The Cairngorms artistic movement inspiring change

Pledge | Process | Planet in Grantown-on-Spey back in May was a pilot exhibition for the Cairngorms creative network. What was the idea behind it? 

We looked at the wider themes of the Cairngorms 2030 project and thought about getting artists to make an individual pledge of how they could take little steps towards being more environmentally friendly. That could be simply switching from an oil paint to a watercolour paint or thinking about the pigment that was in the paint, or using a supplier that's more local. We got everyone to include work that responded to the pledge that they had made. Together, that story was so powerful. It became a collective voice that evoked conversations.  

The pilot at OPENSPACE in Grantown-on-Spey ran at the same time as Grantown Open Studios which pulled in 3,500 people into the town, so we benefitted from that footfall and whisky festival visitors dropped by as well. We also had industry-facing workshops to bring together the creative community and share skills.  

• Clare in her workshop Clare Waddle

  

  
• Setting up for the exhibition Clare Waddle

  

  
• Artwork on display at the exhibition Clare Waddle

  

  

Following that success, you took Pledge | Process | Planet and the workshops on the road to Braemar and Kingussie (thanks to grant funding from the Cairngorms Trust). How did it evolve from the pilot? 

I worked closely with Joanna Wilson to curate the exhibitions at St Margaret’s in Braemar and Iona Gallery in Kingussie. The pledges ended up taking centre stage – they spanned the whole length of St Margaret’s – and they are now one of the strongest parts of the exhibition. It was very powerful to hear conversations with members of the community coming in, reading the pledges and making the connection to themselves, the landscape and the community. It enabled people to think about change and about steps that they could make individually – even a small change is still a change. It doesn't have to be huge. And if everyone does something, it all adds up.  

There was a lot of information to absorb, so we created a catalogue with the back story of the artists’ approaches; their pledges, background about their work, and context about the pieces and how they connect to the aims of Cairngorms 2030. I would say that most people took the catalogue away to give it some further thought. 

Plans to formally constitute the Cairngorms creative network are gathering pace. How important is it for creatives to work together in the National Park?  

It’s very rewarding to work so closely with so many like-minded people. The depth of talent and different disciplines in the creative world in the National Park is just huge. A rural community is different from cities and the central belt where there are hubs that have shared studio spaces. So, I think it’s especially important to encourage a more collaborative approach here.  

To do so, we need to keep gathering artists in the National Park to join our creative directory, strengthen our voice and make an impact. Pledge Process Planet has really strong values. I believe it inspires collective action not only among creatives but in the wider community, and there’s potential for us to keep building on it to create a legacy beyond Cairngorms 2030. 

The Cairngorms 2030 programme spans 20 long-term projects, bringing about transformational change in the Cairngorms, benefitting people’s health and wellbeing, delivering on climate change and enhancing nature across the National Park. The programme is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery Players.