Thursday 21st February saw the launch of Joanne B. Kaar’s Robert Dick-themed “Portable Museum of Curiosity”.

Between October and December 2012 as part of her Museums Galleries Scotland and Creative Scotland funded “Iconic Artists in Iconic Places” residency at Caithness Horizons Dunnet-based Fibre Artist Joanne created a “Portable Museum of Curiosity” inspired by the hand-made moss collection box, which belonged to Thurso baker and botanist Robert Dick (January 1811 – 24th December 1866) that is on display at the Museum.

The “Portable Museum of Curiosity” is a stunning piece of contemporary art and a travelling exhibition complete with activity suggestions. It is available for schools, community groups and other heritage organisations to borrow in order to learn more about the life and work of Robert Dick. The “Portable Museum of Curiosity” is already going out on loan to the St. Fergus Gallery, Wick and Mull Museum. It has been featured in a paper entitled “The Herbarium as Muse: Plant Specimens as Inspiration” by Maura C. Flannery, Professor of Biology, St. Johns University, New York at an American Association for the Advancement of Science Conference in Boston, which was attended by over 8,000 people.

If you would like to borrow the “Portable Museum of Curiosity” please contact Joanne Howdle, Museum Curator on 01847 896508 or e-mail: joannehowdle@caithnesshorizons.co.uk

The “Portable Museum of Curiosity” will be on display at Caithness Horizons from 21st February until 10th March. During this period the “Portable Museum” will be taken off display for a few hours each day for groups to use.

Source: Caithness Horizons