Opening of fantastic Art-tastic at award-winning Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries

22nd March 2022

Visitors to a family-friendly exhibition can test for themselves the adage that a picture paints a thousand words.

They are being urged to create stories and verse inspired by some 20 works of art on display in the Art-tastic exhibition at the award-winning Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries.

Budding writers of all ages can draw on a wealth of inspirational material to frame their work, a selection of which will be posted on social media.

And, if a thousand words seems a little daunting, museum staff are keen to stress participants need not be that prolific.

A poem, short story or even a few scribbled lines on a postcard will suffice, but curators are confident audiences will not be lost for words.

Works on show include paintings by L S Lowry – famed for his matchstick-like figures – the eminent 20th century artist Sir William MacTaggart and leading Arts and Crafts painter John Duncan.

There's also a fantastic interactive film and puppet-making feature, including a theatre set in the gallery, created by Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre.

The emphasis is on works that will encourage people unfamiliar with art to see it in a fresh light.

“We’ve not necessarily picked the most spectacular works in the OnFife collection,” says curator Lesley Lettice, “nor the ones by well-known artists.

“Instead we’ve chosen paintings that capture the imagination and will provide our visitors with plenty of opportunities for storytelling.”

Also included in the Art-tastic exhibition are paintings of local scenes in Fife, including a charming work of a steam train at Limekilns and Charlestown.

Curators have written their own stories to accompany each of the paintings on show as a jumping off point for museum visitors.

The aim, however, is to encourage visitors – particularly children – to interact with the paintings and dream up written work of their own.

OnFife also hopes visitors will delve into the collection and be surprised at what they might learn from looking at paintings in a different way.

“Paintings are much more than just lines and colour,” says Lesley. “The longer you look at one, the more there is to discover.

“There are often lots of hidden details that just need a closer look. Art-tastic is packed with potential stories – all you have to do is fire your imagination and bring them to life.”

Art-tastic is on at DCL&G from 19 March-14 August.

To find out more about visiting Art-tastic, go to www.onfife.com or call DCL&G on 01383 602365.

Image: Caption – Limekilns and Charlestown by J.W. Downie

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