Arts and sculpture trails are being brought to life

Inspirational work will begin soon to bring heritage and arts sculpture trails to life.

Trails and Tales is set to open in East Dunbartonshire in March, writes Olivia Dobson.

The arts and heritage learning programme is being created by the East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust (EDLC), the programme unites artists groups and residents to celebrate the area’s local history.

One of the art works to be installed at Kilmardinny
House in Bearsden

The trails will engage people with local stories whilst illuminating the past in East Dunbartonshire as they walk.
Ideas for a series of trails have grown from the heart of communities – including Twechar, Torrance, Milton of Campsie, Lennoxtown, Lenzie, Kirkintilloch, Bishopbriggs and Auchinairn, Baldernock and Bearsden, Westerton and Milngavie.

Work will begin in the New Year to create 40 artworks – including a mixture of sculptures, heritage films and artworks attached to existing buildings and structures – along 11 trails.

Examples include a unique tree installation at Kilmardinny House, replicating a Lennox Castle window at Lennoxtown Community Hub, and film projections at Kirkintilloch Town Hall and Bearsden Community Hub.

Film projections will take place at Kirkintilloch Town Hall

Provisional foundation works are taking place in this month and in January, with trails due to be completed by March.
With 13 artists contributing to the programme, Sandy Marshall the chair of the EDLC Trust, said: ‘I am delighted that so many people from local communities have been helped to engage with artists in new and innovative ways.

‘The heritage learning is also very apparent, particularly in the school environment with teachers applying some of the artists’ practices to their own teaching methods.’

The 13 artists working with Trails and Tales are: Alex Allan, Doug McLeod, Elpida Hadzi-Vasileva, Graeme Roger, Katja Larsson, Marion Smith, Rachel Barron, Rachel Mimiec, Roddy Buchanan, Simon Whatley, Toby Paterson and Trevor Cromie.
Visit www.trailsandtales.org or e-mail info@trailsandtales.org or more information on the routes and artists.

Other Trails and Tales projects include women’s history, stone carving, metal forging and photography.