Article Source: Grassmarket Community Project
Last Updated: 25 June 2020 15:20
An historic Edinburgh church known around the world for the story of Greyfriars Bobby, is inviting budding artists to take part in a community art project in partnership with a renowned sculptor.
Artist Mark Coreth will work alongside Greyfriars Kirk to encourage people of all ages and abilities to produce their own 3D designs by following three weekly online tutorials starting on Monday 6 July.
Using materials such as garden wire and plasticine, the aim will be to make sculptures of Bobby, the Skye Terrier who guarded his master’s grave for 14 years in the Kirkyard.
Mr Coreth, who is based in Wiltshire and is particularly known for his impressive life-size statues of animals, said: “The Greyfriars Bobby story is remarkable. It is a story that talks of loyalty, courage, dedication, respect, selflessness and kindness.
“It is a story not just of a small dog but also of a community of people who came together around those lessons through compassion and sympathy for the animal who had elected to lockdown for his human companion and to guard his grave.
“It seems to me that today there is huge relevance in the lessons that can be gleaned from the story of Greyfriars Bobby and indeed, with lockdown in place, the story could be given a further chapter.
“Art, including sculpture, can be a wonderfully fulfilling way not just to occupy and amuse yourself but to communicate with others and to bring together a community with an idea, a common theme.”
Taking inspiration from the famous statue of Greyfriars Bobby, which has stood outside the church since 1873, Mr Coreth’s short tutorials will demonstrate how to make three sculptures.
Each week will introduce a new technique using affordable and accessible materials available online. Those taking part can upload photos of their creations for the ‘Lockdown Bobby Project’ onto the Greyfriars Kirk website.
It is hoped that some of the finished pieces will form a special exhibition at Greyfriars later in the year.
People will be encouraged to take inspiration from their own dog, local dog sculptures or favourite photos to create their own versions of Bobby.
Mr Coreth, will be using his own dog Scrumpy, who is a Cairn terrier, as his model.
Rev Richard Frazer, who is the Church of Scotland minister of Greyfriars, explained that during lockdown he and Mr Coreth became friends online through a family connection.
Whilst they have never met in person, Mr Frazer has enjoyed his online sculpture tutorials on Instagram.
Speaking about Mr Coreth, he said: “The animals he sculpts come to life in his creative hands and it is wonderful to see and be inspired.
“Mark insists that sculpture is accessible and can be tried by almost anyone, so, I am certainly going to give this a try, even though I don’t have much confidence in my artistic skills.
“Through the ‘Lockdown Bobby Project’ we are seeking to raise awareness of the
importance of inclusive communities for us all and how we can help to tackle social injustice, poverty and inequality in small or large ways, through engaging in communities like the Grassmarket Community Project.”
The Grassmarket Community Project (GCP), which was founded by Mr Frazer a decade ago and supports some of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable citizens through education, mentoring and other opportunities, will also take part.
The award-winning social enterprise, which continues to work with Greyfriars Kirk, runs ‘art for all’ and hopes the ‘Lockdown Bobby Project’ will to help to raise awareness of the work it does to tackle poverty and social inequality in the heart of Edinburgh.
Gillian Couper, coordinator at Greyfriars said: “Now, thanks to the inspiration of the sculptor Mark Coreth, we are launching the ‘Lockdown Bobby Project’, giving people a chance to come together at this time, when many of our normal, day to day activities are curtailed, to craft our very own Bobby.”
“We hope that this will be a fun project for people of all ages and that it will bring people together in celebration of one of Edinburgh’s favourite characters, whose story of loyalty and devotion is such an inspiration.
“Through this time, we all need to be inspired and brought together.
“Wherever you are in the world, we warmly invite you to join in the fun!”
To find out more: https://greyfriarskirk.com/lockdown-bobby-project/
Do you have a group that might be interested in participating?
Email: coordinator@greyfriarskirk.com”
Sheila Fleet is thrilled to announce the opening of her contemporary two-storey jewellery shop at 4 Hanover Street, just off Princes Street.
READ MORELeith Makers is excited to invite you to be a part of their upcoming collaborative exhibition: Leith Connections, running from 6th - 31st August.
READ MOREChildren attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!
READ MOREScottish trad supergroup Mànran will headline a one-off live show on the Mound this month, as part of the return of Innis & Gunn's popular Edinburgh Festival Fringe takeover.
READ MORESUSHISAMBA Edinburgh launches its famed Champagne Afternoon Tea, with a refreshing summer spin, whilst guests enjoy unparalleled views from the restaurant’s home on the 10th floor of W Edinburgh!
READ MOREHot on the heels of a thrilling TravFest25 programme, the Traverse Theatre has announced the first details of the exciting work audiences can look forward to seeing in the venue from September.
READ MOREEdinburgh's West End has welcomed an exciting new destination as Don't Tell Mama, the beloved local coffee shop, officially opens The West End Garden.
READ MOREVirgin Hotels Edinburgh is excited to announce the creation of a brand new role, adding the first-ever 'Director of Mischief' position to its team.
READ MOREEdinburgh Zoo has welcomed Scotland’s only sloth bear, Cipísek, from Zlin Zoo in the Czech Republic.
READ MOREPubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.
READ MOREThis summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.
READ MOREThe inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.
READ MOREToday, Collective is delighted to announce and open a new programme, Panorama: New Views of a City, running from Wednesday 9 July to Sunday 21 December 2025.
READ MOREThis summer, The LEGO Group is excited to bring its new Summer Fun with Music Creativity Workshop directly to families in Edinburgh!
READ MOREScotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.
READ MOREFamilies will have the chance to meet some of this year’s biggest blockbuster-inspired characters for free at Fort Kinnaird this summer, as part of a series of exciting meet and greet sessions.
READ MOREThis week, the globally acclaimed venue, The Famous Spiegeltent makes her grand return to St Andrew Square after almost a decade away from her spiritual home.
READ MORENewtongrange Community Council is now pleased to reveal the names of the green-fingered locals that stood out in this historic garden contest.
READ MOREDynamic Earth launches its Toddler Tidal and Deep-Sea Discovery Zones in a bid provide accessible enrichment for little ones across the Capital.
READ MOREHis Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh welcomed Gold DofE Award holders to The Palace of Holyroodhouse this morning at a very special event to mark their achievements.
READ MOREBTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.
READ MOREFamily favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORECapital Theatres has today launched The People’s Archive, a digital exhibition that celebrates the rich history and cultural legacy of the King’s Theatre.
READ MOREA Disney-loving mum and her one-year-old daughter have been crowned Edinburgh’s biggest Stitch fans after winning a competition hosted by Fort Kinnaird.
READ MORELivingston Designer Outlet goes Jurassic crazy this July with lifelike dinosaurs, ranger training and endless photo opportunities for the whole family to enjoy.
READ MOREDeparting on Saturday 29th November 2025 at from Edinburgh Waverley, this enchanting lunchtime journey will be led by the iconic 60532 Blue Peter.
READ MOREEdinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has today announced its programme of screenings and events for its 2025 edition.
READ MOREParty at the Palace will host Scotland’s first solar-powered festival stage, the GreenFox Energy Breakthrough Stage, twinning clean energy and the joy of live music.
READ MOREGilded Balloon has unveiled a huge line-up of comedy stars to take part in a special ‘40 Years of Fringe’ in conversation series, to celebrate the venue’s 40th anniversary.
READ MOREScotland’s national music prize – the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award – has opened submissions for 2025’s £20,000 prize.
READ MORE