Published: Wednesday, 19th December, 2007 08:30
Culture Minister impressed by artistic county
By Jamie MacDonald
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Culture Minister Linda Fabiani is impressed by the work of a young artist.
Pic by: David Robertson
TULLIBODY welcomed Culture Minister Linda Fabiani last week for the opening of a new art gallery.
Ms Fabiani visited Clackmannanshire one year after the area was granted Pathfinder status to see for herself what the prestigious award has meant for the county.
The visit included a small outdoor light show in Tron Court of ‘Tullibody from the Air’.
Ms Fabiani said, “The Scottish Government is committed to making sure that people throughout Scotland have access to our wonderful cultural heritage.
“This project in Tullibody is an excellent example of how local artists and traders benefit from working together while opening up exciting cultural activities for the whole local community.
“I’m delighted to see first hand today the new art gallery in Clackmannanshire and the excellent work that is taking place here in one of the 13 cultural Pathfinder projects we are supporting across Scotland.”
The Pathfinder award was given to the council’s Culture and Community Services to commission an Artist in Residence.
Digital Artist Kenny Bean has taken up that residence at 2 Tron Court, a former newsagents which has been converted into The Art Shop. Working in partnership with Tullibody Healthy Living Initiative, the shop has become a base for a wealth of arts and crafts activities attended by residents from across the county of all generations, experience and circumstances.
Kenny’s main task is to record and evaluate participants in the shop and he has now spent 50 of the planned 100 days on the project. His creative work with people, encouraging confidence and opinions has resulted in resident portraits and portfolios of their own photographic work, drawings made from working with light and film, enhanced DJ performance, and even aerial views of the town which have been used to encourage residents to have a sense of place.
Kenny has collaborated with Tom Murray, one of Clackmannanshire’s Writers in Residence and Bobbi Vetter, who was originally commissioned by the Tullibody Healthy Living Initiative to give arts and crafts classes.
The joint working of these three artists with the public has already resulted in a vast selection of art across all media, including a listening booth where visitors can hear local people telling local stories, children’s artwork that merges photography with painting and drawing, plans for video installation and even sketching walks.
The Minister also visited the Wee Gallery – a newly converted bus which is currently displaying a range of recent work. The exhibition includes work from Glasgow School of Art, Edinburgh College of Art, The Scottish Traditions of Dance Trust, Retro Glass, and many individual artists working in the area.
And Ms Fabiani concluded her short tour by visiting a tiny gallery newly opened to the public in nearby Delph Road. Appropriately named The Vessel, the space will be the council’s new ‘container’ for Scotland’s up and coming talent.
Bobbi Vetter said, “Ms Fabiani seemed impressed and surprised with the range of work and how widespread it is.
And Kenny Bean added, “She seemed very impressed with what the kids were doing and chatted away with them.
“We encourage everyone who is curious about being creative to come in, we try to help everyone and look for new things to explore.”
The Art Shop in Tron Court is open Mondays and Tuesdays from 11am until 5pm (adults 11-3pm, children 3-5pm) and Saturdays from 11am until 3pm.
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