Creative Commissions are well underway

Bespoke Atelier, a design company based in Bridgeton, close to the Parkhead Hub, were appointed in 2023 through an open tender process to create new artworks for both the Hub’s entrance and children’s area. 

As experienced designers, they have previously created artworks for other NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde healthcare faciliites including health centre, specialist wards and hospitals.

They have also worked extensively in schools and communities across Glasgow. 

For Parkhead Hub's entrance, designs for a large scale, illuminated wall panel and the Hub's main reception desk are being created to welcome visitors. The designs will celebrate the rich textile and weaving heritage of the local area, and includes patterns from the archive of  the Stoddart - Templeton carpet factory at Glasgow Green. This was one of the largest production hubs of Parkhead's many weaving sheds. The artworks will be produced in a white marbled corian, with patterns cut out that will create an interesting palette of light and shade.

The artists have been working with lots of different communities in the area, including  Parkhead Saturday sewing group, Carntyne Women's Group, Rebecca Fraser Art Club, St Mungo's Academy and Glasgow Kelvin College. Everyone has had a great time participating in a wide range of design, textile and collage-based sessions 

You can watch our DIY collage activity. 

For the children's area, a feature wall will become a playful and engaging composition of shapes inspired by research into the local area. There will be points of local interest and interactivity for children of all heights and ages with patterns and motifs representing places of local interest, ideas and emotions. 

Bespoke Atelier said:

“We are confident we will create a welcoming, eye catching, unique artwork for the entrance of Parkhead Hub. Working with our team of designers, specialist fabricators and structural engineers we will provide an artistic solution with a high-end finish that will withstand the test of time”.
 

Creative activity is in full swing!

National Children’s Mental Health Week

Championing National Children’s Mental Health Week (5 to 11 February 2024), Claire McLachlin from the North East Health Improvement Team was keen to involve youth groups in developing Parkhead Hub’s commissions.  

Shettleston-based Fuse, The Glenburn Centre in Easterhouse and YoMo’s Calton group, worked with the artists to add to the design details for the specially created wall mural to be installed in the children’s area of Parkhead Hub.

Claire said: “The workshops were great fun with over 50 local young people taking part. The young people also made a wallpaper to be fabricated for their own youth club.”

One of the young people said: ““The heart I drew is about my friends and family as they care and look out for me. I love them and that’s something that’s important to me. I have enjoyed the workshops. I enjoyed painting and doing this.”
 

Martin O'Connor and Mental Health Network

Martin O'Connor, Glasgow based theatre-maker, performer and poet, ran a series of creative writing sessions with the Mental Health Network which finished at the end of January 2023.

For some members of the Network, it was the first time they'd tried their hand at writing and for others, they were able to hone existing skills. For everyone, it was a hugely rewarding and enjoyable experience. A publication of the groups collected writings is coming soon and work is also progressing for a creative mural to finish off the office’s refurbished reception area.

Rebecca Fraser and Social Prescribing Activity

Rebecca Fraser, local community artist, continues to work with local groups as a way to share information about the Hub as it develops but also address opportunities for local people to connect, socialise, learn new skills and have fun. 

When Rebecca was at Parkhead Forge with her Today Museum project in September 2022, she asked passers-by what messages they had in their shopping bags. Exciting and informative chats were then had with all kinds of interesting people. The results were displayed in words and pictures at The Schoolhouse and at The Forge. 

Rebecca has been running Play Café at The Charter in Tollcross and Art Club at Parkhead Nazerene since the start of 2024. She also supports ESOL classes which run out of Parkhead Nazarene. All of these activities are linked together through a January Journal, encouraging all participants to reflect on their week, over a 12 week period, with each week taking on a different theme.

Rebecca is now regularly at The Charter on Tollcross Road having some Arty Chat! Follow her on Instagram (@parkheadartist).

For info on any of the above, and / or to participate email Jackie, Arts Strategy Coordinator at jaqueline.shearer2@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Ilisa Stack and Barrowfield Community Centre

Ilisa Stack developed photo walks with groups from Barrowfield Community Centre.

They went on to produce some amazing results including these gorgeous cyanotypes you can see in this photograph.