Carving out arty talents

Jul 3 2009 by Stephen Robertson, Stirling Observer Friday

BEAUTIFUL mosaics, creative woodcarvings and colourful felt weaving – months of hard work by Gargunnock Primary School pupils is now on show for all in the village to enjoy.

The completed artwork was officially launched at the Gargunnock Community Centre where the woodcarvings and felt weaving are on display in the garden.

The school’s “Gargunnock Community Centre Art Project” began back in March with the setting up of an after school mosaic club.

Their first major piece of work was a beautiful mosaic entrance to the school, which the pupils worked on with artists in residence Jaine Marriott and Maggie McAllister.

The pupils produced their own artwork and helped put together the mosaic with Jaine and Maggie in the entranceway. The colourful mosaic includes images such as pencils, computer keyboards, love hearts, numbers, handprints and flowers.

The pupils also got creative with felt weaving and woodcarvings to produce public art pieces for the local community centre. This work was co-ordinated by parent Vanessa Paynton with the equipment and materials for the project bought with funding from a variety of sources and through donations by parent, teachers, staff and the local community.

Jaine Marriott, on officially opening the mosaic entrance, said: “The pupils should be very proud of their achievements, their hard work has transformed the school’s entranceway and given public art to the community.

“Thanks also go to the staff and everybody in the community who donated tiles and materials and for putting up with the disruption when the mosaic was being installed. But the biggest thank you goes to the children for producing such beautiful works of art for everyone to enjoy.”

Gargunnock Primary School’s Headteacher, Angus Black said: “We were delighted to have all our pupils and staff work in a really meaningful and creative way with the community project and look forward to further partnership opportunities in the future.”