Gray's Mobile Art School help school children learn about saving the whales
Tuesday 27 June 2023
The island of South Georgia in the sub-Antarctic used to be the epicentre of the global whaling industry in the early twentieth century and sadly from 1905 to 1965, whales were hunted to near extinction. Now the whales are slowly returning to the island’s waters and the South Georgia Heritage Trust project hopes to tell the remarkable story of their recovery to inspire people around the world.
The South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT), reached out to Gray’s Mobile Art School to deliver a school’s outreach programme to engage school children about the amazing story of the whales decline and recovery in the island’s waters.
As part of the project, the SGHT commissioned Scottish artist, Michael Visocchi RSA, to create a permanent artwork called ‘Commensalis – the Spirit Tables of South Georgia’, in the heart of the abandoned Grytviken Whaling Station to commemorate the loss and recovery of whales. His work draws inspiration from several sources to tell the island’s powerful story of an ecosystem in recovery.
A specialist team from Gray’s Mobile Art School has been working with Michael to deliver the art workshops to school children across Scotland and hopes to encourage more understanding about whaling and the opportunities to protect animals near extinction.
Chief Executive from the South Georgia Heritage Trust, Alison Neil, said: “The story of the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia is a modern-day example of a thriving haven for wildlife, thanks to a turnaround in human attitudes to the environment and especially the protection of whales. Through its work with artist Michael Visocchi and the SGHT, Gray’s Mobile Art school is helping to inspire students to believe that positive environmental change is something we can all bring about.”
Michael Visocchi said: “South Georgia shows us the most powerful evidence there is that change is possible in other under pressure ecosystems. There is always opportunity for environmental turnaround, and it is great to be celebrating ecological recovery in South Georgia through the workshops led by Gray’s Mobile Art School. We are creating hope for everyone who cares about nature and supporting vital research to protect the future of wildlife in the Southern Ocean.”
School children from Victoria Park Primary School in Dundee and Arbroath Academy are amongst some of those who have taken part in the workshops so far.
Rosie from Victoria Park Primary said: “I loved learning about the whales and really enjoyed the workshops. It’s important the whales don’t become extinct and that they get help.”
Violet from Victoria Park Primary said: “I liked all the art and creating the whales. It’s so important as they’re really friendly animals and it’s nice for people to see them. I don’t want them to go extinct.”
School teacher at Victoria Park Primary, Sarah Mitchell, said: “We loved today’s workshop. After the team left, we were still buzzing with stories about how great the morning was, and I am in no doubt that the children will be telling their parents all about it when they get home! We really appreciated how approachable, friendly and knowledgeable the team from Gray’s Mobile Art School and the South Georgia project were, they made the morning so enjoyable.”
Ray Downie from Gray’s Mobile Art School, said: “We are delighted to be working with leading Scottish Sculpture artist, Michael Visocchi, and the South Georgia Heritage Trust as part of this innovative project.
“Gray’s Mobile Art School is a fantastic way to reach out to a new audience and to share the story about this amazing conservation project. It also shows the value of Gray’s Mobile Art School which ensures we can share our school’s expertise and resources beyond our campus. Our aim is to provide students and teachers with the opportunity to learn, create and work together and by doing so, enrich the lives of communities across Scotland.”
Gray’s Mobile Art School hope to host more workshops to highlight the South Georgia Heritage Trust project, ‘Commensalis – the Spirit Tables of South Georgia’, in the autumn term.
Image shows school children Violet and Rosie from Victoria Park Primary School, Ray Downie from Gray's School of Art's Mobile Art School and Scottish artist, Michael Visocchi. Other images show Gray's Mobile Art School visiting Victoria Primary School and Arbroath Academy.