Photographer Graeme Robertson has developed the Centre for Practised Arts (CPA) on Church Crescent as an “affordable, accessible, adaptable and inclusive” exhibition and event space.
The 1847 building was originally the Dumfries Savings Bank, later the TSB, and visitors are greeted by an imposing statue of Dr Henry Duncan, founder of the savings banks movement, above the door.
Inside, Graeme has been keen to create a neutral space in the large main room, while showcasing the stunning original features of the building including floor-to-ceiling columns and decorative cornicing.
“I wanted a big white space that would be flexible,” he says, having made clever use of white panels, providing additional hanging space or screening, which can move or be flipped around as required.
Graeme had been renting space on the first floor of the building as a small studio for his photography and had always nurtured ideas of creating an arts venue but knew it would have to be on the ground floor and accessible.
When the ground floor rooms, which had been used as office space, became available, the Anderson family, who run Anderson Kilts next door, agreed he could rent them.
“I said I’d tidy it all up and bring it back to its previous splendour,” he says.
Graeme had the spacious, high-ceilinged room at the front, and the smaller former vault room behind , painted white and also freshened up the former bank manager’s office at the back. It has impressive wood panelling on the walls and a decorative painted glass cupula in the ceiling.
These three rooms can now form a multi-space art gallery or a performance space with behind-the-scenes facilities for costume changes, make-up and equipment.
Originally from Glasgow, Graeme came up with the venue’s name years ago when he was still living in the city and looking to launch a venue with a friend: “I always had the name Centre for Practised Arts because it reflects the inclusive nature of what I wanted to do.
“Unfortunately the Glasgow venture never happened because the building we had in mind was made the subject of a compulsory purchase order and was demolished.”
The Dumfries venue was given a ‘soft launch’ in December with an open evening and a series of open days which have proved extremely popular. Graeme invited five local artists to display their work, demonstrating the diversity and effectiveness of the main room for exhibitions.
They were Liz McQueen, Danny McKinnon, Frank Hayes, Norval Forrest and Claire Hamerton.
Graeme also showed his own work, including powerful recent reportage shots of New York and his Dumfries Then And Now (Past Shadows) collection in the smaller rooms.
Graeme worked in finance and events across Europe for Walt Disney before retiring in 2021. He says he has always enjoyed photography but never actively tried to sell or promote his work.
His main priorities now are portraiture, for which he takes commissions, and cityscapes. His photographs of New York demonstrate his ability to capture a striking image which sums up a person, place or atmosphere, often focussing on unlikely or under-represented subject matter.
Other urban landscapes he has created, including around Dumfries, have an ethereal, almost painterly, quality.
Graeme hopes that the CPA – which has toilets and a small kitchen/bar - will also host weddings, concerts, theatre and dance performances and he welcomes enquiries from groups and individuals.
“I’m happy for it to be whatever people want to make it, as long as there’s nothing offensive or overly political. A main ethos here is to give everyone a chance.”
