A new dawn of the dead

Work on this year Ayrshire’s celebration of the scary is underway - and artists are wanted to take part.

The 2017 Day O’ The Deid project follows on from a hugely successful 2016 idea originated by Ayr glass artist Leona Stewart. She is currently in the planning stages of this year’s workshops for the procession during Tamfest - the Halloween event in Ayr celebrating Tam o’Shanter.

Leona said: “This year we are calling out to local artists to come up with some creative ideas for community workshops.

“Initially funded by South Ayrshire Council and Ayrshire Youth Arts Network, the idea saw a debut series of workshops based on the Mexican tradition of Last year’s event celebrating life through acknowledging death and culminated in the first ever Day Of The Dead procession on Ayr High Street in.

“It is part of Tamfest, the annual Ayrshire celebration of Robert Burns’ famed poem Tam O’Shanter and heralds the end of the weekend long event. The procession happens on the evening of the last Sunday in October.

“In 2016, we saw hundreds dress in theme and join with local dance groups, pipe band, rocking bag pipes and samba band Samba Ya Bamba to take part carrying the themed items they had produced in our first ever Day O’ The Deid procession.

“We would like to make 2017 bigger and better. Original workshop proposals are invited that will excite and engage public participation.”

Those interested should submit proposals to Joan. elliott@ south- ayrshire. gov. uk by midnight next Friday, February 17.