AN Inverclyde arts charity gave locals a chance to try their hand at stone carving and make their own mark at a Greenock glen.
RIG Arts recently ran a series of sessions to design new sandstone waymarkers which are set to be installed at Auchmountain Glen.
The free sessions ran for a week at the Auchmountain Glen Project Hall, with many budding stone masons trying their hand at carving for the first time.
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RIG Arts chief executive Karen Orr told the Tele that she hoped the project added to the already impressive array of art on display at the glen.
She said: “This project is called Inside Out and is all about trying to connect people with Auchmountain Glen.
“It’s funded through Creative Scotland’s Inverclyde Culture Collective which has been running since 2021.
“This is the second part of the project where all the ideas and things from consultations are now physically going to go in the glen.
“Alan Potter, who is the artist in residence, is going to make benches and possibly a sculpture if the budget stretches.
“It’s linking back to concepts and ideas that were developed last year through working with Auchmountain Glen Women’s Group, the Friends of Auchmountain Glen Project and the Auchmountain Project.
“People have been coming in to watch the work and we’ve also had a few residents take part.
“It’s been a real collaboration and the six waymarkers will go in to mark distance up the glen.”
The stone carving workshops are the latest in a series of projects run by RIG Arts to improve the glen.
The group lit the glen up for Christmas last year and invited the community in for a programme of festive events.
They have also provided free workshops to gather ideas for public art and played a part in installing the archway at the entrance to the site, alongside the Auchmountain Glen Group.
Karen added: “It’s really important that people are able to put their own stamp on the Glen, placemaking is so important.
“It’s an area that’s really loved and cherished and it’s so good for people to be making memories and taking part in making the artworks.
“It builds social cohesion and it brings people from outwith and within the area to the Glen and highlights what an amazing natural space it is for Inverclyde.
“The nature theme has persisted through our projects here, we did the arch a while back too and it was squirrels and toads that people were making.
“Green space is so good for health and wellbeing and this is a great way to encourage people to go to the glen.”
While some of those who came along to the workshops were well-versed in stone carving, others, like Greenock woman Lizzie Donnachie, were trying it for the first time.
She said: “It’s been really enjoyable.
“It’s a totally different practice, getting used to using the tools has been great.
“The tutors and the artists who are doing it have been amazing and the knowledge they’re passing on has been great.
“I looked up stone carving workshops across Scotland and in a lot of places it’s sold out and can be quite costly.
“Being able to do this for free is a brilliant opportunity.
“I use the glen myself and it’s nice to see it continually evolving through the regeneration.
“It’s all new and it’s all exciting, it was a unique experience.
“The glen is such a brilliant wee oasis for all of us, it’s special to be part of it and see the work to maintain it continuing.”
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