Recently as I’ve been working with Outpost Arts as their Public Art Lead, helping to direct and deliver a public art programme for their art journal graduates – a mixed group of adults and teenagers who had already taken part in Outpost Arts Art Journal project last year. Featuring a combination of digital and in person workshops, we’ve been building up to a collective artwork – creating a mural for The Willows, the home of NHS D&G’s children, young people and families services based in the Crichton grounds in Dumfries. Alongside Outpost Arts, we welcomed in young people accessing CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services) through their arts participation work to help us with designing and realising the final mural.

Workshops were designed to give participants an insight into the creative (and logistical!) process of creating a mural, from ideas gathering, to client feedback and dealing with practical planning, alongside building a bit of confidence to get everyone on board to help with the final paint, moving from sketchbook sized working to a big, playful space.

This last workshop took place at The Stove in February (thanks Stovies), and looked at stencilling techniques and nature themes.

We finished the mural over a four day painting marathon – and the space is now looking completely transformed, images of the final design to come after it’s official launch later this month.

Thanks to Kirstin McEwan for documenting this workshop, to all the team at Outpost and Alison at CAMHS for their support in bring this project into being.