East Ayrshire Remembering Together comes to a close with ‘Tales from the Tipi’ exhibition

Remembering Together: Tales from the Tipi is an exhibition currently on show at the Dick Institute, Kilmarnock, which displays works from a project that has taken place over a two year period.

It all began back in 2022 when Zara Smith, Cultural Co-ordinator for the Council’s Creative Minds team commissioned Lead Artists Paul Brunton from Rock ‘n’ Role Models and Eileen Frater from Prancing Jack Productions to explore how the people of East Ayrshire could mark, and commemorate, their experiences during the pandemic, particularly lockdown.

Five communities were chosen along with Alzheimer Scotland and Break the Silence charities; and in the safe environment of a tipi, people began for the first time to creatively engage with musical instruments, to sing and most importantly tell their individual stories.

The project was so successful that when it came to agreeing an appropriate Covid Memorial, it was felt that there should be a living memorial, that people should have the opportunity to engage with friends, family and colleagues through the creative arts and create a living memorial.

The Creative Minds team, with the Council and Lead Artists were inspired to develop extensive creative sessions for all ages, but with a focus on young people and the aim of making 2023 the ‘Best Year Ever’.

Artists led music-making, dance, parkour, and bushcraft sessions across East Ayrshire, reaching thousands of participants of all ages and backgrounds. In Kilmarnock, Mauchline, Dalrymple, Rankinston, Patna and Auchinleck, environments were created where self-expression, fun and lifelong memories flourished. Young people were especially empowered to say - "I can do this."

Stories from the first phase of the project were also revisited by a film crew who created a documentary – Tales from the Tipi, which compassionately captures the varied experiences of lockdown. The soundtrack features music by local songwriters, including a poignant track by a Scottish songwriter and bushcrafter who tragically passed away during the pandemic.

Provost Jim Todd, who was joined at the exhibition launch by Councillor Graham Barton and Chief Executive Eddie Fraser, said: “I would urge everyone to take time to visit this fantastic exhibition. It is poignant, compassionate and moving but it’s also uplifting and really captures the Ayrshire spirit.

“During the pandemic there were many heroes, and the people of East Ayrshire exemplified the values of community and kindness. What the exhibition also clearly demonstrates is that when we navigate our darkest moments, it is the artists—poets, filmmakers, musicians, comedians, dancers, actors, writers and entertainers—who help us express the emotions within.”