
Supporting some of our most isolated island residents, An Lanntair has launched Creative Connections Lewis and Harris – a new series of online visual arts workshops, in Gaelic and English, for the Over 60s.
Funded and supported by Inspiring Scotland’s Creative Communities programme, Creative Connections Lewis and Harris provides creative and social online opportunities for older adults, with classes in painting, drawing, sewing, and textile-work now available to book – a perfect surprise gift to cheer up a friend or family member!
“Many communities have excellent provision in place to support the practical needs of older people, but with few community facilities open during this time of COVID-19 restrictions, many people living in remote areas are isolated,” said An Lanntair Education & Outreach Projects Manager, Moira Macdonald.
“Opportunities to be creative and chat with others are essential to maintain strong mental health and good quality of life, and our new range of online workshop provide a supportive group, a place where people can get to know one another, and enjoy positive creative experiences and conversation in the language of their choice.”
All starting in the last week of January and running for eight weeks, four fun, exciting and inspiring Creative Connections Lewis and Harris online workshops are now available to book:
– Inspiring Textiles with Pieter van der Werf
– Fabric Memory Books with Annabel Pattulo
– Home is where the Art is with Kate Temple
– Rannsachadh Ealain Lèirsinneach (Exploration into Visual Arts) with Sandra Kennedy – delivered in Gaelic
The workshops will be delivered online via Zoom. An Lanntair can lend participants a laptop if required (limited numbers), and our Project Co-ordinator Mark Jones is also on hand and happy to provide support with technical issues and set up ‘practice’ Zoom sessions to assist.
Creative Connections Lewis and Harris online workshops are FREE to attend, but spaces are limited, and booking is essential.
Creative Connections classes…
Fabric Memory Books with Annabel Pattulo
26 Jan – 16 Mar, 10am-11am
Participants will learn how to make a special fabric photo album, with the theme of your choice, and learn how to transfer your special photos onto fabric with tutor Annabel Pattulo.
Rannsachadh Ealain Lèirsinneach with Sandra Kennedy
27 Jan – 17 Mar, 10am-11am
Participants will be introduced to a new idea, technique, or material each week to enjoy an exploration of visual art and artists, both traditional and contemporary, delivered in Gaelic with Lewis-based artist Sandra Kennedy.
Inspiring Textiles with Pieter van der Werf
28 Jan – 18 Mar, 2pm-3pm
Focusing on textiles in the home, join Pieter van der Werf of Stiudio Orains to discover plant materials used to dye wool, learn the process of wet-felting, and create a felted wall hanging for your own home.
Home is where the Art is with Kate Temple
29 Jan – 19 Mar, 2pm-3pm
Taking inspiration from our homes and what we find around us, participants join artist Kate Temple in this weekly art workshop to create some experimental drawings and celebrate the domestic.