Livingstone centre is set to host artwork display on life and work of explorer

May 9 2008

BLANTYRE’S David Livingstone Centre is set to host a display of artwork designed and created by a group of local adults.

Weaving The Threads is an arts project inspired by the collections of the centre and the story of the explorer’s life.

The project has brought together people with disabilities from across Lanarkshire to work together creatively for a period of twelve weeks.

It began with a creative writing session inspired by a tour of the museum, which led on to working with a range of visual art techniques including felt-making, pastel drawings and collages.

The felt was made by hand from carded wool, and the colours and designs were inspired by African and Scottish landscapes.

The collages were based on an aspect of the museum or David Livingstone’s life that particularly inspired each group member.

These included slavery, the River Clyde and water mills, and David’s journeys in Africa including his legendery encounter with a lion.

The artworks are currently on display in the David Livingstone Centre café.

The National Trust for Scotland, who manage the Blantyre attraction, are also holding a Gardens Day on Sunday, May 11.

The event is organised as part of the Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, which supports gardens across the country.

At the Blantyre centre, visitors can quiz gardening staff about how to make the most of their own gardens, learn more about composting and even pick up some seeds and plants to take home.

Head of Gardens at the National Trust for Scotland, Jan Haenraets said: “The Trust manages some of Scotland’s most stunning gardens, with beautiful plant collections and fascinating histories. The David Livingstone Centre is involved in Gardens Day, giving visitors the opportunity to get behind the scenes, learn more about the history of our gardens and what goes into maintaining them.”