Ex Tain Royal Academy pupil draws on art talent to help raise funds for Highland Hospice (while learning to dance in his spare time)
A FORMER Tain Royal Academy pupil with a flair for art is drawing on his talent for a bold new venture that puts Highland Hospice in the frame for a welcome boost.
James Mackenzie, a photographer who works for the Ross-shire Journal’s publisher Highland News and Media, is sashaying out of his comfort zone to take part in the annual fundraising Strictly Inverness dance competition.
Highland Hospice will benefit from the popular event.
As well as being a dab hand with a camera, Mr Mackenzie (27) enjoys sketching and is offering to produce portraits for anyone donating at least £10 to his JustGiving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/James-F-MacKenzie
He said: “I thought drawing would be a good idea for my fundraiser as I’m hopeless at throwing a party! You know, stick to your strengths. I’ve been drawing since primary school, but only saw decent improvement in my drawings when I started a ‘Draw every day for a year’ challenge in 2019.”
He studied under Andrew Douglas and Mike Cairncross at TRA.
Mr Mackenzie, who is new to dancing, is currently training three times a week in preparation for this year’s Strictly Inverness and is taking on the challenging rhumba.
All competitors have to undertake their own fundraising and secure a corporate sponsor in order to take part.
Although an annual competition, the Covid pandemic means 2022 will be the first time it has taken place for two years. Of the 32 competitors taking part this time round, most are new but a few were originally meant to have competed in 2020.
Dancers will be judged on their efforts in front of a live audience by a panel including Flavia Cacace, a professional who formerly appeared on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The competition will take play on May 18-21 at the Inverness Ice Centre.
