We Are The Walrus 2018

Our Grand Fountain Film project, We Are The Walrus, directly engaged with over 130 community members in 23 different ways, impacted over 600 people indirectly, and collaborated with a large number of partners. Here are some of the highlights:

We showcased our graphic plan and progress to around 50 Tannahill Centre Ferguslie Park visitors when the 2021 City of Culture judges and DCMS staff visited Paisley in October 17.

Our Fountain inspired poetry competition, September-November 17, engaged with 42 people of all ages, culminating in a beautiful booklet. The online launch coincided with National Poetry Day and we showcased several live recitals. Every longlisted entrant received a certificate. Those shortlisted, and all children, received a copy of the booklet, as did the category winners along with book tokens.

Our walruses paraded through Paisley on November 17 and visited some of our beautiful heritage assets, asking members of the public for directions to the Grand Fountain. The parade directly involved 32 people.

We launched the premiere of We Are The Walrus in April 2018 to great acclaim at St Mathews Church. 45 people attended and ate movie inspired snacks and were gifted with our celebratory walrus masks.

The film was also showcased prior to every movie screening at the Tannahill Threads Festival pop up cinema in Ferguslie to over 200 people. Since the launch there have been hundreds of views of the film on youtube.

Throughout the project we received much in-kind support including art-work for the masks from Graphic Designer Willie Kay and very reduced printing costs from Print and Copy IT and PR Print. Good press coverage and social media interest kept the project at the forefront of people’s minds throughout the process. Evaluations with those directly involved throughout the process evidenced the huge impact of this type of creative collaboration. 100% of participants reported feeling more connected to their community with increased awareness of heritage and assets, heightened pride, and described the process as a fun learning experience. Everyone involved also stated they would be very likely to get involved with a similar project again if the opportunity arose.

“This is, by far, the best thing I’ve ever done…I’m so proud!” (participant)