Bringing free arts and music activities to the community is an exciting project known as Art’n About Gala, led by Transform Arts CIC.
This collaborative project, funded by Energise Galashiels Trust, Scottish Borders Council, and South of Scotland Enterprise, is helping to transform the town’s cultural landscape and ignite a sense of creativity among local people and visitors.
Two popular events have already taken place – on Bank Street Gardens and another in shop spaces in Channel Street where a host of creative workshops have attracted people of all ages.
And even more creative workshops, installations and community events are planned in the coming days and weeks.
This includes three special artist placement projects with members of the community encouraged to get involved.
On Saturday, October 28, comes the Frankenstein Collage, an arts workshop for adults led by artist Emma Whigham. It offers lightning strike inspiration in the lead-up to Halloween at Untangled Yarns at 10 Channel Street.
Participants will explore photomontage and collage art, encouraging them to create unique characters and images. Just as Frankenstein constructed his monster from various body parts, this workshop invites attendees to assemble their characters from a mix of human, animal, or whatever sparks their imagination.
As the nights grow darker, Light: A Day of Creativity is set to bring light to the town.
On Saturday, November 4, from 10am to 2pm, two shops in Channel Street will host music and drop in arts activities for all ages. These include the chance to enjoy the magic of cyanotype paper, where participants can create images using UV light.
The event aligns perfectly with Bonfire Night, offering a fun blend of art and song. Participants can also craft lanterns using jam jars to add a cosy glow to their evenings.
Extraordinary Beasties – Community Mosaic with Joy Parker, is an exciting opportunity for adults to learn the ancient art of mosaic making. Participants will design and create small mosaics that will brighten overlooked spaces throughout the town.
It is being staged from November 18 to November 25, 10am to 3pm, at the town’s Focus Centre in Livingston Place.
For more information, or to book a place on one of the free workshops visit:Transform Arts CIC: www.transformartscic.co.ukGalashiels Heartland: https://galashielsheartland.org.uk/events/To email Transform Arts with ‘wee beastie’ pics and info: [email protected] orreach out via their social media channels at @transformartscic.