Sunflowers for Gillian: Carrick Academy Pupils Help CompleteFinal Stage of Alloway Tunnel Mural
Art and Design pupils from Carrick Academy in Maybole took part in a school residency mural art workshop to help complete the final stage of the Alloway Tunnel Mural.
Sponsored by the North Carrick Community Benefit Company(NCCBC), pupils were given an amazing opportunity outside of their normal curriculum to work alongside a professional artist for a week.
Chris Rutterford is an acclaimed mural artist who has already worked with over 2,500 people from the Ayrshire community to create one of the largest murals in Scotland. It has taken three years to complete and is a fantastic art installation representing Ayrshire history with a focus on the work of Robert Burns.
The theme for the school workshop was sunflowers. Chris Rutterford explains the story behind this vision: “Over the past few months I have been painting portraits into the mural. Some of these have been of loved ones in the Last Train to Butlins section of the mural.. One of the most poignant portraits I was asked to do was of Gillian Robb. Gillian was a farmer’s wife and sheep breeder. She was an artist and art teacher and her family say she would have loved the tunnel.
Gillian Sadly lost her battle with cancer in July last yearat the age of only 39 and is sorely missed by her family. They specifically requested a personalised portrait with two of her flock of Dutch Spotted sheep.
Carol, Gillian's mum, told me at a ‘Meet the Artist’ event that she particularly loved sunflowers and was always painting them - she asked if I could pop some in the mural. I thought given she was a teacher it was far more appropriate to get a school to help me create a vibrant, colourful canopy of sunflowers on the ceiling dedicated to Gillian. As it stands the vaults above the memorial portraits will be 40m long - a massive field of joy! It just seemed the right thing to do, not just for Gillian - it's going to give everyone a pang of joy .”
Sharon Turner, Principal Teacher of Art at Carrick Academy said, “I felt very fortunate to be part of such a rewarding and inspiring experience. Working closely with Chris and our talented pupils on this large-scale mural fostered creativity and teamwork, and it was wonderful to see heir talents truly flourish throughout. The project also made a meaningful and lasting contribution to the wider community. 140 children got involved bringing energy, creativity and teamwork to the project. It’s been fantastic to see our young people working alongside the artist helping to turn his vision into something really special. We cannot wait to see these absolutely brilliant artworks installed in the tunnel. It’s going to look incredible.”
The feedback from the pupils was excellent:
"It was a memorable and unique experience and great learning. Chris talked about things he is passionate about. Honestly eye opening to witness how projects like this are completed from brainstorming to execution" Charlotte S.
"It was nice and relaxing and fun to do. I'd defo love to do it again" Sevenna
"I learned that you don't need to get it all perfect. There was good teaching." Emelia
"Working as a group was the best part" Holly J
"Everyone worked really hard and tried their best" Sarah
"It was VERY good! Definately come back!" Mia
The artwork will be installed later in the summer, and the pupils will be invited along to see their work and get a guided tour of the whole mural.
There is one more mural art workshop to be completed. This will be held in the Robert Burns Cottage Education Pavillion between 2ndto 9th August and it is aimed at local amateur or professional artists who want to get involved in the final stage of the project.
Chris says: “The Gilding the Lily Workshop' is a special moment for us. A homecoming to the Burns Cottage Gallery where this started 3years ago. Back then the project was in its infancy. Now we are really there to put the cherry on top. So proud of what we have all achieved in this project.”
Local artists who wish to participate can find out more and book their free place in the workshop by contacting shelagh@allowaytunnel.onmicrosoft.com.
