Target reached!
The extra funds raised would go towards creating Land Art Workshops, free of charge ...
European Land Art Festivals
Dunbar, East Lothian Council, United Kingdom
Aim
Our project goal is to evolve European Stone Stacking Championships into a town wide, week long Land Art Festival.
What is ELAF?
I’m James Craig Page an artist based in the small town of Dunbar on the east coast of Scotland near Edinburgh. Over the years my artistic practice led me to stone stacking. This is a meditative artistic skill which can be practiced anywhere. With a rapidly growing following in many countries, stone stacking utilises materials found in nature, creating balances using nothing more than the natural magnetic pull of the Earth. In these rather uncertain times more and more people are coming to appreciate the therapeutic benefits of it.
In 2016 along with my friend, Steven Hill we decided to create the John Muir Stone stacking Challenge in Dunbar, An open event to welcome the public to take part for themselves. Since that time the event has evolved and grown into a widely respected Land Art festival, that each year draws ever larger crowds and now incorporates the European Stone Stacking Championships.
Artist Caroline Walker stacking stones at the 2021 event
Why does ELAF matter?
This festival is a forum to connect artists and communities from around the world in Scotland, to share in a collective experience that is about forging friendships, working relationships and positive connections, during what is a very challenging and isolating time for many. In a bid to provide an environment that connects people to nature and each other as a pivotal and vital part of healing society, allowing people of all ages and backgrounds to share this experience.
Land Artists from around the world at the 2019 event
What makes ELAF unique?
The event not only brings renowned nature artists from over 13 countries to Dunbar each year, but has also garnered some remarkable publicity across the globe including a large amount of television, radio and newspaper coverage. At each years festival in Dunbar there are many separate competitions ending with the over all winner receiving a free flight and place at the World Rock Stacking Championships in Llano, Texas USA.
As well as the professional artists, the public are encouraged to also take part in a number of events. The past festivals have been very popular across the board but especially with families. The act of creating on the beach comes so naturally to children it’s one situation they forget about their phones and reconnect to nature.
Despite the tremendous challenges brought by Covid the event still managed to go ahead in 2021, albeit with fewer international visitors.
Crowds enjoying the sun and live art creation at Eye Cave Beach, Dunbar in 2019
What will the event include?
With your support, this years 2022 festival aims to be bigger and better than ever with many additional events that are incorporated into our rebranded European Land Art Festival (ELAF). The event this summer runs from July 4th - 10th and includes the following;
- Giant Sand drawings on Belhaven beach by renowned artists
- Woodland sculpture workshop lead by acclaimed artist James Brunt
- Stone stacking competitions (including children’s & family events)
- Online Land Art competitions
- Land art artistic challenge competition
- Mosaic workshops
- High Street Art Exhibition
- Music events and a Bar
What will the money raised be spent on?
Clearly all of this involves a great deal of organisation and expense. Each year has been a real challenge to fund, often relying on generous anonymous donations to be able to go ahead. So we’re looking for as much support as possible.
Creative Scotland Crowdmatch
Our project is part of the Creative Scotland Crowdmatch - we are 1 of 20 shortlisted creative projects in Scotland - that have the opportunity to win a share of £80,000 in match funding, up to £10,000 per project.
If we manage to reach our financial goal (which we must!) those funds will be matched by Creative Scotland which would make a huge difference to us. So please watch our film and consider helping to make our event be as ambitious and joyful as we know it can be.
Art by James Craig Page
Art by Laurence Winram
Art by Laurence Winram
Artist Laurence Winram offers 2 x A3 prints from his Winram Gallery as one of the rewards.
Art by Mark Antony Hayden Ford
Rewards
Project Milestones
A big thankyou for supporting us from the ELAF Team
Creative Scotland Crowdmatch 2022 has provided £2,500 of match funding
This project successfully funded on 12th April 2022