Bid to enhance Moray's heritage assets through art
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A MORAY event next week will aim to foster closer working links between the region's artists and heritage organisations.
The area's first Heritage and Culture Symposium will take place in Elgin next week. It aims to build connections between creative and heritage sectors to further develop Moray’s business and economic landscape.
Tickets are now available for the free event, which is being funded by the Discover Moray’s Great Places Partnership.
Delegates can take part in workshops and hear from experts in their field. A number of artists who have delivered heritage and arts projects will share their stories and encourage attendees to explore joint opportunities to use creativity to enhance Moray’s rich cultural heritage.
Speakers will include Mary Bourne, a visual artist whose work focuses on the environment and how we relate to it; Bob Pegg, storyteller, musician and artist based in the Highlands; Duncan Wilson, a visual artist specialising in youth work and socially engaged art practice; Mark Zygadlo, an artist who specialises in fine art and woodcarving; Robert Singer, a chef and environmental artist; Simon Sharkey, a theatre director who was one of the founding directors of the National Theatre of Scotland; and Dr Thomas McKean, a folklorist specialising in creativity.
The symposium, curated and produced by Findhorn Bay Arts on behalf of Discover Moray’s Great Places, will take place at the Alexander Graham Bell Centre, Moray College UHI, between 10am and 4pm on Friday, November 15.
The six workshops will encourage cross-learning and networking by providing delegates with the tools and inspiration to explore how creativity can be used to make more of local heritage stories.
Kresanna Aigner, creative director at Findhorn Bay Arts, said: "With the aim of bringing the heritage sector to life, we will be organising a series of events on behalf of the project over the coming months, including workshops in the community, creating a digital animation with young people, and winter tales and tunes sessions in the new year.
"This symposium is the first stage of this programme of activity and with presentations and group sessions with renowned artists, it is the perfect place to connect and inspire the heritage and culture sectors in Moray."
Jim Royan, chairman of Discover Moray’s Great Places, said the project, led by the Moray Council on behalf of the Moray Economic Partnership, has been working closely with the tourism, heritage and cultural sectors in Moray. He added: "Businesses and communities have been able to explore new and innovative ways of adding value to our rich heritage and cultural assets. This has been done in partnership with Moray Speyside Tourism as it moves steadily towards the establishment of a Tourism BID for Moray Speyside.
"This symposium will add the final piece to this programme and reminds us of the potential that Moray has as a quality destination and the significant opportunities that would be on offer through a Tourism Business Improvement organisation."
Rhona Gunn, Moray Council’s director of economic development and infrastructure, said: "Moray is host to a number of talented artists and creative forces, and events like this which aim to bring organisations and individuals from different sectors together to benefit the overall business community in the region are incredibly important."
The event is open to individuals and groups across the region. Booking is required and will close at midnight on Tuesday, November 12. To book, visit www.findhornbayarts.com/project/discover-morays-great-places/.
