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

This event was only a small part in which Ruby played in the local culture and art scene. She was a prominent member of the Thurso Players. Her long association with the Mill Theatre as actor, producer, director helped to establish the great success which the Mill Theatre continues to the present day.

Ruby will be remembered for her valued contribution to the Arts in Caithness.

Written by BM