Mackintosh Building Fire

Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh Building taken 24/05/2014

Yesterday I could smell the smoke and hear the sirens before I learned what was happening: the Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh Building was on fire.

Last night, the Scottish Fire Service issued a statement saying that the building was largely structurally intact, and that the majority of the content was also saved: a much better outcome than had perhaps been expected. This afternoon, the GSA released a statement by Muriel Gray on the state of the Mackintosh Building updating that information:

Bad news first is that we have lost the iconic and unique Mackintosh library. This is an enormous blow and we are understandably devastated.
But the most amazing, almost miraculous news is that the majority of the building is still intact. Due to one of the most astonishingly intelligent and professional pieces of strategy by the fire services, they succeeded in protecting the vast majority of the building, apparently by forming a human wall of fire-fighters up the west end of the main staircase and containing the fire.Also after ensuring no lives were in peril they displayed an impressive understanding of the precious nature of the building, and due to their careful and meticulous handling of each developing situation the damage is considerably less than we dreaded. We have run out of words with which to thank them, but the school has most certainly gained a new gallery of heroes.

Tragically many students have lost some or all of their work, but many others have had theirs preserved, and curators and academic staff can expect to be allowed to enter the building in the next few days to try and assess what can be salvaged.

The joy that our archives are safe combines with the delight in seeing most of our beloved building bruised and battered but most certainly not destroyed.

As for the library, Mackintosh was not famous for working in precious materials. It was his vision that was precious and we are confident that we can recreate what was lost as faithfully as possible.
Our main concern right now is the welfare of the students and the impending graduation and everyone is working hard together to achieve the best outcome for all.

I don’t think I have ever been prouder of being part of the institution over these last two days. I’s not just been the amazing team work, professionalism and support that everyone involved with GSA have demonstrated, but the warmth of support and help from the wider public and all our friends across the world has astonished us. We ‘d like to thank everyone from the depths of our hearts.

GSA have set up a fund in response to many enquiries about donations. Anyone who wishes to offer practical assistance can find out who to contact on this page.

This is going to be a difficult few days for the GSA students whilst they wait to find out what has happened to their work, and unfortunately, some students will have lost everything. It’s not much consolation, but our thoughts are with them. The Mackintosh Building has been damaged, but the creativity, vision and passion of the people of the GSA is still intact, and the school, its students and graduates will continue to flourish.

Shop Local!

You might have seen various calls this Christmas urging you to shop local and support local and independent businesses (Shop Local Saturday this year is taking place on December 7th.) If you’re around the West End of Glasgow, there are loads of opportunities to do this. The area has just won the Great Neighbourhood award from the Academy of Urbanism, praised in part for its community spirit and the wealth of creativity in the area.

It’s no surprise then that independent retailers, bars, restaurants and designer-makers and artists across the West End are banding together to put on Christmas events to give residents the opportunity to shop local, support independent businesses and have a great time! Here’s a quick round-up of the events we know about; they’re all on different dates so you can go to all of them if you so choose!

First up, quite shamelessly, is an event we’re involved with: Yuletide at Cushion & Cake. It takes places on November 28th from 6-9pm and will be in the Cushion & Cake tearoom and across the road at the new Cushion & Cake Too function room (where the C&C Crafternoons are hosted). Sellers who’ll be joining us include Glasgow Craft Mafia alumni Pumpkin Sputnik, Ding Dong Designs and Make Stuff With Us, as well as A Canny Squirrel, Jill Kirkham and loads more! Keep an eye on the Cushion & Cake website and Facebook pages for details of more sellers as they are confirmed.

You’ll also be able to buy from Cushion & Cake’s lovely selection of regular suppliers, including Lovely Pidgeon, Cherith Harrison and Herb Lester. Local traders on Old Dumbarton Road have chipped in to sponsor the event, Duke’s Bar are hosting carol singers and serving mulled wine, and the Old Dumbarton Road Cake Club will be selling cakes in aid of Yorkhill Children’s Hospital.

