Just one more million, for art's sake

THE physical refurbishment of Glasgow's Kelvingrove art gallery and museum is finished, it was revealed yesterday, as an appeal for £1 million was launched to take the project on the last lap to completion.

In the past three years, Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden, the chairman of the Kelvingrove Refurbishment Appeal (KRA), has twisted the arms of big businesses, benefactors, the National Lottery and international trusts, to raise 29 million of the 30 million cost.

However, yesterday, he asked the citizens of Glasgow to come up with the final million to pay for returning the exhibits to create what will be the jewel in the city's crown and Scotland's biggest single visitor attraction.

Lord Macfarlane and the television presenter Carol Smillie, a KRA trustee, launched the campaign yesterday.

Posters and leaflets are to be distributed throughout the city, with the promise that those who donate will be immortalised on a roll of honour in the new entrance to the gallery when it reopens next summer.

In the cavernous interior of the magnificently restored gallery, Lord Macfarlane said: "We won't get a chance like this for another 100 years.

"The people of Glasgow are going to be impressed by something that is tremendously important to them, the city and to Scotland.

"We're on the last lap. We have achieved all targets on building and budget and this is the final chapter. We believe the people of Glasgow, and Scotland, will respond magnificently to be part of this wonderful legacy to the city."

Restoring Kelvingrove has been a mammoth undertaking, the biggest ever such project in Scotland.

When it reopens, it is expected to attract in the region of 1.5 million visitors a year.

Smillie, who comes from Glasgow and has a strong affection for Kelvingrove, said: "I came here as a child and on one very auspicious occasion, when I was 12, I took part in an art competition and was awarded a 'highly commended' place.

"It is a key part of my childhood. I went on to art school and I am passionate about art.

"Kelvingrove is magnificent and it's free. There is no city anywhere which has such a facility. You don't have to know anything. All you have to do it come along and look."

A delighted Alan Horn, the head of development for the KRA, said: "We felt a tremendous responsibility to do a very good job because this had been in the planning for 12 years.

"In the past three years, some of the biggest companies and trusts in the UK and the United States have contributed, most notably the 500,000 from the Royal Bank of Scotland.

"When you consider that the building had not been rewired since 1898, you have an idea of the scale of the job.

"Now, very soon, it will seen as it was meant to, the way the architect intended.

"And, incidentally, contrary to popular myth, he did not commit suicide because it was built 'back to front'. He apparently went on to design the towers of Wembley Stadium."

Mr Horn added: "Kelvingrove is unique - an astonishing legacy."

Donations to the Kelvingrove Refurbishment Appeal can be made by calling 0141 565 4135.