An appeal has been issued for Ayrshire artists to come together in a unique event aimed at completing the Alloway Railway Tunnel project. For the last three years, the dilapidated tunnel has been transformed into an inspiring place, with beautiful hand-painted murals.
The project has been spearheaded by one of the UK’s top muralists and visionaries, Chris Rutterford. Chris has been helped greatly by the local community, schoolchildren and other stakeholders. Now an invite has been sent out asking all the local artists in Ayrshire to come together to help Chris work on the final section of the mural - the ceiling vaults.
Call for Artists
A spokesperson for the Alloway Railway Tunnel Project (ART) said: “Calling all artists. We have a special opportunity for talented artists in Ayrshire or visitors who have artistic talents to help put the icing on the cake in the Alloway Tunnel mural. The production of the Alloway Tunnel has been hugely inclusive, our artist Chris Rutterford has involved nearly 3000 artists of all age and ability in hands-on painting to create a really special space for Ayr with a beautiful mural illustrating Ayrshire history.
“We’re inviting local artist groups and individuals who are talented painters to come along to work in a hosted workshop with our artist Chris Rutterford to paint a last layer of slightly larger, more polished shaped boards to add to the ceiling vaults and walls of the tunnel.”
What to Paint
Organisers are looking for participants to paint magical creatures and animals for hanging on the walls and ceiling above the tavern, and Tam o’ Shanter chase scene and also, in the central sky section and forest area, flying birds and forest creatures that can flow down the tunnel. The spokesperson continued: “Chris will have shaped plywood boards ready to paint, but if people come up with designs for magical creatures and animals ahead of time, he will help facilitate their creations and find them a place in the vision. It would be great to see you! Please come along for the last chance to make your mark.”
Workshop Details
Dates and times of the mural art workshop are: Sunday 2 August between 1-4pm, Monday 3 August to Saturday 8 August 10.30am-4pm, Wednesday 5 August 10.30am until 8pm for anyone who cannot manage along during the day. People can stay for as long as they want on the day as there are no set times. The location of the workshop is the Burns Cottage Education Pavilion behind the Burns Cottage. You can enter from the car park. No charge at the gate. Just let the staff know you are attending the mural art workshop. To book a place in the workshop email Shelagh@allowaytunnel.onmicrosoft.com with your name, mobile number and which day you would like to attend.