A week later, and a bit further down the road Festive Finnieston is happening (5th December). Artists and makers based in the Hidden Lane including Finch & Fouracre, Shona Jewellery and Pink Grapefruit will be taking part in a pop-up shop in the Hidden Lane tearoom, and other laners will be welcoming the public to an open studios event.There’ll be lots more happening; follow @festive_finnies on twitter to keep up to date.

The Shop of Interest is also participating in Festive Finnieston- but if you’re about this Sunday, 17th November, they’re hosting their annual birthday sale.

Up at Queen Margaret Drive, the Queen Margaret Drive Winter Festival will take place on Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December between 12 noon and 6pm. Queen Margaret Drive is home to lots of independent businesses, including Ae Fond Kiss, the Black Orchid florists and the North Star Cafe. There’ll be a brass band, DJs, stalls, and a whole lot of fun to be had.

Finally, we have to mention ethical fashion retailer Think Boutique and Rapa Nui Gallery, who are once again teaming up to open a festive Pop Up Shop on Byres Road from 21st November to 21st December.

We’ve only mentioned a few of the businesses involved here;  if you’re taking part in any of the above events, please leave a link to your business in the comments. Likewise we’ve listed West End events because that’s where we’re based. If there are any similar events happening elsewhere (Glasgow or other cities and towns), please stick a link in the comments.

Find us amongst the gin and teacups

No, it’s not just another Thursday night in at M&WHQ, we’re talking about an event taking place this Saturday at The Arches, in Glasgow. Next door to Central Station, just under the Heilanmans Umbrella, you’ll find The Arches – a great little space that’s host to every kind of entertainment, including live music, performance, art and even aliens.

This Saturday we’ll be there with our Mimi and Will samples for you to see in person, as well as assorted goodies from our alter egos with StellaMyStar and GirlIndustries.  Gin in Teacups is a well-established Scottish vintage and crafts market and we’ve been assured that their events at the Arches are always a good time.

So come and join us from 12-5, check out what’s on, and maybe treat yourself to a bite to eat or stick with the theme and go for some gin in the bar.  Hope to see you there!

Can’t make it along to see us?  Remember you can always place your order online – but only for the next 6 days – at Indiegogo.

The Bake Outdoors – our first event

We’re looking forward to our first ever event at The Children’s Wood this weekend.  One of our very favourite places in Glasgow, and something of a hidden gem, this square plot of land in the North Kelvin area of Glasgow is like nowhere else in the city.  The best way we can describe it is as something like a wild park – although it’s carefully looked after by a team of dedicated volunteers.  There’s woodland, a meadow, allotments, lots of cool shady trees, all kinds of urban wildlife and plenty of room to simply run, sit or be at peace in nature.

Invited by our friends in the Glasgow Etsy Team, we will be taking a stall in the handmade and vintage section of the event – although just try and keep us away from the cakes – where you can see samples from our first collection of t-shirts in person. For the little ones, we have a competition to design a t-shirt, you can make your own badges, and we’ll have a few of our own badges, cakes and colouring sheets available to buy.  We’ll be taking pre-orders for delivery of t-shirts and colouring books at the start of December, and you can sign up to our newsletter (if you haven’t already!) so you can be on top of all the latest Mimi & Will news.

But it’s not all about us – there’ll be storytelling with a foodie theme, a mud kitchen, biscuit decorating, local artisan and independent food producers and did we mention the cake?  Find out more at the Children’s Wood event page on Facebook – or turn up and be very pleasantly surprised.

We’re taking this show on the road!

 

In the first of a series of events this autumn, you can find us at the Bake Outdoors. 

 

Our friends at the Children’s Wood in Glasgow are celebrating food and creativity at their home in the North Kelvinside Meadow.  This wide oasis of calm and nature in the heart of Glasgow is a wonderful place to spend time and its events are always a huge success.

 

Open from 12-5, the Bake Outdoors will have everything from home baking to mud pies.  And us!  Alongside a whole lot of friends from the Glasgow Etsy Team, we’ll be showing the samples from our collection, taking pre-orders and we’ll have a stack of goodies and some child-friendly activities on hand, too.

 

We’ll tell you more nearer the time, but why not pop over to The Children’s Wood website or their Facebook page for more info, and how to find us.