THE arts and events venue Summerhall, in Edinburgh, has been selected by Creative Scotland to host the 2019 Dr Gavin Wallace Fellowship.

Mid-career or established writers based in Scotland are now invited to apply for the post of Fellow, with a deadline for applications of midday on 21 January next year.

The successful writer will become writer in residence at Summerhall for one year.

They will produce new work on the theme of "change, sustainability and how the past informs the present."

The selected Fellow will also receive a £20,000 bursary, and work space at Summerhall.

Verity Leigh, programme manager for Summerhall, said: "We’re looking forward to having a writer in residence engaging with the life and work of Summerhall, and to seeing how they respond creatively to our theme of change, sustainability and how the past informs the present.

"The writer in residence will be able to engage with Summerhall’s eclectic creative community of staff, residents and visiting artists, observe projects including work on sustainability and spend time in the building’s uniquely atmospheric and historic spaces, as well as having time, space and money to write.

"Hosting the Fellowship is part of Summerhall’s ongoing aim to provide more opportunities for writers and artists to create work in Edinburgh, and to be a place where ideas can take flight."

To be eligible for the Fellowship, applicants must have published at least one novel, graphic novel or equivalent work, one collection of short stories, one poetry pamphlet or had one professional production of their work staged or broadcast.

www.summerhall.co.uk/dr-gavin-wallace-fellowship-2019

THE Platform venue in Easterhouse, Glasgow is to stage two shows as part of Celtic Connections, over the weekend of 24 and 24 January.

Sourakata Koite will play on 24 January.

The venue said: "Playing music from childhood, Koite life has been dedicated to the mastery of the Kora and traditions of Senegalese music coupled with a musical curiosity for the diverse music around him.

"In the 1970’s he moved to France eventually settling in Paris where he played in swish Parisian restaurants along the Seine as well as collaborating with musicians such as Manu Dibango, Toure Kunda, Luther Allison and Mah Damba amongst others."

Hen Ogledd is playing on 25 January

Founded by Richard Dawson and harpist, Rhodri Davies, with the addition of Dawn Bothwell and Sally Pilkington, Hen Ogledd’s meaning comes from the Welsh name for the Old North.

Mogic is Hen Ogledd’s third LP, and is out now.

Support comes from The Gymnastic Band.

www.platform-online.co.uk

THE Society of Scottish Artists 121st Annual Exhibition will open to the public on 23 December at Edinburgh's Royal Scottish Academy.

The show will feature installation, video and performance art alongside painting, printmaking, and sculpture.

It will feature works by more than 180 artists, who have been selected from an open call, alongside a curated selection of invited artists.

The exhibition includes:New Media Scotland / Biome Collective with Sembilan Matahari, who have created Shift, an installation work.

Jorg Obergfell's Koya is an installation of 196 photographs of simple tool sheds in northern Japan.

This year’s Graduate Award showcase presents nine recent graduates from Scotland’s five main art schools and, for the first time, City of Glasgow College, including Katie Avey, Phoebe Banks, Emma Booth, Pip Denham, Nancy Dewhurst, Holly Osborne, María Royuela Marqués, Taylor Shaw and Nina Stanger.

A selection of art by ten SSA past Presidents marks the launch of a new Presidents Prize to be offered by the Society.

The inaugural award is comprised of contributions from those presidents who served since 1990.

Sharon Quigley, President of the Society of Scottish Artists said: "The highlight of the SSA calendar is the Annual Exhibition, held at the Royal Scottish Academy, where we seek to encourage an appreciation and understanding of contemporary art by as wide an audience as possible, spotlighting the extraordinary quality and range of work being made by associated artists.

"With a focus this year on the Society, we’ve sought to honour the contributions of those who have shaped our organisation, with a showcase from our Past Presidents and by devoting more hanging space to the work of our ever-growing membership."

www.s-s-a.org