Published on:
23
February 2010
Alloa is set to have its very own story pole, like the traditional Native American totem pole, telling stories and honouring the heritage of the town.
The scheme is part of the Imagine Alloa project, which will see £2.4 million ploughed into improving the town centre, including investing in major pieces of public art.
Local wood artist Richard Douglas will work with Kenny Grieve, a well-known Scottish wood carver who has created many story poles across Scotland. Kenny first gained an interest in the ancient craft of pole carving after visiting Western Canada and seeing the work of the country's First Nation wood carvers.
On Wednesday February 24 a huge Scots Pine log will be delivered to the Make Room on Drysdale Street. Open workshops on February 26 and 27 will start to shape the ideas for decorating the pole.
Richard explained: "We take delivery of the log this week then we'll spend two days working with local people to come up with designs for the story pole. Traditionally these poles depict the local history and heritage of a community, so that's very much in keeping with the goals of Imagine Alloa."
Kenny revealed that before the carvers start work on the log they agree on a design and test it out first - on the inner cardboard tube of a carpet roll.
"Working on the long cardboard inner tube used in rolls of carpet gives us a pretty good idea how the finished design will look. It also means we can move things around and play with the design long before we start the process of carving the actual wood, which is obviously an advantage."
The workshops on February 26 and 27 are open to the public and both Kenny and Richard are keen to see local people come along.
Kenny said: "We're hoping local people will join the workshops on Thursday and Friday and contribute to the story pole. We need them to help decide on the theme for the pole. Their local knowledge can make all the difference and they'll quickly pick up some of the wood craft skills we'll be demonstrating over the two days."
The finished pole will be around 12 feet tall and will be erected locally at the end of the project.
Councillor Janet Cadenhead, Leader of the Council said: "Creating a story pole is a great way of capturing the heritage of Clackmannanshire. It's a real collaboration between local people and skilled craftsmen. Even if people can't make it along to the initial workshops, there are opportunities to get involved over the next few weeks. I think it's wonderful that people will be able to walk along Drysdale Street and see this story pole being carved."
Richard will continue to run drop-in sessions every Thursday and Saturday until the end of March, between 2pm and 4pm, so people can pop in and learn some of the skill involved in wood carving.
Richard is a former professional photographer. He first came to wood carving after retiring and looking for something creative to turn his talents to. His son came up with the idea of wood carving, and after studying at Glasgow Met and Edinburgh College of Art, the Menstrie man has never looked back.
He said: "Wood carving suits me because you need to be a little fastidious and have an attention to detail. I've always loved wood, and like my father and grandfather before me, I have a practical, creative side. I've been working with wood for a number of years now, making everything from house signs to commemorative gifts. I worked on the Prestonpans Totem Pole in East Lothian, which was a collaboration between artists from Scotland and Canada, and it was a great project.
"I'm delighted to be able to show people in Clackmannanshire some of these traditional crafts."
You can view some of Richard's work on his website at www.douglasfoto.force9.co.uk or email him at richard@douglasfoto.force9.co.uk.
For more information on Kenny Grieve check out his website www.brotus.co.uk or email him at kenny@brotus.co.uk.
The Clackmannanshire Alliance, led by the Council, worked with Clackmannanshire Business and Alloa Town Centre BID to successfully secure £2million from the Scottish Government's regeneration fund earlier this year. Together with additional money from Fairer Scotland, the town centre is benefiting from a massive £2.4 million investment. A condition of the funding was that the money is spent by the end of March 2010.