PICTURES: Successful Gardenstown exhibition for international textile designer Donna Wilson
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A pop-up exhibition of artwork by international textile designer Donna Wilson which was the culmination of a project with Bracoden Primary School pupils proved to be a great success.
Harbucks was busy with visitors viewing the Look What The Sea Dragged In display and enjoying pancakes, homebakes and drinks served by parent volunteers and a group of children from the school who also acted as exhibition guides.
More than 35 original drawings were sold at the event and with the sales of refreshments and donations it raised over £1800 for Bracoden Parent Council school funds.
A spokesperson said: "A huge thank you to Donna Wilson who devised the project and gave her time and talent to support the school; to all the volunteers who helped out, including quite a few pupils on the Friday and Saturday of the event; and to everyone who came along."
Donna worked on the project during a five-month stay over the winter in Gardenstown.
Look What The Sea Dragged In aimed to encourage youngsters to get outdoors even through the winter months, into the natural environment, thinking, looking and being mindful.
Children from Bracoden Primary School were invited to get outdoors, to search for modern day treasures, from shells to beach glass or items more macabre or modern day.
The outcome was creating their very own exhibition, engaging the local community and raising funds for the PTA.
Donna said during the project: "As a mother of two boys, I recognise the importance of the outdoors.
"My kids need to run off energy in freedom and space, but I more importantly want them to foster an appreciation of nature from an early age.
"Playing outdoors allows children to develop self-confidence, independence and self-esteem.
"Now more than ever we all face the parental struggle against screens and technology, and although these have many merits, we shouldn't underestimate the importance of noticing the small things that are in front of us that many of us take for granted."
The project saw the children be encouraged to go outdoors to the beach to look for treasures.
This was done in school as a group, after school in smaller groups, and individually.
All the treasures that were picked up by the pupils were delivered to Donna.
These included special shells; Cowry or John O'Groats shells; beach plastic; beach glass; bones or teeth; pieces of rope or string; and unusual shaped pebbles.
Based on what the children found, Donna created more than 50 drawings incorporating the treasures or inspired by them.
These Gamrie Beasites were exhibited in Harbucks, at the harbour.
A number of child and adult volunteers helped set up the exhibition which included creating written names and descriptions of the objects, signage and layout.
All the treasures were on display, and parents and friends were invited to view them.
Donna is a Scottish textile and product designer with a career spanning 20 years.
She established her London design studio in 2003 after a sell-out show at the Royal College of Art.
She has since collaborated with renowned retailers and global brands including Hermes, LeSportsac, Penguin Random House, Mamas & Papas and the V&A Museums, and her work has been exhibited around the world.
Donna’s colourful, distinctive designs are inspired by a love of nature and a life-long passion for craft and making.
They have won her a string of awards including Elle Decoration’s Designer of the Year at the British Design Awards.
Despite her success, Donna has maintained a niche appeal and has a devoted following of design enthusiasts, collectors and the young at heart.
As a fore runner of the contemporary craft movement, she has always remained true to her principles, using traditional techniques and locally based suppliers wherever possible.
The Donna Wilson studio is based in east London where she and her talented team knit, sew and ship her designs to stockists and fans worldwide.
