POSSILPARK, NORTH GLASGOW 2021-2025
Sharing Cowlairs.
An arts, ecology and community project exploring creative ways to occupy and care for ‘vacant and derelict’ land.
Facilitated by Glasgow Life Artists in Communities Margaret Kerr and Saffy Setohy, working with a steering group of local residents and organisations.
THE LAND
More than forty years of ‘derelict’ land, alive with green.
Cowlairs is a large area of post-industrial land in Possilpark, North Glasgow, which has lain ‘derelict’ for more than 40 years. It is a biodiverse green space, with self-seeded woodland and many animal and plant species. Surrounding human communities pass through the land every day.
Heavy flytipping and other antisocial activity is present. However, there are many local people who care about the place and wish to have a say in its future.
ST TERESA'S PRIMARY SCHOOL
A safe, clean route to school.
From 2021 to 2025, Saffy and Margaret worked with the children and parents of St Teresa's Primary School, which borders the land, to explore their right to a safe, clean route to school. They facilitated artistic activities that supported children's learning about sustainability, their local environment, and active citizenship.
Saffy and collaborators worked with the children to create an outdoor performance inspired by UN Article 19- The Right to Protest. This was commissioned by National Theatre of Scotland and Fuel, under the umbrella of Fly the Flag.
Watch the children's manifesto film: Sharing Cowlairs — Children's Manifesto on Vimeo.
COMMUNITY LABYRINTH & GARDEN
A symbol of collaboration and solidarity with the rest of nature.
Saffy and Margaret also worked with the school, wider community and partner organisations to make a community labyrinth and garden on the site.
Coming from a suggestion made by the children, this created a contained space for people to rest, play, celebrate and gather within the land, as well as tending plants such as herbs and fruit bushes. A place made by the community, for the community.
EVENTS, EXHIBITIONS & FESTIVAL
Bringing people together through shared care and action.
Exhibitions, celebration events, performances, workshops and a community festival ran throughout the project — from litter cleanups and walking groups to performances, outdoor learning sessions and exhibitions celebrating the past, present and future of Cowlairs.
A festival involving a processional performance with a live brass band celebrated the working class history of the area, and the nature and culture that could flourish within the land.
WITH THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS & PARTNERS
Glasgow Life Artists in Communities, St. Teresa's Primary School, Glasgow City Council, Possilpark Parish Church, Concrete Garden, Lambhill Stables, Canal Youth Forum, Hawthorn Housing, Young People's Futures, Green Action Trust, and Boomerang Woodwork.
STEERING GROUP
Gemma Coyle, Ashley Green, Brian Land, JP McIver, Rod Sanchez, Hazel Short
PRODUCER
Roisin Cross
COLLABORATORS
Bex Smith, Joanna Young, Ruxy Cantir, Jamie Wardrop, Dan Brawley, Alex McCabe, Aliya Hamshi, Cameron Newall, and others
Image credits: Julia Bauer, Brian Hartley, James Chapelard, Saffy Setohy, Margaret Kerr, Ryan Macleod