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The work of Stewart Carmichael, one of Dundee’s great champions of art, is to be featured in a new exhibition at the University of Dundee, the first major retrospective since his death in 1950.

Carmichael, who was born 150 years ago, played a leading role in developing the `Celtic Revival’ art movement in Dundee. The `Stewart Carmichael: Celtic Visions’ exhibition displays his own work and also points to the great influence he had in Dundee’s cultural development.

Curator Matthew Jarron said, "Carmichael was arguably the most important champion of art that Dundee had over half a century ago, yet his work has never received the attention it deserves. As well as his significant talents as a painter and illustrator, he was also a tireless campaigner for the role of art in the city.

"He created murals for churches and other public buildings, and played an important role in the development of early art collectives such as Dundee Art Society and the first shared artists’ studios in the city. He was also a vocal supporter of art education, including what is now Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design."

The exhibition will open in the University’s Lamb Gallery on Saturday, 15th July 2017. It has been created in partnership with The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum which is also celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. It also features material on loan from other local collections.

‘Stewart Carmichael: Celtic Visions’ will run until Saturday, 30th September 2017.

For more information contact museum@dundee.ac.uk or 01382 384310.

It’s 2017 which means Dundee has just over a year to ensure that it is the most welcoming city in Scotland for the opening of V&A Museum of Design Dundee. Now a remarkable initiative is underway to train everyone likely to meet a tourist and create an impression.

With up to 500,000 visitors expected that first year and 300,000 thereafter, taxi drivers, road sweepers and parking attendants are amongst those being put through the WorldHost customer service programme to ensure they offer the best possible welcome.

Amongst those to have already put her staff through the scheme is Claire Simpson, 41, proprietor of the family-run Tea and Cake shop on Exchange Street.

Having fun is kids’ stuff in Dundee

With its green spaces and sandy beaches, Dundee has always offered children a place to stretch their legs and burn off some energy. These are still here in abundance, but have been joined by many family attractions that can satisfy 21^st-century kids’ appetites for excitement.

Olympia Leisure Centre

One of Dundee’s newest family attractions, this state-of-the-art leisure centre has been designed with fun and fitness in mind. There are water-based thrills for all ages, from a good old splash in the toddler pool to a rapid river. Fantastic flumes have 3D holograms, LED light effects, and clear sections to enhance the adventure. The Cannonball has an incredible 3.8m drop into the dive pool!  For those who just want to swim, there’s a six-lane, 50m swimming pool.
Olympia, 3 East Whale Lane, DD1 3JU. 01382 432300
www.leisureandculturedundee.com/leisure/olympia-home

Camperdown Wildlife Centre

In the middle of beautiful Camperdown Country Park, around 15 minutes’ away from the city centre, there are some rather interesting locals to meet! Camperdown Wildlife Park is home to bears, wolves, exotic birds, lemurs, donkeys, mouflons, otters, and much more. The keepers hold talks to let inquiring young minds learn more about each species.
Camperdown Wildlife Centre, Camperdown Country Park, Coupar Angus Road, DD2 4TF. 01382 431811
www.camperdownwildlifecentre.com

Dundee Science Centre

Young minds thrive on the wonders of the universe, soaking in big ideas that inspire them. At Dundee Science Centre, in the heart of the city, that happens all day long and for all ages - from toddlers to grown-up kids who still want to know about the wonderful world around them.  There are interactive exhibitions, hands-on sessions, and cutting-edge activities that make science fun for everyone!
Dundee Science Centre, Greenmarket DD1 4QB. 01382 228 800
www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk

Dundee Ice Arena

Even the tiniest kids can enjoy their own “frozen” experience here. At Snow Babies sessions, especially for the under-fives, there’s no need to even wear skates. Little ones can be pushed around special toys, getting them used to being on the ice. For bigger kids, there are learn to skate sessions and with the price including a public session after, there’s time to practice all the skills that have just been picked up. For experienced skaters, there is a perfect chance to show off your moves at the Disco sessions!
Dundee Ice Arena, Camperdown Leisure Park, DD2 4TF. 01382 431900
www.dundeeicearena.co.uk

Mark Beaumont, the man who cycled the world and has completed a host of long-distance adventures, has been named the new Rector of the University of Dundee.

Mark, who attended school in Dundee, assumes the role of Rector with immediate effect. He was elected unopposed and succeeds the actor Brian Cox, who was elected to the position in 2010 and has served two terms.

"I am absolutely thrilled, and slightly surprised, to be the new Rector of the University of Dundee," said Mark. "Six years ago I sat in the audience at the Caird Hall as Brian Cox stepped into the role and I remember his words about making a real difference. I commend Brian for his hard work and will do my utmost to continue being a credible voice for the student body.

"I went to high school in Dundee and was delighted to return and receive an honorary degree from the University in 2012. In fact Dundee was the starting point for my first ever adventure at the age of 12, to cycle across Scotland.

"The University of Dundee is also where my sister graduated from, so I am certainly not short of connections and I am very proud of the city and the University's many successes over the years. I look forward to playing my part in the University of Dundee's many future triumphs."

Mark will be formally installed as Rector in a ceremony to be arranged for a later date. The Rector is elected to serve the students' interests, including at the University Court, the governing body of the institution.

