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The Scottish Contemporary Collective- During Lewis Mackenzie's Alla Prima Masterclass.Our Story: A Vision for Meaningful Support
For years, collecting art and sponsoring prizes provided a way to engage with Scotland’s vibrant contemporary art scene. But the deeper the involvement, the clearer it became—many emerging artists face significant challenges beyond simply creating great work. The art world often lacks structured, long-term support for those at the beginning of their careers, leaving many talented artists struggling to sustain their practice.
A pivotal moment came in October 2023, when I sponsored the main prize for the Scottish Prize for Fine Art. That evening, Lewis Mackenzie was announced as the winner, and it was at this event that I was introduced to the work of the artists who would later become the first cohort of the Scottish Contemporary Collective. I was immediately drawn to their talent, acquiring pieces from them and maintaining contact in the months that followed. What began as a connection through collecting quickly developed into something much deeper—a recognition that their challenges went far beyond visibility.
One conversation that night planted the seed for the Collective. I spoke with Eva Hewitt and her mother, who shared concerns about the gaps in traditional art education. Eva had graduated from art school with technical skills and creative vision, but she lacked the fundamental business knowledge needed to sustain a career—how to price her work, how to market herself, how to navigate taxation. These were skills I had spent years developing in my own business career, and I realised that, beyond just purchasing work, I had something valuable to offer.
The very next day, I left the prize event and travelled to Tighnabruaich for a family holiday. I instantly fell in love with Argyll’s Secret Coast—one of the most picturesque places in the world. The landscape, the light, and the slower pace of life made an immediate impression, and while there, we viewed a house that we ended up purchasing in January 2024. The move to Argyll was a personal decision, but it also laid the foundation for what would come next.
Then, over Easter 2024, I came across a listing that changed everything—Tighnabruaich Gallery was for sale. At that moment, everything clicked. This wasn’t just a gallery; it was the missing piece, the conduit to bring my vision to life. By acquiring the gallery, I could build a long-term support system for emerging artists, one that combined exhibition opportunities, mentorship, and financial sustainability.
This is how the Scottish Contemporary Collective was born—not just as a gallery project, but as a movement dedicated to empowering artists at every stage of their careers. It is a direct response to the barriers that I saw first-hand—ensuring that the next generation of artists is not only seen but supported in a way that makes a real, lasting difference.
Ross Murray Poole
