Local artist, Joanne B Kaar has been inspired by the history of her own village, Dunnet, on Dunnet Head, Caithness, to create new artwork. During 2008, she will be focusing her research on the living history museum of Mary-Ann’s cottage, a croft house built in the 1850’s by Mary-Ann’s grandfather.

Situated just a few yards from Joanne’s own home, she has, over a number of years visited Mary-Ann’s, and made sketches of artefacts in the croft. One particular story which has inspired Joanne is about Mary-Ann's father, William Young. He worked on the maiden voyage of the ‘Westland’ from Glasgow to New Zealand in 1879. His sea chest is to be found in Mary-Ann’s cottage. Inside the lid is a painting of the Westland.

As her research and ideas unfold, Joanne will post images and information on her project blog:
http://joannebkaar-mary-anns-cottage.blogspot.com/  

Joanne’s talents are much in demand throughout Scotland and beyond, regularly running educational workshops for the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh.

For further information please go to  Joanne's website at http://www.joannebkaar.com or e-mail info@joannebkaar.com