Marion Smith, Sculptor

I worked with pupils from Lairdsland, Hillhead, Holy Family and St Agatha’s Primary Schools and Merkland School running workshops celebrating the heritage of foundries in Kirkintilloch by exploring hands-on the processes used in this local industry. Pupils were able to see and handle examples of cast metals and work with clay to design their own artwork, taking inspiration from the heritage of Kirkintilloch and the strong links with iron founding in the area.

Impressions made in clay were cast by the pupils into a special kind of plaster that looks like cast iron; a material associated with Kirkintilloch in the production of fountains and bandstands, as well as the famous phone boxes and post boxes synonymous with Kirkintilloch.

When Kirkintilloch Town Hall reopened in 2018 after a major refurbishment the artworks made by the children were exhibited in the activity space, which has been set up for community workshops.