In January, two creative writing sessions with North East primary and secondary school English teachers were run as part of our Shared Collective Heritage project, focusing on using visual art as an inspiration for creative writing. Utilising the GHAT Art Collection as inspiration, the workshops also aimed to increase knowledge and awareness of the region’s cultural heritage.
With participants’ input throughout, these free sessions involved writer Shane Strachan exploring the creative approaches and processes he has taken to ‘reading’ an artwork from the GHAT collection and responding through creative writing. There was a chance for participants to have a go at the process and share their work and learning. The workshops were particularly suited to teachers supporting pupils to increase their visual and literacy skills
The workshops were positively received with one teacher commenting:
I really enjoyed this event. It was purposeful and the information and tasks very transferable to the classroom with any age of learners. Shane was engaging and his passion for what he does came through within the workshop.
You can listen to previous participants perform the work created in similar workshops throughout 2020 on the Shared Collective Heritage webpage.
These events were supported by Scottish Book Trust’s Live Literature programme. It also forms part of GHAT’s current Shared Collective Heritage project, which aims to preserve and celebrate the artistic heritage that connects people and place in the North East of Scotland through engagement with the GHAT art collection. This project is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Aberdeen City Council and the Rayne Foundation.
