Showcase for Camelon's creative Canal Connections

A virtual reality music video created by Camelon’s Freedom of Mind Choir will be unveiled as well as an art installation made by students from Falkirk’s Canal College.

The showcase follows a summer of creativity which saw members of the local community engaged in a variety of activities, from song writing and sign making to film making and sculpting.

The project is part of the Falkirk Canal Connections initiative, supported by the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund.

Locals have been working closely with charity Artlink Central and a team of artists to help get creative while shining a spotlight on climate change.

Director of Artlink Central, Kevin Harrison said: “The summer project has provided a myriad of new opportunities for local people to get creative, get active, make new social connections and learn new skills on their doorstep.

“It has been great to see the pride and love locals have for their community shine through these interactions.

“We’re looking forward to sharing the results with the wider Falkirk community at the Falkirk Wheel this Friday from 1pm, as well as giving them a chance to try out our VR kit for themselves from 3.30pm.”

Friday’s centrepiece will be a wooden art installation, entitled ‘The Sticks’, created by over 30 students from Falkirk’s Canal College to celebrate the 200th anniversary of The Union and Caledonian Canals – with support from Innovate Rural, Scottish Canals and Sustrans.

Sarah Frood from Innovate Rural said: “The art piece is made from reclaimed wood from an old pavilion and is a great an example of what can be achieved through collaboration.

“The team had the task of developing, designing and making something new from existing parts.

“’The Sticks’ sits alongside the cycle routes and will provide a viewpoint and stopping place for cyclists and walkers visiting The Falkirk Wheel.”

Friday will also see the premiere of a 360-music video, created by Freedom of Mind Choir mental health choir with the support of Camelon Arts, VR specialists Produced Moon and singer-songwriter Matt Hickman of Brownbear.

Aniela Piasecka from Camelon Arts said: “We’re thrilled to present a new collaborative VR film made with the local Freedom of Mind choir and young people from the Falkirk area.

“The groups have been so creative, expressive and engaged. We’ve all learned a lot together throughout the process.

“Matt Hickman from Brownbear along with Kim Edgar, the choir leader, have created a beautiful song with the choir members that we hope will encourage people to think more about the climate emergency and the things we can do to help ‘save the world’.

“The choir members and local young people created the accompanying visuals to the song. They worked with real care and attention during both sessions which was really energising to see.”

Signs created by the local community in conjunction with Camelon Arts and Innovate Rural will also go on show, before being shared across the area.

Artist Johnathan Elders, who led the sign-making sessions, said: “Everyone taking part in the workshops was given the freedom to create any sign they wish. It has been lovely to see what they have come up with.

“We’ve had some great signs made by Go Forth and Clyde, Tamfourhill Community Hub and Forth Valley Sensory Centre expressing positivity and pride in these great local facilities.

“We’ve also had mums from the NHS Forth Valley Thrive to Keep Well programme making really nice signs for their wee ones and Canal College students expressing what matters to them from quotes to environmental issues.

“A big part of the workshops was designing the signage using computer aided design (CAD) software. We wanted to introduce this skill and take the pressure of people who might not have felt so confident in their drawing abilities, so they could focus on their ideas.

“We’ve had a great response to the project, with many more community groups looking to get involved.”

For further information or to get involved please contact [email protected]