New school to house Highland 2007 art project

20th February 2008

The fruits of a visual arts project involving primary schools in Ross and Cromarty are to be given a home in the new Dingwall Academy when it opens later this year.

For 9 months, 276 pupils created 11 colourful and beautiful silk banners which will be hung in the Academy when it opens this summer.

From Tuesday 19th February the banners will be on show in the community gallery at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery for four weeks. Admission is free and the gallery is open Monday to Saturday. Previously the banners were exhibited in Highland Council~s headquarters and Dingwall Office and at Eden Court for the 2007 Showcase event.

The 11 schools that took part in the art project were: Conon Bridge, Dingwall, Ferintosh, Marybank, Maryburgh, Mulbuie, St Clements, Strathconon, Strathgarve, Strathpeffer and Tarradale Primaries.

In early 2007, head teachers of Dingwall Academy~s feeder primaries decided that they wanted each of their schools to produce a piece of artwork as part of the 2007 Highland Year of Culture celebrations and that the finished pieces would hang in the new Dingwall Academy building.

Garve-based visual artist Charlotte Mackenzie led the project. Each school received two workshops and used specialist materials to create a colourful two metre long banner displaying their school name, logo and the pupils~ drawings. The schools and Charlotte were all delighted with the results.

Charlotte Mackenzie said: "I have enjoyed working on this project so much and the results are absolutely amazing. All age groups were involved in the project including some nursery pupils. Everyone really enjoyed the project as it was something challenging that they had never done before and something that they worked on together as a team, creating a large piece of artwork that they are proud of."

Each school has been so pleased with their banner that they have asked Charlotte to return to the schools to complete second banners with the pupils which they can keep to display in their schools.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: "When the banners were on display at Council headquarters they attracted a lot of positive comments. I am delighted that this arts project which happened during Highland 2007 is providing a lasting legacy by being displayed in Dingwall Academy. I am also encouraged that the schools are building upon their creative experiences with Charlotte Mackenzie and that they are continuing their involvement in the arts."