Forestry Commission - News - 7stanes sets challenge for arts community

Artists and arts practitioners 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 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 eight forest sites concerned - Tweed Valley, Mabie, Dalbeattie, Ae, Newcastleton, Kirroughtree and Glentrool.

Bob Jones, Head of Design and Interpretative Services for Forestry Commission Scotland said:

"Forestry Commission Scotland are 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.

Note to Editors

The 7stanes project is being managed by Forestry Commission Scotland with partners Scottish Enterprise Dumfries & Galloway, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Enterprise Borders, Scottish Borders Council, Solway Heritage, Scottish Power and VisitScotland. The Scottish Association for Mental Health has also been supporting the project. The project receives half of its funding from Europe. For more information on the project and where to ride log on to www.7stanes.gov.uk
Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Executive's forestry department. It manages 668,000 hectares of national forest land for multiple benefits, including nature conservation, public recreation, timber production, and rural and community development; supports other woodland owners with grants, felling licences, advice and regulation; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and advises Ministers on forestry policy. For further information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland

Media Enquiries to:
Claire Martin, Forestry Commission Scotland press office, tel: 0131 314 6505