1,800 more trees to be planted in Renfrewshire as Clyde Climate Forest expands
November 1, 2021Paisley nature reserve transformed by local volunteers to receive £14,100
November 2, 2021A UNIQUE arts trail around Paisley town centre shops will literally shine a light on the climate issues facing people in Renfrewshire.
As world leaders gather only a few miles away in Glasgow for the Cop26 Climate Change conference, more than a dozen shop windows in Paisley will feature illuminated window displays highlighting various environmental issues and what people can do to help save the planet.
Renfrewshire Leisure is collaborating with the Paisley First group to create the Paisley Windows on Cop26 trail.
The displays have been designed by three artists – Jane McInally, Jennie Bates and Rebecca Johnstone – who were commissioned by Renfrewshire Leisure to work in partnership with local shop owners.
The artists worked with the shop owners to create striking visuals that match the ethos of their business.
The illuminated shop windows display event takes place from November 5 to November 12 each evening between 5pm and 8pm.
To add to the illuminated artists windows, neon artwork ‘Electricity Will Make Angels of Us All” from Jessica Ramm will be showcased, and the ‘Fate and Fortune Lumia’ can be seen under the bridge in Gauze Street.
Rikki Payne, Arts Manager at Renfrewshire Leisure said : “This fascinating trail, featuring artistically designed shop window displays, will not only be very eye-catching, fun and entertaining, it will also be educational.
“Hopefully it will be a catalyst for discussion among families about the current perilous state of our environment and highlight why we need to adapt to climate change, take action and make changes in our lives to help the crisis.
“We also hope the trail will encourage people to recognise that even small actions on their part can make a difference.
“Although the big decisions will be made for all of us at COP26, this project gives local people a voice at the same time.”
Muriel Ann Macleod, Creative Producer for Place Partnership at Renfrewshire Leisure added: “We designed the project to tie in with COP26 and highlight the climate issues that are important for people in Renfrewshire.
“The artists involved worked closely with the local shops taking part and it was the shop owners who chose a theme for their window.
“It’s been a very worthwhile collaboration with local business owners through Paisley First and working together we have created something unique that people can enjoy and learn about the environment in a fun way.”
Colette Cardosi, Chair of Paisley First, said, “it’s been great to see our local businesses working together with the artists to highlight issues that are important to the local community as well as the businesses themselves.
“Good things can happen when people work together and hopefully this can be part of the COP26 legacy.”
Go to www.renfrewshireleisure.com/paisley-windows-on-cop26 to see the trail map and find out which shops are taking part in Paisley Windows on Cop26. People are also being encouraged to give feedback on the window displays through an online survey on the website, as well as uploading photos of the trail and tagging @rl4leisure on Twitter or @renfrewshireleisure on Instagram.
