Exhibition takes walk down memory lane Museum hosts fascinating display produced by older people
Memories of childhood, wartime, family and nightlife form the basis of a fascinating new exhibition opening next week in Paisley Museum.
Older people taking part in Craft Café workshops in Paisley, Johnstone and Barrhead have been working on drawings, paintings, textiles and glass decorations for the exhibition.
Community arts charity Impact Arts runs the workshops, and lead tutor Anne Marie Wilson has been working with members to prepare for the exhibition.
She said: “It’s really exciting for the members of the Craft Cafés to have this exhibition open to the public, and especially in a beautiful setting like Paisley Museum and Art Galleries.
“They have worked incredibly hard putting this collection together, using techniques that some were not familiar with before.
“They have created a fantastic end result for the public, touching on some memories that people will laugh and cry at and enjoy delving into.”
Craft Café is a weekly creative workshop which aims to give older people the chance to learn new skills and make new friends.
Johnstone man Alex Mair, 79, said the group helped him deal with his wife’s death.
He added: “I never thought for one minute that I would join a group like Craft Café.
“Previously I was quiet, lacking in confidence and unsure about joining new groups.
“Craft Café has helped me immensely and to see my work on display at the exhibition will give me a sense of achievement, not just in creating the work but in other areas of my life too.”
Danny McGinley, 83, said he’s looking forward to seeing his efforts on show at the exhibition.
He said: “Joining the Craft Café has given me a new lease of life.
“Age is no barrier. We can still be creative, still think, we still remember and the work we have created helped to bring back precious memories that time and tide will never ever erase.”
Another member of the Johnstone group, Bridie Borland, 70, has enjoyed learning a new skill.
She said: “At the exhibition I will be showing a quilt that I have made.
“I’d always wanted to try quilting and I like the colours and fabric that I’ve chosen. It will be fantastic to see my own work on display and hope that members of the public will appreciate the work that has gone into it.”
Anne Marie added: “It ’ s incredibly important that people are appreciated in later life, whether creatively or otherwise.
“Exhibitions like this one help to show older people they are valued and I hope many people can make it along and see the skill and effort involved.”
The Memories exhibition will be open between 11am and 4pm from Wednesday, March 1 until Saturday, March 4, at Paisley Museum.
The Craft Café is co-ordinated by Impact Arts and supported by FLAIR housing associations and ROAR Connections for Life.
Workshops run in Paisley at ROAR Underwood Lane on Tuesdays from 10am till 12pm then on Friday from 2pm till 4pm at 20 Newton Street Sheltered Housing; in Johnstone at Farrier Court Sheltered Housing on Fridays from 11am till 1pm and in Barrhead on 113 Main Street on Wednesdays from 10am till 4pm.
If you are aged 60 or over, and interested in joining, please contact Anne Marie on 07976623552 or email amwilson@impactarts.co.uk
It will be fantastic to see my work on display Bridie Borland