South Ayrshire Council News

The artwork of young students from Troon and Ayr, that was inspired by their schools sailing adventure this summer, is being exhibited at the Maclaurin Galleries in Ayr. To mark the exhibition a special awards ceremony took place in the Galleries where each of the students was presented with a John Muir Award Certificate.

The students 15 day sail training expedition took them to Mull and along the west coast of Scotland. The programme helps participants to gain teamwork skills, increase their confidence and self-esteem and to learn about the marine and coastal environment while learning to sail.

While on the expedition the students took part in the John Muir Award, an environmental award aimed at educating, increasing and encouraging participant’s knowledge about biodiversity and preservation of the natural environment. The John Muir Award scheme promotes wilderness experiences amongst young people and raises their awareness of conservation and wilderness issue.

Each student was given a John Muir diary and recorded the willdlife they saw, island habits they experienced, activities they were involved in and took photographs, made sketches or painted scenes to help them remember their journey.

Since returning home the students have been busy producing artwork to reflect their voyage and this is now on display at the Maclaurin Galleries. The exhibits are the students artistic interpretations of their sailing experiences while exploring Mull, Ardnamurchan, Colonsay, Jura, and Islay

A special awards night was held at the Gallery where each student was presented with a John Muir Award certificate by Councillor Philip Saxton and Toby Clark, the West of Scotland Award Manager.

After viewing the exhibition Councillor Saxton said: “I was very impressed with the artwork that the students produced to reflect their sailing expedition. While taking healthy exercise learning to sail, building their personal skills they also learned a lot about the environment and how valuable it is. I would like to congratule each of the students for taking part in the sailing programme and for the wonderful artwork that they have produced. I hope that many members of the public will come along and see this inspiring exhibition.”

The parents and guardians of all the children involved in the project were invited and the FREE exhibition is now open to the general public until 12 November 2007.