Stirling art student picked for city Street Stories project

11 February 2021

A University of Stirling student has been selected to take part in an ambitious project set to transform Stirling’s empty shops into vibrant works of art.

Jacqueline Scorgie, a final year Art and Design student, is to have her artwork featured on a vacant shop window as part of the Street Stories initiative launched by Go Forth Business Improvement District (BID).

The 23-year-old, who practices under the name Jacque, is one of eight local artists selected by a judging panel to feature in the ground-breaking project, following an appeal to Stirling’s creative community at the end of last year.

Artists were invited to submit art celebrating Stirling, its people and heritage, which could be brought to life via interactive Augmented Reality (AR) - multi-sensory animation triggered by a free downloadable smartphone app.

Jacque, a 23-year-old female wearing a red and white checked shirt and cream cardigan. She has dark hair swept off her face and is smiling directly to camera.

Jacqueline Scorgie
Art and Design student

I was first attracted to Street Stories by the AR element but I also saw it as a great opportunity to get involved in the art circle of Stirling. I was also excited to get involved in something that would invigorate and bring people back to the city centre.

The artworks chosen cover a range of different mediums, including mosaic, digital, mural, graphic design, dance and abstract art, and the artists are currently working with the Street Stories team to develop the stories which will feature within each design.

For her piece of work, Jacque has been inspired by the environment and the impact of climate change. She added: “I can’t give specific details of what it will look like, it is top-secret until the install, but we are at an exciting stage – AR development.

“I can share that I am very pleased with the shop window that it is going to be placed – they are all great spots and easy to get to on the trail within the town.

"I am really looking forward to seeing the installation – to see my work come to life and who knows, maybe the project as a whole will inspire some entrepreneurs to set up business in these empty shops."

The empty shops involved in the Street Stories initiative are based in Barnton Street, Port Street and Murray Place and include the former premises of Laura Ashley, The Works, Argos and Designer Distinction.

Once complete, the artworks will be printed onto vinyls to go onto shop windows and installation is expected to begin in March.

The other artists picked for the project include Stirling illustrator and graphic designer David Galletly; abstract artist Roisin Mackenzie, of Little Rose Arts and Dunblane mosaic artist Rachel Davies.

Also on the team are Forth Valley college student Louisa Carberry who is studying Contemporary Arts; professional figurative artist Jacqueline Marr; dance choreographer Malcolm Sutherland from Dunblane and Alloa-based contemporary painter and mural artist Michael Corr.

An eclectic mix

Go Forth Stirling Project Director, Danielle McRorie-Smith, said: “We were delighted with the calibre and range of the submissions we received which gave us an eclectic mix of different options to choose from. We went into the selection process with open minds and were so pleased with the different styles and mediums we were able to choose from a fantastic group of artists.

“The designs were all brilliant and it was hard to narrow our choices down to eight artists but we manage to pick a range of creatives who all have connections to Stirling and we’re excited to be working with them on the Street Stories project.”

Joe Nixon, Creative Director at Arch Creative, who sat on the judging panel, said: “We're looking forward to working with the eight selected artists and to interpret their works by bringing them to life with augmented reality animations. We've chosen a diverse range of artists with a variety of styles and mediums to feature across the vacant units in Stirling, and to help create a more attractive high street.

“We’ve also explored a range of local stories which will appeal to a wide range of audiences and create points of interest for the community. Developing this art trail will encourage footfall across the city centre in a safe way and will bring an innovative and exciting tourist offering to the city of Stirling.”

Keep up to date with Jaque’s work by visiting her website: https://jaq28s.wixsite.com/artist