Nairn artist unveiled as new artistic director for Universal Hall in Findhorn

A Moray venue has unveiled its new artistic director.

Universal Hall Promotions is delighted to announce that they have appointed Tanera Bryden as their new Executive/Artistic Director.

She will start work on July 1.

Tanera was Artistic Director of Nairn Book and Arts Festival and oversaw the festival programme and delivery of this popular annual event, now in its 23rd year. She has worked for the festival since 2012 and is passionate about the arts in all forms, from live music to dance, and theatre performance to visual arts.

Brought up in the Highlands, she studied Fine Art at Edinburgh University/Edinburgh College of Art and then European Fine Art at Winchester School of Art (Barcelona/Winchester). Tanera was a practising artist in London for 13 years, exhibiting and selling her work while working part-time, including in roles at the newly opened Tate Modern, then the Art Fund.

She moved back to the Highlands with her family in 2010 and lives just outside Nairn. Tanera has a lifelong love of Highland mountains, and enjoys skiing and hillwalking.

She said: “I’m delighted to be taking on this exciting role at Universal Hall Promotions, an organisation with an extraordinarily rich history and strong reputation.

“I certainly have big shoes to fill! I look forward to working with the wonderful team there, and seeing members of the local community – many of whom I already know – at the hall soon.”

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