Tullibody Civic Centre will benefit from artwork designs from a class of Portfolio Preparation students at Forth Valley College.
The 10 strong class - Kayleigh Boyle, Lucy Croy, Hassan Khan, Lisa Paterson, Stacy Risk, Lauren Dawn Stuart, Kaela Taylor, Dean Ward and Ciara Waugh - based at the FVC Falkirk Campus and supported by Creative Industries lecturers Angie McLaren and Lesley McDermott, were asked to design window murals for a connecting tunnel at the Centre with a sporting theme and showing the River Forth.
Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSI) awarded grant funding from the Community Justice Youth Diversion Fund to pay for the students’ art materials for the project – which will also see the Portfolio Preparation students showing off their work at an exhibition of course work at the centre from Tuesday 7-Tuesday 21 June.
The launch night of the free exhibition on Tuesday 7 June will take place from 7.30pm-9pm, and from then on the general public are welcome to view the artwork from 9am-5pm (Monday to Friday opening hours) in the centre.
Student Ciara Waugh (20) from Larbert, said: “We were asked to create designs for the perspex windows of the tunnel connecting the centre with the sports hall, which had become a bit grotty over time. I enjoyed being involved in a live art project such as this which really benefits us.”
Classmate Kaela Taylor (19) from California in Falkirk, added: “We did the sketches for the artwork that now goes along the length of the tunnel. It has a sports theme and makes use of colour and design at the same time. I have enjoyed working on the project.”
Lecturer Angie McLaren, said: “The class have experimented and developed ideas using a range of art and design materials. They worked as a team throughout the planning and implementation of the creative project and both their creative and organisational skills have been outstanding. This certainly won’t be the last you hear from these talented students.
“Colour and pattern can have positive effects on people’s wellbeing using bold and uplifting colours with shapes inspired by the centre and its history. Students have created a walk through vibrant contemporary design, which hopefully lifts moods and creates a talking point.
“Thanks must go to Janette and her team at the Tullibody Civic Centre and the team at CTSI for giving them the opportunity to showcase their portfolios and to work on a live project. The experience is invaluable to their development as young artists of the future.”
Janette McGowan Chairperson for the Tullibody Community Development Trust, said: “The students involved came along to the Heritage Centre here at the Centre and met with Chris our History Group chairperson and looked at the historical displays. The students have developed their own individual portfolios and we can't wait to see them displayed around our Centre during the Open Evening Exhibition staring on Tuesday 7 June. It is open to everyone in the community and will also be open during centre’s opening hours.
“As I write, the students and lecturers are adding the finishing touches to the mural they've designed in our sports tunnel leading to the sports hall. We can't wait for the reveal! We'd like to thank Anthea at CTSI for awarding us grant funding from the Community Justice Youth Diversion Fund to purchase the art and design materials, and of course Angie, Lesley and Leigh for their support in this youth project. We hope it will be the first of many more to come.”
Community police officer Leigh Allan said: “I will be attending in my own time on launch night and pay it a well-deserved visit. Well done for putting on the exhibition it will mean a hell of a lot to all involved!”
