Argyll and Bute Creates Memorial for Covid-19 Victims

FOUR locations in Argyll and Bute have created their own lasting memorial to those who passed away in the Covid-19 pandemic.
A report has detailed projects in Garelochhead, Bute, Mull and Campbeltown which benefited from Scottish Government funding for the Remembering Together project.
The initiative saw artists working with communities to create space and artworks for memory and reflection, with the project for Argyll and Bute being entitled Reflect.
The details feature in a report to Argyll and Bute Council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee at its meeting on Thursday, June 19.
Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “Remembering Together, brought together communities and artists/creative practitioners in collective acts of reflection, remembrance, hope and healing.
“Supported with £4.1 million provided by the Scottish Government, memorial projects were co-created in every local authority area of Scotland through communities working with artists/creative practitioners to honour those who have lost their lives to Covid-19 and reflect on their own experiences.
“On March 14, 2022, the [council’s] strategic management team approved the governance for delivery in Argyll and Bute to be a partnership approach with officer representation on a steering group with CHARTS (Culture, Heritage and Arts Argyll and the Isles) and Greenspace Scotland. CHARTS had a leading role in delivering the project.
“A first phase consultation identified the importance of the outdoors and natural environment in supporting the mental health of our communities during the pandemic, and also in the creation of artworks/events which could be shared across Argyll and Bute’s wide geography, rather than being situated in any single location.
“The project was given the name Reflect and utilised grassroot connections to enable co-created art works to be situated in community/heritage gardens/ trails across the four community planning areas of Argyll.
“The second delivery phase consisted of four artists working with communities in the four chosen locations, Garelochead, Isle of Mull, Isle of Bute and Campbeltown to design new spaces and artworks for memory and reflection.
“This built on post-pandemic community wellbeing activities and grew community relationships with artists. The project has left a legacy within the community for continued engagement with nature, flora and fauna and an archived resource for future learning.”
Ms Flanagan added that a number of project elements remain to be delivered due to external demands, but “legacy is strong”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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