In search of Vital Sparks

Several schools in Argyll & Bute have been in contact to find out what's happening in the Whys Man initiative. We're welcoming their pupils onboard.

And it turns out that George Wyllie had a long, established history of working with schools in Argyll & Bute, of projects about puffers, and about Para Handy.

So, today it was off across the Clyde to Rothesay to find out more. This photo was taken at the harbour, just before heading back, laden with folders and photos and lots of inspiration.

When George was an artist in residence with seven schools across the authority, the 7 Vital Sparks project, he helped pupils to investigate the history of the puffer trade, to find out about the wee 'sea-going lorries'.

They went on to design their own puffers for exhibition, writing the stories of each one, and to imagine the puffers of the future.

It'll be really interesting to see what the current generation of pupils in Argyll & Bute schools make of George Wyllie's work, and what work they themselves make, inspired by both the artist and their own predecessors.