Net successfully cast for new Sinclair Bay 'safe harbour' art project
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Sinclair's Bay Trust artist in residence Shelagh Swanson has made a good start to her Safe Harbour project after staging a couple of events at the weekend.
With the theme of harbours, the residency kicked off with a collaborative community art piece called Safety Net, which celebrates what makes the Sinclair Bay area a safe place to live.
On Saturday Shelagh, who was touring around in her little red van, staged a pop-up workshop in Keiss with a few people coming along to take part in the first stage of the project.
"It was not busy, but it was a good start," said the local artist. "A family came and did some good work. Part of it is getting out and speaking to people."
Workshops held on Sunday at Reiss and Killimster Hall, and on Monday evening at Keiss Hall, produced some good quality work. "We had some good conversations," said Shelagh. "After Covid it is nice just to get a few people together for a blether. The net is growing."
The artist has already met with a couple of people keen to take the project forward. The finished piece of work will be put on display in the Sinclair Bay area.
Shelagh, a farmer’s daughter from Bower, graduated in 2004 from Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen with BA (Hons) Fine Art/Painting. After graduation she discovered a passion for glass, in particular fused glass, at the International Centre of Excellence, North Lands Creative.
Subsequent masterclasses and residencies in the UK and USA strengthened her knowledge of the medium. After 10 years establishing her artistic career in Aberdeen, she recently returned to Caithness where she creates work in both painting and glass from her rural studio.
Well known for her bold and expressive painterly aesthetic, her works are an emotional response to her surroundings.
Her role with the Sinclair's Bay Trust is to work with residents to explore the Sinclair Bay community identity, fostering new connections and supporting wellbeing.
She will work with participants in the area to explore their stories through a series of mixed media workshops and encourage them to share ideas and find connections.
The next workshop will be held in Reiss and Killimster Hall on Thursday, May 26, from 2pm to 4.30pm, with another one planned for Keiss Hall on Sunday, May 29, from 2pm to 4.30pm.
More information about the project can be found on the artist's website – https://www.shelaghswanson.com/safeharbour
