Glenys Andrews, an amateur artist based in Kinross awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) for her services to the local art scene, yesterday said receiving news of her honour was “a delightful surprise.”
Glenys (76) has recently stepped down from a voluntary post as president of Perthshire Open Studios.
She was nominated for inclusion on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to the arts in Perthshire in recognition of her ten years heading Perthshire Open Studios (POS).
The nomination details from the Cabinet Office described her as “a civic stalwart of the arts scene.”
It was only a few weeks ago that Glenys handed on her post as president of the POS committee.
POS, an annual nine-day event held in September involving more than 200 artists and makers across Perthshire, Kinross-shire and other neighbouring counties, is now in its 14th year.
An established artist herself, she had been invited to join the committee in 2011 and quickly became its president in 2012.
It was noted that she has delivered a “flawless” and growing open studios event each year which has brought custom to artists across the county and brought delight to all those who have been enabled to see where and how real art is made.
Each year, 17,000 visitors attend local arts venues because of POS.
The BEM recognises how, in an unpaid capacity, Glenys brought “her organisational capabilities, technology skills, tact and diplomacy” to the role of president.
As well as this for five years Glenys was, also secretary of the Kinross and District Art Club (KADAC).
This overlap led to a very busy schedule for her and now that the time to allow someone else to guide POS has come, Glenys revealed she was looking forward to having more time to devote to her own painting.
“I have always believed in the power of the arts to enable personal expression, attain a sense of achievement and help bind diverse communities together,” she said.
Her supporters described her in the BEM nomination as “the glue of the wider arts community and something of a treasure in her own right: an amateur artist with a stunning professional resume who realised her true talents as an organiser, advocate and promoter.”
“I reread the letter that came from the Cabinet Office several times over,” said Glenys yesterday. “It was such a delightful surprise to find that this was for real.
“It does mean that people appreciate POS and what it does for Perthshire.”
