Communal friendship bracelets
“I hope to create a sense of intrigue, magic and inspire some fun and games, connecting families with their outdoor physical surroundings, with the history of our community, each other and also others in the community.”
A burst of colour is brightening up a Glasgow housing estate as local families with young children weave ribbons into railings and fences to create a communal ‘friendship bracelet’.
Led by community artist Rebecca Fraser, this six-week ‘Big Inspirations’ project (Move and Make) aims to capture the imaginations of young children 0-5 in Tollcross, encouraging them outdoors to play, explore and connect with each other through the different artworks they create.
Nineteen local families with 26 children are taking part. Each week they receive creative art packs containing a different outdoor challenge and all the arts and craft materials they need to complete it.
Upcoming activities include creating tiny clay pottery sculptures, inspired by the history of the estate which is built on the site of Govancroft Pottery, creating a ‘rainbow brick road’ with coloured chalk and ‘toddler trails’ of biodegradable confetti for little hands to mark their daily walk with.
The project will culminate in a treasure hunt and creation of a toddler-height mural.
Rebecca hopes the community will connect with each other through the art that is being created, not just the children and families taking part but others, particularly older residents who have been isolated for so long.
Rebecca said: “Many families don’t have access to their own gardens so the outdoor space on their doorstep is very important.
“I hope these weekly mini adventures and trails will really appeal to families with very young children and help encourage them to get out and about with their little ones more often.
“I want to create a sense of intrigue, magic and inspire some fun and games, connecting families with their outdoor physical surroundings, with the history of our community, each other and also others in the community. There are a number of vulnerable or older residents who are self-isolating and love to see families playing outside. They feel as though It’s a gift for them.”
Rhona Matheson, Chief Executive of Starcatchers, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Make and Move. Rebecca’s project is one of five Big Inspirations commissions, all very different but all exploring ways of connecting with and inspiring our youngest children whilst they’re at home playing and learning together with their families.
“We recognise how important it is for families to have strong connections with their local community at this time and participating in arts activities can really help build these connections.”
Read more about Starcatchers Big Inspriations for Summer 2020 here.