A pioneering new exhibition celebrating the lives and legacies of women in East Dunbartonshire has been given an extended run at Kirkintilloch Town Hall.
Women Make Heritage! is the first co-curated exhibition to be held in the town hall's new dedicated heritage and activity facility, Made in Kirkintilloch.
It brings together visual research from the newly-formed Women’s History Group – featuring artworks, research materials and a stunning portrait of the group.
Women Make Heritage! was realised in collaboration with artist Rachel Mimiec working with local women Melanie Brickley, Morag Campbell, Elaine Carlton, Liz Dempsey, Alison Graham, Isobel Hartley, Margaret Hyde, Kim Kilgour, Alice Mackenzie and Joanna O’Brien.
Members went on a personal journey of exploration, inspiration and creation – focusing on work carried out by women, associated memories and stories.
Inspired by photos from the East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture (EDLC) collection, the group looked at local women working in a wide range of industries and roles – including weaving, spinning, mining, leadership and philanthropy.
The exhibition will now run until Thursday 24 May and is open to the public – as is the wider Made in Kirkintilloch facility – from 10am-4pm, Mon-Thurs (restrictions may apply depending on bookings at the town hall – call 0141 777 3143 for more details).
Councillor Billy Hendry, Convener of Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets, said, "Congratulations to everyone involved for their inspirational work to explore local heritage, as part of the Made in Kirkintilloch project.”
EDLC Trust Chair Sandy Marshall added, "The Women Make Heritage! exhibition offers a glimpse into the lives of women through the ages in East Dunbartonshire.
"It's particularly exciting as this is the first exhibition to be held within the new dedicated heritage display and activity space."
More information on the people involved in Women Make Heritage!:
* Alice Mackenzie’s book-based research into the philanthropic work of women across East Dunbartonshire, in particular Lenzie women, focuses on the 1890 BAZAAR, set up to raise funds for the building of Lenzie Public Halls.
* Kim Kilgour’s shawl design draws on writings and photographic archives to represent the impact of Winifred – Miss Paul – the longest serving teacher of any of the Westerton primary schools.
* Morag Campbell’s work features the names of local women etched onto a view of the north east of the district, with the Campsie Fells in the background and the Rivers Glazert and Kelvin in the foreground.
* Joanna O’Brien’s research took her into the EDLC photo library and the Auld Kirk Museum, focusing on the image of weaver Maw Handley.
* Alison Graham’s shawl features Balgrochan Mill, one of the oldest mills in the district. Alison’s ancestors, John and Isabell Young, were farm servants who moved to the Kirkintilloch area in 1867, and their daughter Grace worked at Balgrochan Mill.
* Melanie Brickley’s work focuses on mill workers – who she powerfully describes as ‘solemn eyed women in shapeless skirts, pinned into their shawls as they were doubtless hemmed in to their working lives’.
* Elaine Carlton’s shawl highlights women in mining. Working from archival photos in the EDLC collection, Elaine chose a stark black and white image of women heaving and pushing wagons of coal.
* Isobel’s Hartley’s shawl also looks at women in mining, using the starkness of black and white to convey the harshness of much “overlooked” women’s work at the “pit-head, picking stones out of the coal”.
* Liz Dempsey’s shawl is a homage to the women of Campsie/Lennoxtown “working in the Mines, Mills, Distilleries, Laundries, Alum Works, Shops, Schools and the cottage loom industry, in their own homes ... their names lost in time”.
* Margaret Hyde’s shawl design is her tribute to ‘Captain’ – Miss Sheena Pirie – a much-loved figure who started the first Guide Company in Torrance in 1927.
- Bookings can now be made for Kirkintilloch Town Hall, with an official opening due to take place later this year. E-mail edlct.bookings@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or call 0141 777 3143.
- Facilities include:
- Main hall - offering flexible auditorium and events space (17m x 16.5m) with a potential capacity for 300 people, lighting and portable staging
- New extension - containing lesser town hall (8.8m x 18m), reception and offices
- Made in Kirkintilloch is a new arts and heritage learning space – within the town hall - created by EDLC Trust, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
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