Artwork wows at showcase event

MYTHS and legends from Annan have been brought to life in a series of fantastic illustrations. After extensive discussions with individuals across the community, artist Hope London unveiled her six pieces of art for the town’s Moving Stories Project at Annan Day Centre on Wednesday. Hope, joined by her partner Alan Hillyer, spoke to members of the public all about the project and its next steps. The illustrations feature the Green Lady at the Motte; a ghost at the railway station; haaf net salmon fishing; a tall ship at the harbour, notorious 19th century body-snatchers Burke and Hare; and birds flying over Chapelcross. Hope said: “The first thing I had to, before I could start working, was talk to people in town to find out the legends and stories that meant something. “We had a very limited time frame for the project, it was two months. I had to collect these stories in that time and decide which ones to illustrate. “We want them to be translated into signs that will appear on buildings.” Tools used by Hope for the sketches included Biro pens, pen and ink, watercolour pens, coloured pencils and acrylic paints. One featured illustration alongside this article show Chapelcross with two white birds flying overhead. Hope said: “Someone told me they had heard stories of white birds seen flying over Chapelcross when they started to demolish it. “I decided to use the old Chapelcross, which I remember from driving along the A75 for years.” And another shows the Green Lady of the Motte. Hope said: “This is the second drawing. I was told by people she had to be scary, and they were terrified of her. I heard this story again and again.” Rita Dalgliesh, who met Hope on Wednesday, said: “(The Green Lady drawing) has brought it all back to me from my childhood. “(The illustrations) are all absolutely gorgeous, they really are.” The artwork will now be made into signs, which will eventually be displayed around Annan for people to discover as they walk or wheel their way around. It is all part of the region-wide creative campaign – Moving Stories. The project has been developed by The Stove Network, supported by Dumfries and Galloway Council, and funded by the UK Government. It will celebrate the everyday journeys that connect communities across Dumfries and Galloway. And it aims to highlight real-life stories from people who travel along familiar routes.