STIRLING’S REMEMBERING TOGETHER PROJECT SHOWCASED AT COLLEGE

The artistic team behind the project pictured at the launch at Forth Valley College.

Community groups, local organisations and artists gathered at Forth Valley College on 5 September to mark the culmination of Stirling’s Remembering Together Covid Memorial Project.

The event showcased a selection of the creative outputs of the two-year initiative in a moving exhibition.  It also marked the launch of an illustrated book and the premiere of a commemorative film documenting the project’s journey.

Grace Turner who brought her dance expertise to the project.

Led by Scene Stirling and dance artist Saffy Setohy, the project invited community members from across Stirling to participate in and co-create a series of creative activities and events. The initiative, which is part of Scotland’s national Covid Community Memorial Programme, encouraged people to reflect on the pandemic’s impact while fostering hope and healing through creative expression.

Over the past two years, the project has brought together participants from all walks of life in acts of reflection and celebration that ranged from collaborative artwork to intergenerational celebrations.

Kevin Harrison, Manager of Scene Stirling, expressed his pride in the project: "It’s been an honour to be a part of this community centred project. Working collaboratively with our Remembering Together artists Saffy Setohy, Lorna Swinney and Orla Stevens, as well as a dedicated team of local creatives, partners and community organisations has been incredibly rewarding.

“From transforming a children’s library space into an interactive installation, to an intergenerational celebration in a Plean care home’s walled garden, this creative journey has connected communities across Stirling in truly special ways. It’s been an absolute privilege to see so many people come together in moments of joy, reflection and creativity."

Illustrations from the book by Orla Stevens.

The project included a wide range of creative endeavours, from recording audio stories that captured the beauty and solace of winter and the resilience of communities in rural Stirlingshire to hosting a lively, Beltane inspired street party in Cornton, that celebrated local green spaces through dance, music, craft and storytelling.

As well as holding collaborative craft and movement workshops involving adults with learning disabilities and local primary school children in Riverside, connecting with their local plant life.

Stirling Provost Elaine Watterson highlighted the enthusiastic participation in the project by communities.

She said: "It’s been wonderful to see Stirling’s communities embrace this creative arts project, coming together in acts of reflection, remembrance, hope, and healing.

“Not only has it honoured those who lost their lives to COVID-19, but it has also provided an important opportunity for individuals and communities to share their experiences of the pandemic.

“The book and film, which document the project’s journey, are a lasting testament to these efforts."

The project’s main creative activities were influenced by the Celtic Wheel of the Year, working with the seasons to explore themes of life, change and renewal through all of our senses.

Lead artist Saffy Setohy, who guided the project, reflected on its achievements: “When we began this project in 2022, it felt as if we were still living in the shockwaves of the pandemic.

“People were grappling not only with loss, but also with a sense of disconnection from time, space and their bodies. We’ve uncovered so much in our conversations with communities, from the solace that nature offered during the pandemic to new rituals that emerged in response to isolation and change.

“Through workshops and creative gatherings, we’ve explored themes of care, healing, and regeneration. We’ve embraced the cycles of life and death, the seasons, and the importance of intergenerational connection – all of which were deeply affected by the pandemic.

“What we’ve created and experienced together is not static but living, an ongoing reflection of our collective journey. The beautiful book designed and illustrated by Orla Stevens and the poetic film created by Sean Hall will serve as lasting legacies, inspiring others to continue this exploration of creativity, nature connection, and community."

To find out more about the project and to view Sean’s film, visit www.scenestirling.com Free copies of Orla’s book are available upon request, email info@artlinkcentral.org , or can be downloaded from the project website.

Commissioned by Greenspace Scotland and supported by the Scottish Government, Stirling’s Remembering Together project was part of a national initiative to co-create collective acts of reflection and healing across Scotland’s 32 local authority areas.

In Stirling, Scene Stirling (managed by Artlink Central) led the local project with an artistic approach rooted in ritual, embodied practices and nature, recognizing the pandemic’s profound impact on people’s lives and their connection with the world around them.