Impact Arts

A new Creative Pathways project for young people in the
East End of Glasgow has kicked off with an explosion of creativity – and plenty
of planning for environmental themed public art in the north of the city.

15 participants – all aged 16 and 17 – will be working with our
artist tutors until the end of November to design, develop and create a
significant sculptural project for the canal side in north Glasgow.

With support and funding from Our Bright
Future, the Big Lottery Fund, Skills Development Scotland, Inspiring Scotland, the Scottish
Children’s Lottery and Scottish Canals, the group will be developing their creative talents while working with Impact
Arts staff to strengthen skills that will prepare them for employment, education
or training.

The project has got off to a flyer, with
stacks of incredible work produced! A stand-out piece is this Glasgow Skyline created out of bottle caps,
paint chip samples and plywood. Not only is the work beautiful but – fitting
with the environmental theme of the project – it uses discarded objects
creatively while highlighting the issue of pollution in the city.

The ultimate aim of the project is to
develop site-specific sculptures for the Claypits, an area of land in Possil which is undergoing regeneration. With this in mind, the group
have been spending time in Alexandra Park, gathering materials and discussing environmental
sculpture.

Over the coming weeks, the team will work
together to plan projects while thinking about form, structure and materials.
They will also learn about photography, product design and 3D printing.

The Claypits, situated by the Forth and
Clyde canal, is the former site of a brick factory that had its heyday during the
industrial revolution. The area is now a prime site of urban green-space, and home to an array of plant and animal species.

The space is being developed to include a
pathway and nature walk, which is where the Creative Pathways team’s sculptures
will be installed. This work is in fitting with the ethos of the UK-wide Our
Bright Future movement, which supports projects helping young people lead
environmental change in their area.

The team are looking forward to working
with other creatives, including Glasgow Sculpture Studios, to help produce large scale, professional work designed by the participants. The
team will also make field trips to Jupiter Artland, a sculptural tour of
Glasgow and to the archives department at the Mitchell Library. It promises to
be an exciting and enlightening ten weeks…