CRAG Community Arts SCIO have been awarded the contract to deliver the North Carrick Communities Arts Trail, with Bruce 750 themed sculptures across Bruce’s Web, a project commissioned by NCCBC. The trail which will consist of nine sculptures with augmented reality content will traverse North Carrick travelling from Turnberry in the south, to Dunure in the North, and east to Straiton. Alongside the trail, visitors to the trail will download a phone app with augmented reality elements including a game play element; where you can experience Bruce weaving his way across Carrick once more. 

With the Maybole sculpture already under construction, the remaining eight sculptures will be designed through a consultation process with each of the North Carrick communities.

This process has already started with CRAG artist David Powell – known for his Culzean and Rozelle steel and willow sculptures – visiting each of the six primary schools to discuss the Bruce 750 project while providing an insight to his own work practice as an artist. 

The project is designed to celebrate the 750th Anniversary of the birth of King Robert the Bruce; as well as the communities in which the work will be sited. Young artists from each school are working in groups or individually to produce their own designs of a potential sculpture inspired by historical events and items associated with the Bruce, or their community. The artwork could well be modern or traditional in form. The new pieces will have an expected lifespan of 25 years; causing some excitement amongst the children! “I will be 35!”- piped up one the children at a school assembly; this will be a legacy  of the Bruce 750 project that the children can pass down to the next generation and perhaps beyond!

With the CRAG Arts team are working with each of the schools to assist them in the initial design process; researching ideas and then producing 2D and 3D concepts from February to March. This is an exciting opportunity for our young folk to take part in a project that will enhance the experience both residents and visitors coming to our area; allowing them to follow in the footsteps of the Bruce and learn more about our community in the 21^st century.

At the end of the ongoing design process period the community consultation will be held; this when locals can decide which design they would like to be made into a finished work. And that is the exciting bit – for at the moment no one knows what the work will be, or what our budding young artists will produce! How big? How small? What will they be made of? Just some of the questions that folk are asking; but as our young artists will be busy designing over the next few weeks – the answer can only be – Who knows? 

Likewise, the augmented reality content will be determined by the sculpture designs with AR providing locals and visitor alike with the opportunity  to experience Bruce in a way not yet experienced! With the design team building in gameplay for the phone app; weaving history and technology together into a unique North Carrick experience!

The proposed dates for community consultations to be held in community halls and spaces is 23^rd – 24^th of March so keep an eye open for updates on the project via our social media and that of NCCBC (@Improving North Carrick)

These dates are you chance to have a say on the sculpture in your community!

For further info on the project please contact David at cragarts@btinternet.com

Photo of David at his workshop:

Some of the children’s ideas below!