BOOK PROJECT

International artist duo Simon Grennan and Christopher Sperandio worked with pupils from St Luke’s High School in Barrhead and the community in the local area to create a book. Published by Barrhead Housing Association, ‘The Wisdom of Barrhead and Neilston’ is being delivered as a gift to every one of the 7,500 households in Barrhead and Neilston in June 2009.

Working with the artists the young people collected responses to the question “What is the most important lesson that life has taught you?” and a piece of personal wisdom or memory contributed by the people of Barrhead and Neilston was selected for each day of the year. Through editorial and design sessions with the artists the young people went on to develop a brief for how the book should look and feel.

The resulting book is to be read, shared and passed on; it can be consulted on any day to enlighten, challenge, entertain, prompt or soothe. The book is intended to be a monument to the area, located in every home, and creates a legacy for its people which will be around for a long time.

The book was officially launched at the opening of the ‘Creative Communities’ exhibition in June 2009 at Eastwood Theatre, Giffnock. A community event celebrating the launch of the book was held at Arthurlie House, Barrhead, on June 20 2009 .