Girvan Arts Festival: A Close-knit Community
by Declan G, Girvan Academy
After much preparation and anticipation, the 4th Girvan arts festival commenced, with events held throughout the town in a variety of distinctive locations, centred in the local Community Gardens. This venue proved to have a cozy, but lively atmosphere helped by delightful music from many talented artists. Students from Girvan Academy captivated us with music, for instance the xylophone, adding excitement and attracting people to enjoy the melodies on offer.
I spoke to some people who had been drawn to the festival from Glasgow. They conveyed feelings of “sentimentality” after seeing how the people of Girvan have “came together as a collective.” This at heart is the essence of the Girvan arts festival, bringing the whole community together for a shared appreciation of creativity. The community aspect of the Girvan Arts Festival is unparalleled with few other events gathering so many people in the same way.
This has led to the festival’s proliferation over recent years. It all starting as a passion project to highlight local artistry and talent – with many predicting “it’ll never work” – swiftly it has become a staple in the local events calendar, with the
dawn of new ventures such as the Girvan Community Flag Project and the Shop Window Project. During both, different associations within Girvan partnered to “brighten up” the area as well as to encourage people “to get involved with the arts and to be creative.”
Humeston Byre spoke about the importance of sustainability in farming, showing how their produce is not only ”superior quality”, it also hasn’t travelled halfway around the world to reach our plates, with their farm to fork style practices making “hyper-local” products. It was interesting to learn how intricately linked Farming is to the arts, both utilising “creativity, patience and process” to create a finished product that is unequivocally filled with devotion, dedication, and determination.
Meanwhile Rod McCance spoke to me about his life, and how he has strived and succeeded to become a highly inspirational artist. He attended the Glasgow School of Art despite “struggling with dyslexia” throughout his life, especially during his school years while his dyslexia remained undiagnosed. He also made clear how painting is truly a labour of love, taking him over 6 months to complete a single piece. Using “vibrant and distinct oils” helps him to create one-of-a-kind pieces that can be compared to nothing else.
The celebration of creativity that is the Girvan Arts Festival was founded by Helen Humphries with the aim of sharing her “passion for the arts” with other like-minded people. She explained to me that she worries that people are becoming increasingly isolated – which is why a festival like this, in the centre of a town is so beneficial for people of all ages.
Young people have been welcomed into the Arts Festival once again this year with Girvan Academy’s “imaginative” QR code trail highlighting how Girvan seems “through a young person’s eyes.” In addition, pupils’ artwork and photographs have been displayed in the McKechnie Institutes Art Exhibition alongside other “exciting and magnificent artists” from around Ayrshire.
Nevertheless, the festival was not without its flaws, with some struggling to hear what was being said, while others found it difficult to purchase tickets online. However, these issues were exacerbated by the events popularity, with the number of people wanting to attend highlighting that people are genuinely interested in the range of topics on offer. The same can be said for those finding it difficult to hear – they must be intrigued about what is being said.
Some come out of love for earlier festivals, while others come out of curiosity, wanting to try something new. Festival goers could partake in printing, explore exhibitions, create crafts … and so much more, all within a few minutes’ walk of one another. It is clear to me that as the event has morphed over recent years it has expanding into every corner of our community. Whether it’s the “warm hearted team” of volunteers in the Community Gardens, or the various partnerships with other organisations, it’s obvious this festival ties our community together.
What could be better?
Writing and Photography:
Declan G