But is it art?

If you happen to be, or know, an artist in the South of Scotland, then Forestry Commission Scotland may have some work for you. Artists and “arts practitioners” (call us philistines, but we have no idea what the difference between those two is) are being offered the opportunity to bring art to mountain bike trails in the South of Scotland, as part of the second phase of the 7stanes mountain bike trail project.

Forestry Commission Scotland and partners in the 7stanes project are proposing to create unique art features at key points deep within each of the (slightly confusingly) eight forest sites concerned – Tweed Valley, Mabie, Dalbeattie, Ae, Newcastleton, Kirroughtree and Glentrool.

Bob Jones, who has the splendid job title of Head of Design and Interpretative Services for Forestry Commission Scotland said:

“Forestry Commission Scotland is always looking for ways to enhance the experience for all users of our forests, including mountain bikers. One way we have done this in the past is to create unique art installations at selected locations. We feel that this approach would add another stimulating dimension to the 7stanes trails and help in
attracting even more people to visit our forests in the South of Scotland.”

The partners in the initiative – Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association; Dumfries & Galloway Council; Scottish Borders Council and Scottish Natural Heritage – are keeping an open mind on the type of installations and are keen that approaches to the work explore all creative media and channels. This includes seeking proposals for performance, aural, virtual or other media if the context is appropriate. The art should appeal to all forest
users, including walkers, families and other sports users, as well as mountain bikers and all art installations should be sustainable, leaving a long-term legacy for future forest users to enjoy.

Suitably experienced artists and arts practitioners working in, or associated with, the South Of Scotland are being asked to send any expressions of interest. These should be received by February 9 2007 and include a short narrative of ideas, a CV and some examples of previous relevant work. Full particulars can be obtained these from the 7stanes Project at the Forestry Commission Scotland offices in Dumfries or details can be downloaded from www.7stanes.gov.uk. Submissions may be for a single site or a number of sites and for any individual artist or group with a track record in their particular field in the South of Scotland.