Education projects were run during the course of the project with a view to engaging the interest and views of young people, staff and general public. Projects relating specifically to some of the arts commissions were also set up to introduce children to the ideas and processes behind some of the work. It is intended that education projects are devised on an ongoing basis with
patients and school children.

Young Advisers Group
The Young Advisers Group, made up of pupil representatives from seven schools in Aberdeen and the shires, was set up in 1997. Starting off with a two day conference where over 60 children took part, the group contributed invaluable advice and ideas towards the arts brief. A massive range of ideas emerged,
from glass walkways and rainbow fountains to themed wards, bespoke nurses’ uniforms and sculptural seating. Many of these ideas informed the arts strategy and artists’ briefs. At various stages throughout the project, members of the group were consulted to gauge their views.

Sculptural Seating resource pack for secondary schools
Developed in collaboration with Aberdeen City Council Education department, a resource pack documenting the step by step processes behind Allan Watson’s sculptural seating commission offers an invaluable insight into the commissioning process for pupils and staff.

Sculpture workshops run by Lucy Casson
Lucy brought to light the processes and techniques behind her renowned sculptures made from recycled materials through a series of three day workshops with pupils from feeder primary and secondary schools in the city. The pupils created an imaginative range of pieces from tin cans and biscuit tins and the resulting work was exhibited at the Children’s Hospital.

Miniature Garden project
In response to the Ontological Garden (the garden of imaginary trees created by Dalziel + Scullion for the hospital courtyard), a miniature garden project was set up, run by Jean Moncrieff. Eight Aberdeen primary schools took part in the project which involved visits to the hospital to view the sculptures, drawing workshops, followed by the creation of miniature imaginary gardens using found objects. A great deal of imagination went into the gardens, which were made up of materials as varied as lentils, driftwood, wire wool, beads, to edible items such as rice
crackers, hamster mix and, in one case, mini sausages painted silver! The project culminated in an exhibition at the Children’s Hospital and Summerhill Education Centre, Aberdeen.

Postcard Journey workshops
Leading on from Jane Watt’s Postcard Journey project, pupils from two selected schools – one by the coast and in the city and one in a rural location near the mountains – corresponded with each other using the format of the postcard. Writing, drawing and painting workshops were held in both schools, co-ordinated by David Atherton with Gill Clunas. Pupils created their own cards, using the standard postcard template. The uniformity of size contrasted dramatically with the colourful and imaginative assortment of images. Each pupil in the respective classes used the opportunity of the project to tell the pupils in the partner school something about their life or/and locale.

Workshops were also held with some of the patients at the hospital resulting in a three way exchange of cards and thoughts across Aberdeenshire using the standard postal service. The cards were then exhibited in the Children’s Hospital.