Schools Engagement | The Superpower of Looking

Between 1960 and 1990, The Argyll Collection was created by Naomi Mitchison, author and political activist, and Argyll County Council art advisor and art teacher Jim Tyre as a travelling educational resource for the schoolchildren of Argyll and Bute. 

CHARTS have worked with primary and secondary schools to explore new and creative ways to re-engage young people and their teachers with the internationally significant collection.  Following consultation with Secondary schools, new curations of the collection were delivered across Argyll. This work was accompanied by hands-on practical sessions and projects with a number of primary schools utilising Art UK's innovative programme, The Superpower of Looking. 

In June 2024, working closely with Art and Design Teacher Sian McQueen from Campbeltown Grammar School, Ros visited the Creative Industries S3 class to introduce the collection and support their discussions and plans to convert a conference room into a Gallery space. After measuring the space and carefully considering light levels, the young people have begun selecting and curating pieces for their exhibition. Ros introduced concepts of exhibition planning,  such as interpretation, marketing and promotion, wall colours and lighting, as well as collection care and security.  The young people had some great ideas around thematic and formal displays and will continue to work with Ros on this project over the coming weeks.  

Ros also visited Tighnabruaich Primary and Kilmodan Primary and Early Learning Centre with several pieces from the collection, including textiles by Bel Cowie, Jennifer Hex, and Gail Fleming, a lithograph by Alan Davie, and a drawing by Gen Scouler.

At each school, Ros was impressed by the children’s engagement and insightful, fascinating interpretations of the artworks.  

“We were thrilled to be given the opportunity to access some of The Argyll Collection. The children of Kilmodan really engaged with each of the pieces and were insightful, creative and articulate in their interpretations of each work of art.  Ros made each and every pupil feel valued as they shared their observations, interpretations and opinions of each piece.  We are hugely grateful to Ros and CHARTS for sharing part of The Argyll Collection with us.” Linda Shaw, Class Teacher, Kilmodan Primary School