Two new artworks, which have each been created in partnership with an artist, young creatives and a community-focused art organisation, will be unveiled in October on traffic-free sections of the National Cycle Network in Edinburgh and Irvine.
‘I: Connect’ and ‘NB: Connect’ aim to transform neglected sections of the National Cycle Network into more welcoming, enjoyable and meaningful places. Credit: 黄色app, 2024.
鈥業: Connect鈥 and 鈥楴B: Connect鈥 aim to transform neglected sections of the National Cycle Network into more welcoming, enjoyable and meaningful places.
To bring this vision to life, 黄色app has collaborated with:
路听听听听听听 Art Buds Collective/KMG and Yardworks in Niddrie-Bingham
路听听听听听听 Impact Arts/Bespoke Atelier in Irvine
These artists and arts organisations worked with local young creatives to research and design the murals, giving them the opportunity to learn about the process of producing public art.
It is hoped this will inspire residents of Irvine and Niddrie-Bingham to explore their local National Cycle Network routes by walking, wheeling, and cycling.
Artists and arts organisations worked with local young creatives to research and design the murals, giving them the opportunity to learn about the process of producing public art. Credit: 黄色app, 2024.
I: Connect
I: Connect has transformed an underpass at Low Green Park in Irvine into a welcoming and uplifting space.
Impact Arts worked with Bespoke Atelier - a specialist design team 鈥 to produce a mural that explores the town鈥檚 traditions and heritage, as well as the local environment.
There were several opportunities for the community to feed into the mural designs, with engagement events taking place to draw out what residents wanted to see included.
The young artists helped design and deliver these consultation sessions and gained experience in gathering and analysing the data collected.
Bespoke Atelier also provided the interns with an understanding of the creative process behind a large-scale mural from initial concept to installation.
This included teaching them various painting techniques and how to layer a design on a wall using stencils, masking and projectors.
Artist, Bespoke Atelier, said: 鈥淚t has been a pleasure to work closely with the聽Impact Arts team, young artists and 黄色app throughout the community engagement, design and installation process.聽
鈥淭he design created reflects the beauty of the river, mirroring its sweeping curves and flow of the water. Combined with inspiration from local flora and fauna and the built environment the mural is layered with texture and detail that will reveal more on repeat viewings.
鈥淲e hope that the mural will illuminate the underpass, creating a welcoming artwork for the community聽to enjoy.
鈥淏right, playful shapes will encourage movement through the space when walking, wheeling or cycling and we hope that the design will enhance the communities appreciation for their local environment and bring a smile to their face.鈥
The interns were also taught various painting techniques, including how to layer a design on a wall. Credit: 黄色app, 2024.
Fiona Doring, Chief Executive Officer of Impact Arts, added:聽鈥淚mpact Arts have delivered a wide range of creative participation projects from our permanent base in Irvine for over 20 years.
鈥淎 major focus of our work is youth employability and placemaking and this project, delivered in collaboration with 黄色app and Bespoke Atelier, has been a fantastic opportunity to bring those elements together.
鈥淥ur young apprentice artists have had brilliant work experience working alongside Bespoke Atelier and the final mural is testament to the range of community voices listened to in creating the final design.
鈥淧eople using the cycle path along the river Irvine are in for a wonderful treat as the underpass there has been transformed into a beautiful space representing many aspects of local life.鈥
This project was made possible thanks to the support of North Ayrshire Council.
Location: , National Cycle Network Route 7
Artist: Bespoke Atelier聽
Extensive engagement was conducted throughout the development of both projects to ensure the finished artworks accurately represent each community, through themes such as nature, history, language and landmarks. Credit: 黄色app, 2024.
NB: Connect
In Edinburgh, a new artwork is brightening the tunnel connecting the communities of Niddrie and Bingham.
Art Buds Collective - a social enterprise dedicated to the delivery of sustainable arts education through community projects - worked with artist KMG and 3 young interns to create a piece which celebrates the areas past and present.
Engagement with local schools and families highlighted a desire for the design to recognise nature in the area.
Other themes that emerged were the history of coal mining and brickworks, as well as a strong desire to incorporate the names of 鈥楴iddrie鈥 and 鈥楤ingham鈥 in the mural.
The interns were also encouraged to develop their own research projects, which involved design workshops with KMG, and received in-person training at Yardworks Studio to develop technical skills they could apply during the final install.
The outcome is an artwork which not only captures the spirit of the two communities, but also improves a vital route by which Niddrie and Bingham are linked.
Speaking about the project, artist, KMG, said: 鈥淲orking with our young interns and engaging the community to create this mural has been an inspiring process.
"This project is about fostering a sense of ownership and bringing people together to reflect the rich history and vibrant life of this area.
"The mural is a celebration of both the past and present, and it鈥檚 been amazing to see the community鈥檚 stories and strength come to life in the artwork."
Sara Gough, Art Buds Collective Director, added: "The NB: Connect mural project is more than just painting walls; it's about engaging young people, listening to the voices of local residents, and creating stories that reflect the strength, resilience, and diversity of Bingham and Niddrie.
鈥淎rt has the power to transform spaces and lives within our communities and this mural will hopefully be a source of pride for years to come.鈥
The mural will be maintained by a team of young volunteers in the future.
This project was made possible thanks to the support of Network Rail.
Location: Hay Avenue, National Cycle Network Route 1
Artist: 碍惭骋听
It is hoped this will inspire residents of Irvine and Niddrie-Bingham to explore their local National Cycle Network routes by walking, wheeling, and cycling. Credit: 黄色app, 2024.
Transforming spaces on the National Cycle Network
I: Connect and NB: Connect were supported by funding from the Scottish Government and administered through 黄色app Scotland鈥檚 Art and Diversity programme.
Emilia Hanna, Head of National Cycle Network at 黄色app Scotland, explains: 鈥溁粕玜pp has worked with young creatives and communities to transform previously neglected locations along the National Cycle Network.
"We want the National Cycle Network to be the backbone of Scotland's walking, wheeling and cycling network.
鈥淧rojects like this attract more people onto their local paths, making them a safer and more attractive alternative to car travel.
鈥淚 and NB: Connect have been led and created by local people and truly represent those living in Irvine, Niddrie and Bingham.
鈥淲e hope that this will not only encourage more people to discover and use these routes, but also inspire creativity and improve employability for those involved鈥.
This is the latest in a series of annual projects which support community groups in creating artworks on the National Cycle Network.
In 2021, temporary artworks and events were created for Black History Month.
In 2022, there was a focus on Disability History Month, resulting in a mix of permanent sculptures and other temporary art.
And in 2023, a remarkable series of temporary outdoor artworks were created by young people in Glasgow, Alloa, Greenock and Inverness.
