Dollar Summer School is a mainstay of the arts calendar in Clacks.

Founded 56 years ago by art teacher Adam Robson and Oscar Goodall, originally as a spin off from adult evening classes held at the Academy, its brilliant innovation was to set an intensive week long art holiday in one of the most picturesque villages and exhilarating landscapes in the Central Belt.

I spoke to Jane Carberry, polymathic administrator of this inspiring institution, and John Carberry artist, lecturer and director of the School.

Many years ago, as a higher art pupil at Alva Academy preparing my portfolio for art school, I received a bursary to attend the summer school.

I studied life drawing under Lys Hansen and landscape from Oscar Goodall, two highly respected artists still actively painting and continuing to make waves. Jane and John told me of the many changes since then.

Rather like an extended family, many attendees have been returning over decades. Those who have graced the hall of fame, which incidentally is a moveable space having started at the main academy, then Strathdevon primary then the Academy primary and now back at the Academy in the purpose built art annex Maguire building, include the late Jack Knox, Elizabeth Blackadder, Barbara Davidson, Richard de Marco and Alastair Strachan to name a few.

Amongst the students are those who have gone on to have successful artistic careers too.

Visitors eager to sample the vagaries of Scottish weather alongside the consistent thoroughness of a Scots’ training in drawing, painting and more have relished in this genteel boot camp, which still boasts a demanding schedule of full day quality tuition with evening teaching sessions.

The motto ‘ Work hard, play hard’ is not out of place; students enjoy a rigorous line up of apres-sketch sessions which include a quiz night, a formal dinner and the unique sound and vision evening where the tutors showcase their work to selected music.

The line up of tutors is impressive too. Peter Russell, who has worked in Clacks for many years is a stalwart of the school and runs the mixed media course, always highly popular with students. There is inspiration here for everyone.

Nicola Carberry literally grew up as an artist at the summer school environment, first attending as a teenager nearly 30 years ago, and now lecturing the life drawing, having taken the reins from her longstanding mentor Lys Hansen.

Amongst the other lecturers is Joe Davie, who is introducing a printmaking course this year.

Those attending come from all corners of the British Isles and further afield, too, including France and Canada. There are still some places available, contact Jane at the school, which runs this year from 4-10 July with an exhibition open to the public of students work, tutors work and invited artists. I’m keeping quiet for now about the invited artist who will open the annual exhibition on the 10th though.