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.
Symbolic Figures from Clay with artist Linda Macleod
A series of workshops making small symbolic sculptures to represent our own ideas of ‘Guardian/Protector’, and also to represent ‘Self’. These two ideas can relate to each other and potentially form a duo. We will spend time together in discussion in order to find something that has personal meaning for us. Simple quick demonstrations will be given online to show the possibilities of the clay and how to keep it strong. Support will be given on the best and easiest forms to make, and tips will be given on painting and collaging the figures.
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 pack of clay, PVA glue and paints 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. You will be invited to fill in an optional Participant Survey.
Linda Macleod is an artist from Edinburgh who has lived on Lewis for 10 years. She has a degree in Drawing & Painting from Edinburgh College of Art, and an MSc in Community Education from Edinburgh University. Linda’s art is inspired by being part of nature, however she uses the figure often in her work, and is currently exploring ideas of the landscape embedded in the body. Her art tends towards the symbolic, and sits in between abstract or representational. Her other ongoing themes are Layers of my Life, and Towers to God, encompassing both the personal and the spiritual.
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.
