Creative Connections is a series of free creative workshops for adults over the age of 60 in the Western Isles who feel isolated as a result of their circumstances – be it geographical remoteness, disability or any other disadvantage. If this applies to you, you can book any of our Creative Connections workshops. You can make a booking for a friend or family member if they are eligible and would like to take part.
Landscape in film and painting with artist Sandra Kennedy
Landscape is where we live and where our stories take place. It bears the marks and environments we create; and in our art shows what we care about as well as what stories we want to tell.
In our sessions we will look at contrasting artists from different places and eras working with landscape in painting and in cinema to tell us about a philosophy, a history or a story.
These studies of historic and contemporary artists will serve as a starting point for conversation, questions; and your own line of enquiry through drawing and painting.
We will look at artists Hokusai (1760–1849); Paul Nash (1889-1946) Sidney Nolan (1917-1992); Clint Eastwood as director (born 1930); Sarah Greenwood, film production designer (born 1960); Lisa Reihana, New Zealand (born 1964); Makiko Kudo (born 1978).
The sessions will be delivered via Zoom, and a link will be emailed to you. Please ensure that your address is correct on your An Lanntair account when booking. All you need is a device with an internet connection and a quiet space. If you don’t have a device you can borrow one from An Lanntair for the duration of the course – email moira@anlanntair.com.
You will receive a sketchbook and materials in advance of the first session. If you have materials left over from a previous Creative Connections course, or plenty of your own, please let us know.
The project is funded by the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. At the end of the courses you will be invited to fill in an optional Participant Survey.
Sandra Kennedy is an artist from Lewis. She studied sculpture and scenography (visual storytelling through performance). Sandra’s work is inspired by people and their relationship to places, and is especially interested in emotional attachment and stories connected with specific locations and sites. Sandra works from her home in Marvig, South Lochs. Sandra has taught a number of Creative Connections workshops since the project began during Covid lockdown. She said “Working on the Creative Connections project has been a brilliant idea for bringing people together under the umbrella of creative exploration. The regular weekly meetings have nurtured friendships, skills and enjoyment.”
Creative Connections aims to:
* Reduce loneliness in social isolated older adults in the Western Isles through regular creative and social online arts opportunities
* Improve mental health and wellbeing for isolated older adults through positive creative experiences and conversation
* Increase the number of opportunities for people to be creative and to develop visual arts skills.
Creative Connections is supported by the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund Year 5, administered by the Third Sector Interface Western Isles.
