As part of our 'Country Parks for the Future' program, there is an opportunity to create exciting artwork which is fun for people of all ages and abilities. These pieces of artwork will be commissioned as different parts of the park are refreshed and over time will link together to form an art park trail.
Remembering Together
A gathering space and art park installation will be created as part of the national Remembering Together program, creating a Covid memorial in each Scottish local authority area.
Working with representatives from groups most affected by the pandemic, an artist collaboration co-created designs for an artwork during 2022. Following consultation in early 2023 the gathering space is now in construction at the Beach area of Strathclyde Park.
Working in partnership with Greenspace Scotland we expect the finished piece to be launched in July 2024.
More information on this exciting project is on the Remembering Together page.
Rainbow Pavillion
The first artistic intervention installed in the park was the Rainbow Shelter, a large outdoor structure designed to host school groups outdoors. The project was prioritised in order to provide space for outdoor education during the period when the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions were at their tightest.
The Rainbow Pavillion contains transparent panels created by an artist from the screens of old phones and laptops donated by the public. Light refracted through the patchwork panes forms ever-changing patterns on the floor and walls of the pavilion echoing the movement of the water on the adjacent loch.
Artist in residence
The Artists in Residence initiative is part of our plan to create an art park in Strathclyde Country Park, with a trail linking pieces of artwork and features, and artistic interventions in our other country parks at Palacerigg and Drumpellier.
In 2023 we were pleased to work with two artists in residence, Gill White and Kathryn Hanna. Gill is a multidisciplinary artist working in art, design, and film. Her public art and participatory art projects actively encourage spending time in nature, and exploring the great outdoors by celebrating what makes a place unique.
Kathryn is a sculptor and socially-engaged artist who aims to make the arts accessible to all. She creates sculptures and art installations using various modern and traditional techniques including casting, laser cutting, woodwork, metalwork, stone masonry and letter cutting.
Arts Bothy
The first artwork created through the Artist in Residence programme was the Arts Bothy at the northern end of Strathclyde Loch.
The bothy provides an inspiring multi-use space for community and sporting activity, decorated by vivid artwork developed by Gill White developed during workshops in summer 2023, particularly with Lawmuir Primary School.
We are currently developing fundraising proposals for further artworks developed by Gill and Kathryn.
