Schools Engagement | The Superpower of Looking

“Argyll school children have very little chance of visiting art galleries.  Even if there is an art exhibition in the few centres of population, only those who live close are likely to see it.” Naomi Mitchison, 1966

Between 1960 and 1990, The Argyll Collection was created by Naomi Mitchison, author and political activist, and Argyll County Council art advisor and art teacher Jim Tyre as a travelling educational resource for the schoolchildren of Argyll and Bute.  Over the last few months, Reconnected Project Manager Ros McKenna and Research Manager Kirsty McNab have been working closely with both primary and secondary schools to explore new and creative ways to re-engage young people and their teachers with the internationally significant collection.  Following consultation with Secondary schools, new curations of the collection are being planned for rotation around the schools as well as hands-on practical sessions and projects with a number of the primary schools utilising Art UK's innovative programme, The Superpower of Looking. 

In June, working closely with Art and Design Teacher Sian McQueen from Campbeltown Grammar School, Ros visited the Creative Industries S3 class to introduce the collection and help with their discussions and plans for converting a conference room into a Gallery space.   Measuring the space and considering light levels closely, the young people have begun selecting and curating pieces for their exhibition.  Ros introduced concepts of exhibition planning,  such as interpretation, marketing and promotion, wall colours and lighting, as well as collection care and security.  The young people had some great ideas around thematic and formal displays and will continue to work with Ros on this project over the coming weeks.  

Ros has also visited Tighnabruaich Primary and Kilmodan Primary and Early Learning Centre with several pieces from the collection, including textiles by Bel Cowie, Jennifer Hex, and Gail Fleming, a lithograph by Alan Davie, and a drawing by Gen Scouler.

In each school, Ros was impressed by the children’s engagement and their insightful and fascinating interpretations of the artworks.  

“We were thrilled to be given the opportunity to access some of The Argyll Collection. The children of Kilmodan really engaged with each of the pieces and were insightful, creative and articulate in their interpretations of each work of art.  Ros made each and every pupil feel valued as they shared their observations, interpretations and opinions of each piece.  We are hugely grateful to Ros and CHARTS for sharing part of The Argyll Collection with us.” Linda Shaw, Class Teacher, Kilmodan Primary School

Ros and Kirsty are planning many more visits and sessions. To keep up to date with their work visit The, Argyll Collection Reconnected.