Join in celebration of communities’ culture
We want every town and village involved, says Creative boss
The head of Creative Renfrewshire has urged people living in every community to get involved in the charity’s projects.
Liz Gardiner said the aim of the organisation is to tap into the creativity in every town and village and celebrate and support it.
She was speaking after the group held a successful launch night at Paisley’s Bungalow Bar, where she encouraged people to get involved with the programming group.
Liz said: “We are welcoming people to come forward and be part of this.
“There is so much going on out there that we don’t know about. We want people to champion events in their area.”
“Following the launch, there were two separate cultural openings – Re-Mode and Made In Paisley.
“There’s the Baker Street project and the Tapestry of Renfrewshire, which are both great groups. There’s also the projects Renfrewshire Council are doing on the museum and library. “Paisley is the place to be.” Liz was involved in setting up the Creative Renfrewshire Network with Councillor Eileen McCartin in 2008, so she has a good appreciation of the talent that’s out there.
“I have long been championing the idea of an active, established organisation,” she said.
Putting the bid together to become UK City of Culture 2021 was important in bringing people together, Liz said, but the fact Paisley didn’t win hasn’t stopped the momentum in the town.
She added: “I always said it didn’t actually matter whether we won the bid or not, the whole process of getting everybody involved, finding out what’s going on and celebrating it was in itself invaluable.
“People have opened up coffee shops and restaurants on the back of that.
“I know of families who have moved back to Paisley because it’s an exciting place to be.
“It’s all to do with the energy that was around the bid. It’s given our cultural sector a new lease of life.
“We recognise ourselves as a catalyst for regeneration and that’s extremely important.”
Board member Peter Gilchrist said the group plans to have another Get Together before the end of the year and is looking into funding to get someone in post to work full-time on the group.
He said: “We’re planning another Get Together before the end of the year but our bigger plans are for showcasing developing opportunities and celebrating our heritage.
“Any project like this needs someone in post to take it forward. We will be so much more productive by doing this.”
He added: “About 58 people signed up to take part in planning the next event, which is a great response.
“People are motivated to get involved.”
● To get in touch with Liz and the team, go to Facebook and search for Creative Renfrewshire.