Professor Sir Pete Downes, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee, said, "I am delighted to welcome Mark Beaumont into the University community, and I am sure he will be an excellent representative for our students.

"He will have a hard act to follow in Brian Cox, who has displayed hard work, dedication and friendship to the students and to the University in general over his past six years in post. We are all extremely grateful to Brian and hope that he will continue to be involved in the work of the Students' Association and the University."

www.dundee.ac.uk

Dundee’s £1billion waterfront redevelopment project was linked firmly to the city’s heritage of discovery and innovation today, with the formal unveiling of the Discovery Walk.

Discovery Walk is a series of specially designed bronze plaques commemorating famous people from or connected with Dundee who have made significant contributions to science and society.

Lord Provost Bob Duncan of the City of Dundee formally unveiled the first ten plaques to be installed in Discovery Walk, at Slessor Gardens on the city's Central Waterfront.

There are nine plaques commemorating scientists, engineers, writers, artists, social reformers and philanthropists, plus a tenth plaque introducing the Walk.

The individuals being celebrated were chosen in a public consultation exercise last year. The criteria for selection were that the nominees must be deceased and must have either been born or spent much of their time in Dundee.

They must have made a notable or influential discovery or innovation, either in Dundee or clearly linked to the city.

The audience for the event included relatives of those being honoured in the plaques, together with colleagues, supporters and all of those who have made the Walk possible.

Lord Provost of Dundee Bob Duncan said: "The city already has a number of interesting and exciting attractions that bring tourists to Dundee and it is wonderful that we can now add the Discovery Walk to that list.

"Our heritage is studded with prominent people in a wide variety of disciplines and it is great to see them being celebrated and commemorated in this way."

Discovery Walk is the brainchild of Kelly Marr, an Australian who has made Dundee her home.

She said: "I was inspired by the famous Writers’ Walk around Sydney Harbour celebrating more than 50 writers either from or associated with Australia in some way. During the last 20 years I would hear about some of the great innovations that were made in Dundee, and I always felt that it was a great shame that such achievements were not celebrated publicly.

"To understand the people included in Discovery Walk is to understand that great achievements are the result of intellect, certainty, determination, generosity and imagination. These are the examples that will be passed on to all generations of Dundonians, inspiring the city to retain the accolade of being a world-recognised progressive and innovative centre of achievement."

Ten organisations in the city have agreed to be Champions of Discovery Walk. NCR are overall Champions, and each of the plaques has a Champion closely linked to the achievement being celebrated.

Adam Crighton, Vice-President at NCR in Dundee, said: "NCR considers it an honour and a privilege to champion this unique and important project as we celebrate our 70^th year in Dundee in 2016. Courageous, forward thinking individuals, like the ones we are paying tribute to today, are undoubtedly at the forefront of driving innovations that enable us to evolve and grow as both individuals and as a society. NCR has a proud history of continuous innovation over the last 130 years, a number of which would simply not have been possible without the creative legacy of the candidates that we honour today."

Dundee-based artist and illustrator Suzanne Scott, who works under the name WhimSicAL LusH, has been commissioned to design the first 10 plaques. Suzanne has exhibited all over Scotland and her unique illustrations have featured in widely sold prints, stationary, mugs and jewellery.

Suzanne said: ""I am beyond delighted to have been asked to be a part of this exciting and interesting project. To have my work be part of the Dundee Waterfront is such an honour. I was born in Dundee and came back to live here 15 years ago. I never left as it is a beautiful and inspiring city, which I am proud to live in."

The Discovery Walk project is being steered by a group comprising representatives of Dundee City Council, Abertay Historical Society, Abertay University, University of Dundee, Dundee Science Centre and Axis Shield Diagnostics.

The group hopes to be able to raise further funding to extend the Walk with more plaques in the future.

Urban planning is like "real-life SimCity" to the man who is spearheading Dundee’s waterfront development

Like so many students in Dundee, Mike Galloway immediately left town after earning his degree from Dundee University. His next 18 years as an urban planner included various stints in Glasgow, London and Manchester before eventually returning to Dundee, where he is now working to create a community that will encourage more of today’s graduates to stay put.

Homes for young professionals are currently among the top priorities for Mike, who has been spearheading Dundee’s massive £1 billion waterfront redevelopment since its inception in 1997. With anchor projects such as the V&A design museum and a new railway station now coming out of the ground, he wants to channel further investment into offices, creative space, hotels and housing.

"We need flats for young professionals filling the growing number and variety of jobs available, so they don’t feel they have to leave to pursue their career or have the lifestyle they desire," he says.

"I got all of that out of my system, but I would like to make the decision easier for today’s graduates to either come back or even stay in Dundee."

Raised in Glasgow’s east end, his family later moved to Perth, he says he had no particular ambitions at school, but was eventually drawn to town planning because it’s like "real-life SimCity".

Ironically, he prefers the series to Minecraft, whose local connections include Dundee tech entrepreneur Chris van der Kuyl’s 4J Studios, which worked on console editions of the outrageously popular 3D cuboid game. Last year, 4J Studios also released a Minecraft version of what Dundee’s waterfront will look like when the regeneration project is complete.

"I don’t actually rate Minecraft, but of course the links to Dundee, and what they’ve done with the waterfront project, are fantastic."

www.dundeewaterfront.com