Toogs Artist Workshop

It’s official. Gaada has purchased it’s formerly leased building, Da Auld Methodist Kirk. As of today the building has formally been renamed Toogs Artist Workshop, ahead of the Workshop’s relaunch in the coming month.

Logo idea for Toogs Artist Workshop ‘T.A.W.’, Wood engraving on paper

The decision to rename the building came after years of confusion in the Burra community as the building has always been known locally as ‘da Chapel’ yet was registered Da Auld Methodist Kirk with the council. Now the purchase has completed, Gaada decided to make a clear distinction between the buildings 122 year history as a place of community worship, and where it stands today – an artist-community-owned safe space for creative development and expression. The building sits upon a hilly area known as Toogs, meaning ‘girsey mound’ in Shaetlan, also from Mooratoogs ‘ant-mound’. Gaada is investing in its home, and wanted to incorprate the word proudly into our building name.

The purchase marks a giant leap forward for the organisation, which has been working tirelessly over the past few years to secure its building as well as investment in the redevelopment into a fit-for-purpose and fully accessible making space and gallery for the growing community of artists working in Shetland.

Toward the end of last year secured capital investment from the Highlands and Islands Enterprise to make interim capital improvements to the workshop facilities at Toogs, as well as toward it’s ongoing capital redevelopment of the site in partnership with Assemble. There is lots more to share, but for now please join us in celebrating the start of an exciting new phase at the Toogs Artist Workshop.