Clan Cancer Support has announced Albyn School as the official education partner for its upcoming art trail which will see BookBench sculptures installed across the North-east, Moray, Orkney and Shetland next summer.
The leading North-east cancer charity, in partnership with Wild in Art, will exhibit BookBench sculptures across the North-east, Moray, Shetland and Orkney as part of The BookBench Trail sponsored by Bilfinger and Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.
The partnership is a natural fit for Albyn, as it aligns with the School's values; fostering a sense of community and social responsibility among pupils and staff.
As part of the agreement, the School will support the trail's engagement programme which encourages schools and community groups to get involved in the project by designing their own mini BookBench sculpture. Leading up to the trail, the Albyn School community will coordinate their fundraising efforts to support Clan as well as being involved in educational events.
An information event about the project’s engagement programme is taking place at Clan House on Thursday, September 12 from 4pm-6pm with schools and community groups invited to attend for more information on how they can design their own small sculpture for the trail.
Frances Loughrey, development director from Albyn School, will be speaking to attendees on the night.
“We have a rich history in Aberdeen and want to continue to play our part in ensuring our city thrives and providing our pupils with meaningful opportunities for giving back. Albyn is delighted to be working with Clan over the coming year.”
As a major sponsor of the project, Albyn School will have one large sculpture featured in the trail and a mini BookBench sculpture.
Lee-Ann Stewart, Clan’s sculpture trail project manager and Frances Loughrey, development director from Albyn School
The small sculptures will go on public display during the trail and will be returned to the school or community group at the end of the project, while the larger BookBench sculptures will be sold at auction to raise money for Clan Cancer Support.
Artists are due to be invited to submit their designs for consideration for the larger sculptures this autumn, while schools and community groups will begin working on their designs in the new year.
Lee-Ann Stewart, Clan’s sculpture trail project manager, said: “We’re delighted to have Albyn School on board as our Education Partner for The BookBench Trail. Engagement with local schools and community groups across our geography is a key part of the project so we are extremely grateful for their expertise.
“Our BookBench sculptures are the perfect canvas for people of all ages to share their experiences, hopes and their favourite moments in literature through art and we look forward to seeing these designs being brought to life on the trail next summer.”
Clan chose the BookBench sculpture, which depicts an open book, because of its lifeline listening support service which enables anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis to open up and tell their story.
The charity hopes the sculpture, which is 1.4 metres wide and can seat two adults, will encourage people to take time to reflect on their wellbeing as they enjoy discovering artwork on the trail when its live from July – September next year.
The project is the charity’s third art trail with Light the North (2021) and The Big Hop Trail (2023) raising a combined total of more than £520,000 for Clan services.
For more information about the trail and to find out about more about the engagement event please email bookbenches@clancancersupport.org