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Clan Currie Documentary to Open Scottish Arts Program "The Crafter's Song" to be Screened at "Living Traditions" Conference in Dunkeld, Scotland, September 28-29, 2005
The Clan Currie Society's popular documentary film, "The Crafter's Song," will be screened as part of the Scottish Arts Council's "Living Traditions" conference to be held at the Birnam Institute in Dunkeld, Scotland. The conference runs September 28-29, 2005. The purpose of the conference is to bring together members of the arts and crafts communities in Scotland to exchange ideas and review developments in understanding the future of Scotland's crafts. According to conference coordinator Louise Butler, "Clan Currie's film complements our conference very well and helps underscore the importance of preserving and developing Scotland's indigenous crafts. It's a wonderful learning tool and a brilliant legacy of the fine skills represented during the Tartan Day celebrations." Butler continued, "When we set out with Clan Currie to produce the crafts workshop on Ellis Island, we never dreamed that the event would result in such a wonderful documentary - it's a real credit to the crafters and to those who participated in this magical interactive weekend. It captures something very special." Dr. Helen Bennett, Head of Crafts for the Scottish Arts Council, first viewed the film at its Scottish premiere at Clan Currie's benefit fundraiser for the Friends of Dunkeld Cathedral in 2004. "The film captures the continuing fascination and relevance of Scottish traditional craft skills, complementing our conference which will explore the contributions this unique aspect of Scottish culture can make in the 21st century."
About The Crafter's Song "The Crafter's Song" is the first documentary film produced in America about National Tartan Day. Narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Cliff Robertson, the film was produced by the Clan Currie Society in collaboration with Metaphor Pictures of New York. The film explores Tartan Day through the eyes of four of Scotland's premiere crafters during their exhibition on Ellis Island in 2003 as part of Clan Currie's annual Tartan Day program. Each craft represents part of Scotland's "portable culture" that was brought with Scottish immigrants to North America from Colonial times to the present. Featured in the film are Hamish Moore - a celebrated bagpipe maker, teacher and international performer, Wilma Couper - a knitter with the Shetland Working Textile Museum, Robert McBain - a master tailor and kilt maker, and Colin Adamson - a producer of violins, violas and cellos for world class musicians. In addition, the crafters are joined by New York violinist, Lisa Gutkin - a performer with the contemporary Celtic band, Whirligig.
The film is the recipient of the 2005 Telly Award for video production excellence. Clan Currie has previously received four additional awards of excellence for their television programming. The film is available for loan to Scottish groups and other organizations for use in their regular meetings, special events, or to augment their own Tartan Day programs. Most recently, the film was screened as part of National Tartan Day events in Washington, DC, Williamsburg, VA and Ellis Island. Learn more. About National Tartan Day National Tartan Day is an American celebration that recognizes the contributions of Scots and Scottish-Americans to the development of the United States. In 1998 the U.S. Senate passed a resolution recognizing April 6 as National Tartan Day in recognition of "the outstanding contribution of millions of Scots-Americans to our great nation." The date commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, which was an influence on the American Declaration of Independence. Almost half of the signatories on the Declaration of Independence were of Scottish descent, while three-quarters of U.S. presidents have been of Scottish ancestry. About The Scottish Arts Council The Scottish Arts Council is the lead body for the funding, development and advocacy of the arts in Scotland. Their purpose is to serve the people of Scotland by fostering arts of excellence through funding, development, research and advocacy. The Council offers a unique national perspective on the provision and management of the arts which seeks to balance the needs of all arts sectors and all communities in Scotland.
The Council's expertise and experience in developing sound policy and good practice includes the ability to make links between the intrinsic value of the arts and their instrumental value in delivering social and economic benefits at a national level. For further information, visit www.scottisharts.org.uk. About The Clan Currie Society The Clan Currie Society, an American-based, international, non-profit cultural and educational organization, is active in preserving and promoting highland heritage at Scottish Games, ethnic festivals, as well as community groups and classrooms. One of the Society's key events is the annual observance of National Tartan Day at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. The organization started as a family name society in Glasgow, Scotland in 1959 to further the knowledge and appreciation of the MacMhuirich bardic dynasty. The MacMhuirichs (the Gaelic name for Currie) served for over 700 years as professional poets to the Lords of the Isles and later to the MacDonalds of Clanranald. The Red Book of Clanranald, one of Gaelic Scotland's literary treasures, was penned by successive generations of the MacMhuirich family. Today, the organization is one of the leading American-based foundations that focuses on celebrating the Scots-Gaelic origins of the Currie name as well as producing outstanding programs and events to honor Scotland's rich culture and ancestry. The Society has over 2,500 members worldwide that gather via the Society's website (www.clancurrie.com). The Society actively supports Scots organizations and events around the world. Some of the many events that Clan Currie has supported over the years include the 1993 commissioning of the USS John Paul Jones, the 2001 National Capital Tartan Day celebrations, and this year's Dressed To Kilt fashion extravaganza, among others. For additional information about the Clan Currie Society or to inquire about loan arrangements for the film, phone (908) 273-3509, e-mail them at clancurrie@mail.com or visit their Web site at www.clancurrie.com.
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