Three award-winning artists are producing a series of new artworks that celebrates Falkirk’s unique urban environment as part of a residency with the Falkirk THI Project.
Working as RECOLLECTIVE, ALISON IRVINE, CHRIS LESLIE and MITCH MILLER are currently engaging local people to document the changes and improvements made to Falkirk Town Centre. Their work takes in landmark buildings such as Falkirk Steeple, shops and offices, and remembers buildings such as Aitken’s Brewery that are long gone. Recollective will be collecting stories, joining heritage tours, sketching, photographing and filming for an exhibition and publication that will be launched in early 2018. This will stand as a major document of Falkirk’s urban heritage, past and present.
With research well underway, Recollective have announced their first, free public engagement event at Howgate Shopping Centre taking place this Saturday 8th July from 12.30pm. This will be a way for the artists to introduce their work and meet local people who wish to share their experiences of Falkirk’s Town Centre.
Writer ALISON IRVINE will be on hand to speak with anyone willing to stop by and share their stories. While speaking with Alison illustrator MITCH MILLER will be on hand to draw their portrait – or, literally anything they might request! Falkirk THI staff will also be there to share information on the project and answer any questions about THI and its goals. The event will also intersect with a special tour of the THI area, taking place at 6.30PM.
JULIA BRANCH, THI Heritage Engagement Officer said, ‘Falkirk town centre has a rich history and a number of interesting buildings including the iconic Steeple. We hope that the work of Recollective will create conversations around the buildings and local history’.
MITCH MILLER of Recollective said, ‘Recollective are very excited to be working on this residency with Falkirk Community Trust. We’ve already been hugely impressed with the rich heritage of Falkirk’s town centre. We aim to offer a wide and diverse perspective, so will be going out to visit elderly residents, schools, youth groups and local societies –but we will speak with anyone who’s willing!
‘Recollective consists of a writer, a photographer/filmmaker and an illustrator – three different artforms, but a shared sensibility. We specialise in complex projects that document regeneration and the social changes it brings about from an independent point of view. We hope our work in Falkirk will build into a comprehensive document valued by the town and its people.’
Recollective will be working with Falkirk THI until March 2018 and would welcome any and all contributions. If you would like to take part to their project, please contact Julia Branch at julia.branch@falkirkcommunitytrust.org
