Scottish Society of Architect Artists

The Scottish Society of Architect Artists was founded in 1987 by architects interested in the visual arts besides architecture - drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, print-making and experimental art.  Its Patron is HRH the Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO.

Membership of the Society is open to architects and students, and to persons involved in architectural practice in Scotland, past and present.  A recent rule change allows ex-patriots to become members of the Society.

The SSAA is a Scottish Charity Number SCO13097.  It was affiliated to the London based Society of Architect Artists, which was founded in 1964, but the SAA is currently dormant.  It is also an Associated Society of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (although entirely independent of the RIAS), and the Society counterparts in France (Ligne et Couleur - Paris) and Germany (Line et Couleur - Stuttgart).  Reciprocal exchanges of works for exhibitions have been made with them and also with nascent Societies in Italy (Venice), Spain (Barcelona) and Poland (SARP Group - Warsaw).

The SSAA is committed to holding an annual exhibition of members’ works, which alternates between Glasgow and Edinburgh, which usually takes place in the Spring or Summer.  Additional exhibitions are sometimes arranged at other times, in the Autumn or before Christmas.  For the main annual exhibition, a guest artist is invited to exhibit a number of his or her works and to take part in the selection of members’ works.  Following the exhibition preview and reception, a dinner is usually held, providing an opportunity for members to meet and socialise; representatives from the sister societies are also invited and this courtesy is reciprocated at their exhibitions.

Aims

1. To encourage architects to develop their skills in painting, sculpture and related arts and crafts.
2. To provide opportunities for architects to exhibit and sell their work.

Objectives

1. To organise and manage at least one selling exhibition per year, alternating in location between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
2. To consider other opportunities to exhibit throughout Scotland.
3. To publicise the exhibitions as widely as possible, by using the architectural and arts press and local advertisers’ events columns, and posters distributed in libraries and other appropriate public spaces.
4. To invite Architect Artist Societies in other European countries to submit exhibits, and to participate in their exhibitions when invited.
5. To notify members of opportunities to participate in workshops at local art schools to develop their skills and techniques.