The Artists Behind the Memorial

The Covid-19 pandemic left an indelible mark on every community, and through art, the people of Clackmannanshire found a way to express, connect, and heal. At the heart of this process were the creative thinkers who harnessed creativity as a tool for reflection and transformation. These artists did more than help community create—they became stewards of the community, guiding people through a shared journey of healing and remembrance.

Image from School Workshop

Art Within Us All

Every individual carries an innate sense of creativity. From the simplest doodles to the most intricate paintings, there’s an artist in each of us waiting to be expressed. The role of the artists in the Remembering Together project was to nurture this creativity. We acted not as distant creators but as facilitators of communal expression. This co-creation was built on mutual trust and respect, where every community member, regardless of their background, was valued as an equal contributor to the artistic process.

By making each person feel valued, we encouraged the participants to step forward and express their grief, hope, and resilience. Whether through poetry, painting, or sculpture, every person’s contribution was a reflection of their unique journey during the pandemic. The power of co-creating art in this project went beyond the final product—it was the collective process that gave meaning and strength to the community.

Creating a Space of Trust and Expression

Our team of artists—Angela Watt, Alana Black, Cameron Watt, and John King—were instrumental in creating an atmosphere of trust. We fostered a space where individuals could feel free to share their vulnerabilities and creative impulses. Each artist approached their work with the understanding that art is not simply about the act of creation, but about the relationships and emotional bonds formed in the process.

I, a community artist and sculptor, speak of the "patterns of choice" that arise when people work together creatively. "Each decision we make, each brushstroke or word written, is part of a broader pattern—one that reflects our shared journey." It is this sense of shared decision-making that made the artwork of the Remembering Together project so powerful. By encouraging participants to contribute their ideas and choices, the team enabled the work to take on new life, evolving organically with the community’s input.

Art as a Mutual Activity

Co-creating art, as this project demonstrated, is a deeply mutual activity. It’s about relationships, dialogue, and collective vision. Every piece of art created—whether it was a community poem or a collaborative mural—carried the imprint of the many hands and hearts that contributed to its making. This dynamic of shared ownership instilled a sense of pride in the participants, enabling them to see themselves as part of something bigger.

One collaborator put it perfectly: "Art isn’t just what hangs on the wall; it’s the connections we make in the process of creation." These connections not only resulted in tangible pieces of art but also in a renewed sense of community solidarity and resilience.

The Power of Collective Art

In the Remembering Together project, the creative process mirrored the shared experiences of Clackmannanshire’s people during the pandemic. The final art outcomes became symbols of this collective journey—filled with individual voices but tied together by the threads of hope, healing, and remembrance. And while the pandemic may have forced physical separation, the power of art brought people together in spirit, reminding us that through mutual creation, we can navigate even the most challenging times.

Left to Right: Artists Angela Watt, Alana Black, Cameron Watt and John King

There were additional supporting artists and mentees to support project delivery:

Contributing Artist

Karen Strang

Additional Artist involved: Project Delivery

Zoe Green; Michael Hilton; Eva Cortes; Emily Sheppard; Michelle Briggs; Gregor Whyte; Colin Partington; Louisa Carberry; Mary Banks; Kimberly Cameron.

Artist, Musicians and Crafters involved: Workshop Sessions

Jean Edgar; Alan MacFarlane; Jan McTaggart; Lorraine Darwen; Clare Johnstone

Local Community Artists and Crafters

Sauchie, Alloa, Muckhart, Tillicoultry, Tullibody, Clackmannan, Coalsnaughton, Menstrie, Alva, Dollar.