Katie Fowlie, an art specialist, and educator from the East Neuk, has been commissioned to deliver Remembering Together Fife, a project that strives to sensitively mark the Covid-19 pandemic.
She has named the project PROCESS, and her role is to co-create something collaboratively with communities across Fife to respond to a difficult period in our lives. A series of free, bookable, and drop-in workshops are being delivered across Fife. Participants will explore the language (Floriography) associated with plants to express emotions in a non-verbal way and will create art using plant-based materials.
By gathering materials from the landscape, participants are learning immersive, process-based activities which encourage relaxation, improve mood, and encourage people out of isolation.
The workshops come about after 18 months of engagement with communities across Fife listening to individuals’ unique experiences from this challenging time. Ideas were collected to mark this experience in a way which would resonate with people across the Kingdom.
Katie explains: “Many ideas were offered during the initial engagement phase, and areas of overlap started to emerge. Most participants noted a decline in their mental health, their self-confidence, and feelings of isolation.
“There was an overwhelming desire to create something with a positive legacy, something which invests in people, and which is supportive in terms of their wellbeing.
“People shared how important the daily permitted hour outdoors became to their wellbeing. But also, how this habit was so quickly abandoned as life started to return to normal. They were keen to create something collectively which celebrated Fife’s varied landscapes while encouraging healthy habits such as slowing down and reinstating regular time spent outdoors. All in a way which enabled reflection and a chance to process how our lives changed.”
This period of co-creation will culminate in the creation of a bespoke publication called PROCESS. This will be a collection of images, reflections, words, and fragments that offers ‘how-to’ details to undertake further exploration. This publication will be gifted to appropriate organisations across Fife, as well as being free to access online.
Katie is continuing to host a series of free community workshops during the coming months as public drop-in events, alongside those offered to community groups and key workers. For updates, please follow ‘Remembering Together Fife’ on Facebook and Instagram.
‘Drop-in’ events are being hosted by: Kellie Castle, May 18th & 25th (11am – 3pm), The Larick Centre, May 20th & 27th and June 3rd (1pm – 2.30pm).
Bookable workshops [PROCESS: The Art of Foraging] started in Kennoway on 16th April, and then take place in Buckhaven on 19th April, Leven on 25th April and Methil on 4th May.
Katie will be collaborating with Jayson Byles from East Neuk Seaweed to offer cooking demonstrations and create botanical inks from foraged finds. These workshops are supported by Lateral Lab with additional funding from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.
Fife Coast and Countryside Trust are facilitating Remembering Together Fife. Free workshop places can be booked at www.fifecoastandcountrysidetrust.co.uk/events/
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