Findhorn Bay Arts will grow an Unexpected Garden in Forres this year as part of Dandelion, the Scotland-wide creative growing initiative.
As one of 12 Unexpected Gardens announced for Scotland, Forres will be going to town with growing, bringing fun with fungi, sprouting seeds, vertical gardens and living lanes to the town centre – showing that the unlikeliest of places can bloom.
From community window boxes to revitalising the lanes and alleys of Forres High Street, the Unexpected Garden programme will cultivate local roots and fresh connections among residents, growers, artists, and community groups, culminating in a town centre display and harvest celebration.
FBA will be working with a range of partners to help deliver the Unexpected Garden, which will invite local people to share ideas, make connections and inspire new ways of thinking about growing.
Kresanna Aigner, CEO / Creative Director of Findhorn Bay Arts, said: “Forres High Street, like many across the UK, has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This Unexpected Garden is an invitation to residents living and working in the lanes and alleys of the town centre to come together with the wider community to share, learn and grow. It presents an opportunity to strengthen community networks, collaborate with local growing initiatives and experts, and put food growing and creative production into the heart of our community.”
Commissioned by EventScotland and funded via the Scottish Government, Dandelion is Scotland’s contribution to UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, a nationwide programme of creative events and engagement. Driven by the concept of ‘Sow, Grow, Share’ – not just food but ideas, music, scientific knowledge, and community – Dandelion takes a unique approach to growing.
Bringing together artists, scientists, performers, and technologists to present events and programmes throughout Scotland, including the Unexpected Gardens, Dandelion will culminate in hundreds of harvest celebrations later this year.
Bringing new life to community libraries, car parks and even tidal sites from the Western Isles to the Borders, the Unexpected Gardens are set to be a highlight of Dandelion, taking place from April to September 2022.
Find out more about Findhorn Bay Arts’ partnership with Dandelion and the Unexpected Garden via the project page – or visit www.dandelion.scot.
Image credit: Andrew Cawley for Dandelion.
