You are warmly invited to join Timespan for the opening of the exhibition Red Herring by Joanne Coates and the launch of our 2025 summer season. Come together on March 29th from 5pm for a day of events set to celebrate the ongoing support from Creative Scotland and an exciting season ahead. We have organised a packed evening of arts and entertainment, with live music, food and fun for people of all ages!

Red Herring by Joanne Coates

Exhibition Opening
5pm

Timespan presents Red Herring a collaborative visual exhibition by artist Joanne Coates, exploring the legacy of the Herring Girls—a migrant female workforce central to the fishing industry between the 19th and 20th centuries. Through photography, playful ceramics, installation, archival images and objects, performance, and a newly co-created celebratory herring crown, Coates examines women’s labour, class solidarity, and the inequities that continue to shape working-class women’s lives today.

During her six-month residency at Timespan in Helmsdale, Coates worked closely with the local communities and conducted in-depth research into regional archives. A key part of the exhibition is a series of performances in which she reenacts the movements and routines of the gutting girls, drawing from fragmentary memories passed down through generations.

By reclaiming these histories, Red Herring highlights how working-class women’s labour has long been undervalued and overlooked. The exhibition invites us to question how these histories have been told, reconsider their significance, and reflect on the ongoing impact of class and gender inequalities in shaping our world today.

The exhibition is supported by Creative Scotland, The Highland Council Ward Discretionary Fund, and the Foyle Foundation.

With thanks to:
The children of Helmsdale Primary School, local artist Lamont, and jewellery maker Patricia Niemann for their incredible work. Christine, Shelly, Amy, Tessa, Dawn, Isla, Aileen, Rosa, Donna, Jamie, Tracey, Caroline, Jacquie, and Giulia—without whom this project would not have been possible.

A special thank you to the archives supporting this work with their collections:
Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archives, Waterlines Heritage Centre, Shetland Amenity Trust, North Carolina State Archives, Aberdeen City Archives, and The Johnston Collection.

Made in Helmsdale Choir
6:30pm
The evening continues with the Made in Helmsdale Choir performing some of the traditional Herring Girls songs.

Food and Drinks
7-8pm
Enjoy some delicious refreshment for £5 per person

Live Music and DJ Set
8pm onwards

The event is not over, as an exciting lineup of live music will keep the celebrations going. Don’t miss out on the performances by local young musicians and a free DJ Set by Ms.Niceboy.

From March 29th, Timespan will be open every day for the rest of the summer from 10-5 pm. We cannot wait to welcome you and celebrate together the incredible achievement of the past year and the exciting programme ahead!