We know that The Arts Society Fife brings people together. So, you can imagine how thrilled we were when the first lecture of our 2026-27 season on 'Scottish Impressionist' William McTaggart united his great-granddaughter with one of her previously unknown cousins - a great-great-granddaughter of the great man! 

McTaggart had 13 children who survived adulthood. Fife-based portrait artist Rachel Sutton is a descendant of the youngest of them by his second wife, Marjorie Henderson.

 Rachel was excited to learn that The Arts Society Fife was hosting a lecture at the Cupar Corn Exchange by Julia Marwood about her great grandfather. When she went along she discovered another direct descendant in the audience: Suzanne MacCalman, from the Scottish Borders. She descends from McTaggart’s first marriage to Mary Holmes. Suzanne was on holiday in Pittenweem, Fife, and had seen a flyer advertising the lecture about her great-great grandfather. She said, "I have always loved his work and have a deep connection with it. I couldn't believe the lecture happened to be on while we were in the area and just had to go! The event was great and it was wonderful to meet Rachel for the first time too. I've worked out we are second cousins once removed. I too am an artist and, like my great-great grandfather, am drawn by the sea and landscapes of Scotland. Especially the changing interplay of light and colour. " 

 Arts Society lecturer Julia Marwood said it was thrilling to come to Fife and meet not one but two direct descendants of the man whose art she is so passionate about. She was also delighted that Scottish folk music sung by another great grand daughter, the renowned singer-songwriter Elsa McTaggart,  was played while the audience took their seats. 

 Rachel, who said that her sister Elsa was sad not to be there too,  said, “I enjoyed the lecture and meeting so many great folks and a cousin into the bargain!”

Pictured left to right: Rachel Sutton, Julia Marwood and Suzanne MacCalman

On Monday 8 June we were delighted to attend Fife College and present this year's award to two outstanding arts students:  Emily Clark (HND Jewellery) and Ohla Karpova (HNC Photography).  A Highly Commended Certificate was awarded to Katie Lowndnes (HNC Photography).  Emily and Ohla will be using the award to further their chosen careers.  Emily is going on to Duncan of Jordanstone in the autumn.  She will be entering second year, alongside Emily Parkin - a recipient of our award last year and also a jewellery designer.  Ohla is setting up her own business focusing on potraiture and wedding photography.  

Congratulations go to all the students who applied.  It was a difficult choice to make - their work was of such a high standard.  We wish everyone continued success for the future.

(Group photo:  from left to right:  Diane Russell (former Chair of the Arts Society Fife), Emily Clark, Ohla Karpova and Pat Clark (Arts and Heritage Co-ordinator, Arts Society Fife).
 

See our lectures section for news of our next lecture series.

Join us on 10th Febrary for a look at examples of "astonishing architecture", followed, as usual by tea and coffee. See our lectures section for more detai

We enjoyed our January lecture, hearing about the Glasgow Boys and their travels to Tangier and Morocco with wonderful illustrations of their paintings.

Our Christmas lecture will take place on Friday 9th December, entitled Bruegel:The Seasons and the World, looking at a series of commissioned paintings, charting the changing seasons.

The lecture will be followed by tea and coffee and our traditional mince pies!

Our AGM will take place before the lecture on 10th June

Bill Powell will introduce us to the "prolific, experimental and inclusive artistic practice contributed to a thriving counter-culture.

Our 2025 lectures will start on 14th January with a celebration of Robert Burns.