Free Bo'ness art exhibition celebrates the Conifer trees at Kinneil
New exhibition celebrates the trees at Kinneil Estate.
An art exhibition celebrating the trees at Bo’ness’ Kinneil Estate opens this weekend.
The exhibition, which is at two venues - Firefly Gallery, North Street, and Bo’ness Library, Scotland’s Close - runs from Saturday, October 31 to Saturday, November 14.
The conifer trees were planted at Kinneil just after the war to provide timber for pit props.
They have become over tall and dangerously windblown. They are scheduled for harvesting this winter.
One block beside the gully will, wind permitting, remain for a later harvest in 10 years time.
They will be replaced by a more ecologically suitable amenity woodland. The new woodland ought to allow a better biodiversity of plants and be safer, we may even get bluebells but it will take years to develop and will not look or feel the same.
Megan Lyall, artist, said: “With the woods being a popular destination for local people, to walk dogs, ride bicycles or to enjoy nature there is a worry that people in Bo’ness and nearby will be unhappy with this necessary work and experience a sense of loss when the trees go.
“As artists the chance to get out into the woods and to learn how to paint them and also make work to celebrate how they are now, seemed like a good idea, so in February, 17 intrepid people met at Kinneil Museum and the project was begun.”
With the support of local voluntary group “the Friends of Kinneil” there have been over 16 sketching meet ups in the woods during the summer and early autumn.
The youngest participant was six months, the oldest 90, so an activity for everyone, artist and enthusiast alike. Some making work to sell, others building strong memories of the woods and connecting to nature.
More artists are taking photos, visiting the woods and working independently of the meet ups.
Megan added: “It has been quite challenging at times, how do you fit a 35 metre tall tree on a piece of paper let alone attempt to capture the feeling and the light in a whole forest? It has been fascinating to see how different everyone’s approaches have been. As artists we have worked hard and had a lot of fun and we are now ready to share our work with the wider community.”
There will be a free woodland based craft activity at Bo’ness Library at 11am on Saturday, October 31, please book at the library. It is aimed at children but adults who want to make woodland pictures are also welcome! This is followed by an opening event at Firefly from 1pm-4pm.
The exhibition will be open daily at Firefly Gallery from 11am to 4pm and at Bo’ness Library during usual library opening times. Works at Firefly will be for sale.