I am delighted to welcome you to Forth Valley Open Studios 2011.

This is our second year, and I am pleased to say we have again had an excellent response from artists in the area.

The main idea behind FVOS is to establish particularly in the minds of the community a knowledge that artists and makers live and flourish among us, and that they make a valuable contribution to the cultural life of our community. Opening studios and workshops to the community is one of the best ways of achieving this end.

It is important that we in this central area of Scotland work together to consolidate the artistic and creative presence, and be accessible in the community.

The public, I know, respond enthusiastically to the opportunity to visit and talk to artists and makers; so I am especially grateful to all who support this idea and make the effort as a joint project between them and the artists and craftspeople.

Again this year we are pleased to support the charity, Opening More Doors. They will present in Blairlogie Village Hall an exhibition of work by day patients of Strathcarron Hospice, with, during it, a Wonderful Wednesday Evening, of music and entertainment. The whole proceeds will go to Strathcarron Hospice. Tickets are available from Kit Gow, at 01259 217511.

I wish everyone, both visitors and artists, a successful week. I am sure that you will join me in thanking the committee for much hard work on behalf of artists, makers and visitors to make this event happen.

I want to thank also Craig McKechnie for his invaluable support and for hosting our opening FVOS exhibition at his Delta Studios.

I cannot close without acknowledging here generous help in setting up FVOS which we have had from the late David Murton, former chairperson of Perthshire Open Studios, who died in March this year.