A WELL-KENT Scottish actor has unveiled a spectacular art exhibition created by Port Glasgow school pupils in one of Inverclyde's newest attractions.
Gavin Mitchell, who played Boaby the Barman in BBC's Still Game, welcomed visitors to The Wyllieum at Greenock Ocean Terminal for the launch of the creative showcase.
Around 200 people attended the event and were given the first look at the amazing artworks, which were all created by pupils during the 2023/24 academic year.
(Image: Craigmarloch School)
Mark McGhee, art and design teacher at Craigmarloch, joined forces with The Wyllieum's general manager Willie Sutherland to bring the exhibition to fruition.
He met Gavin at the opening of the museum and invited him along to the event.
Mark added: "I thought it would add a bit of gravitas to the night.
"Gavin really threw himself into it and brought a lot of enthusiasm and energy
"The Wyllieum is such an amazing asset for Inverclyde.
"What art gallery in the world wouldn't want that view?"
(Image: Craigmarloch School)
Mark started as a teacher at Craigmarloch at the start of the 2023/24 session and said the showcase is an amazing culmination of his first year of work with the pupils.
He added: "It quite emotional seeing all of the work up on the walls.
"Just about every pupil who takes art and design classes is represented.
"We have works from an early level right up to National 5 standard.
"It's a fantastic showcase of the diverse range of needs and abilities at Craigmarloch, and is a vibrant and eclectic collection of works.
"The kids are amazing and are a delight to work with."
(Image: Craigmarloch School)
Mark said when he started at the school, he found out all about the annual Craigmarloch art exhibition and decided to get it back out into the community.
Retired teacher Ruth Bennett told Mark about The Wyllieum, and principal teacher Collette Brown was a great support.
Mark added: "I've known about George Wyllie for years and I always really like the playful nature of his work.
"I thought that married up quite nicely with our approach to our own curriculum which focuses on a sense of discovery, and the process rather than the outcome."
(Image: Craigmarloch School)
(Image: Craigmarloch School)
The Wyllieum's general manager, Willie Sutherland, said he has received a lot of enquiries about buying some of the artwork since the event.
He added: "The feedback we've been getting from the public has been amazing.
"The quality of some of the pieces is outstanding.
"We follow George's example of 'art for all' and celebrate anyone who is participating in art."
(Image: Craigmarloch School)
Willie said he hopes the launch of the Craigmarloch exhibition will be the springboard for many more exciting projects with schools across Inverclyde.
He added: "I have high hopes for what we can do with the school in the year ahead.
"We're developing a think tank focusing on what The Wyllieum can do to support education across Inverclyde.
"The educational side of it is really important to us but we need financial support to help it all develop.
"We want to be a resource for schools in the area, and be a centre of support for people with additional support needs after they leave education."
The exhibition will run until August 1.
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