Latest news with #BeneaththeWaves
Daily Record
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Irvine community enjoys 'Scales of the World' street procession and theatre
A theatrical performance, street procession and book launch was hosted at the Scottish Maritime Museum in partnership with The Nature Library. The Irvine Harbourside community came together to see 'Scales of the World', an electrifying theatrical performance, street procession and book launch hosted at the Scottish Maritime Museum in partnership with The Nature Library. The 'Scales of the World' event has been created by artist Alex Rigg and his colourful dance-theatre company Oceanallover, which captivated everyone through music, dance, costume, prose and poetry and invited them to explore their place in the world. The 'Scales of the World' event was also a celebration of the launch of a limited edition handbound book, written by Alex Rigg and bound by Gillian Stewart of Juju Books. The performance was led by a mythical reptilian being before returning to The Nature Library for a talk on the handbound book. The audience also enjoyed discounted admission to the Museum for the rest of the day. Eva Bukowska, Exhibitions and Events Officer at the Scottish Maritime Museum, said: "The Museum is always looking for exciting and innovative new ways to explore our maritime environment and heritage and this live performance by Oceanallover was wonderfully moving and thought-provoking. "We're grateful to Christina and The Nature Library, Alex Rigg and Oceanallover and Gillian Stewart of Juju Books for making this event happen. "We look forward to hosting similar events in the future." The Nature Library founder and creative artist, Christina Riley, added: "The Nature Library aims to celebrate the natural world at a time when it needs our attention the most, and Oceanallover and Juju Books certainly got our attention. "Not only did they bring a unique performance and exquisite book to Irvine, they also gathered the community together for a good story and I'm delighted that we could host it with the Scottish Maritime Museum. "I hope it's not the last time we have a cellist in the library." Oceanallover is a collaborative collective presenting imaginative work in unusual locations. Their subject matter is often linked to global, ecological and philosophical concerns, encouraging the public to look more deeply at who and what they are. The 'Scales of the World' project, which also includes an album, complements the Scottish Maritime Museum's Summer exhibition, 'Beneath the Waves', which also features work by The Nature Library founder and artist Christina Riley. 'Beneath the Waves', features award-winning underwater photography, underwater drawings and rare pottery recovered from a shipwreck off Arran, celebrates the extraordinary world beneath the ocean's surface. The Scottish Maritime Museum is open daily from 10am until 5pm. Up to three children go FREE with each Adult/Concession ticket.
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- Science
- Daily Record
North Ayrshire Provost officially opens Scottish Maritime Museum's summer exhibition
'Beneath the Waves' brings together a historic ceramic collection recovered from the shipwrecked SS Eagle by Graeme Bruce, award-winning photography by Lawson Wood and detailed marine sketches by Christina Riley. North Ayrshire Provost Anthea Dickson officially opened the Scottish Maritime Museum's summer exhibition, 'Beneath the Waves'. The Provost joined Matthew Bellhouse Moran, Executive Director, and Eva Bukowska, Exhibitions and Events Officer of the Scottish Maritime Museum to mark the opening of the colourful exhibition which celebrates the extraordinary world beneath the ocean's surface. Also present were exhibition collaborators Oban-based diver and maritime explorer Graeme Bruce, renowned underwater photographer, marine conservationist and writer Lawson Wood and Ayrshire underwater artist and writer Christina Riley. The exhibition is the first time that the collection of rare 19 th century ceramics recovered from the 1857 iron steamship SS Eagle off Lamlash Bay, Arran, last year, have been on public display. The ceramics were made by Glasgow-based Bell's Pottery. In the 19 th century, Glasgow was a major centre for the production of ceramics and Bell's Pottery was arguably the most internationally significant producer of ceramic wares in Scotland at that time. Lawson Wood's award-winning photography reveals the captivating world of marine life and ranges from colourful tropical fish and seals to corals and anemone. Christina Riley's work focuses on the small details of complex and beautiful marine ecosystems. The exhibition features a selection of photographs and pencil drawings created during her time as a snorkelling-artist-in-residence at the Argyll Hope Spot. Part of the global Mission Blue initiative led by the renowned oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, the Hope Spots project highlights areas critical to the health of the ocean. Other Hope Spots include the Galapagos Islands and Great Barrier Reef. Complementing the SS Eagle ceramics, 'Beneath the Waves' also features cups and plates from the Scottish Maritime Museum's own national maritime heritage collection as well as four vessels dating back to the Roman Empire on loan from North Ayrshire Heritage Centre. Visitors can also learn more about free diving and how this ancient practice has advanced our understanding of marine archaeology and conservation. Admission to 'Beneath the Waves' is included in museum admission. The museum is open daily 10am – 5pm. Up to three children go FREE with each Adult/Concession ticket.
Glasgow Times
07-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow pottery found in shipwreck goes on display
Names like Deltfield in Anderston, The Caledonian Pottery and Bell's Pottery were just some of the companies producing stoneware, earthenware and bone china using locally sourced clays. Their products travelled the globe but have almost been forgotten since the kilns closed down and the buildings were demolished. Pottery class, Glasgow, 1952 (Image: Newsquest) A little piece of Glasgow history is returning, however, as a collection of rare 19th century ceramics recovered from a shipwreck go on display for the first time. The Beneath the Waves exhibition, which goes on show in the Scottish Maritime Museum's Linthouse building on Irvine Harbourside from today (June 7) will include the pottery salvaged from the wreck of the 1857 iron steamship SS Eagle off Lamlash Bay in Arran las year. The exhibition brings together the historic ceramic collection, award-winning underwater photography and an artist's detailed marine sketches to celebrate the extraordinary world beneath the ocean's surface. A washing bowl made by Bell's Pottery, retrieved from the SS Eagle (Image: Beneath the Waves) The SS Eagle ceramics, which were discovered by Oban-based diver and maritime explorer Graeme Bruce and team in July 2024, were made by Glasgow's Bell's Pottery. Established by brothers John and Matthew Perston Bell in late 1840 or 1841, it is recognised as arguably the most internationally significant producer of ceramic wares in Scotland at the time. It sat at the corner of Stafford Street and Pulteney Street, close to the Forth and Clyde Canal which was used to transport goods and raw materials. Graeme Bruce (Image: Beneath the Waves) According to the Scottish Pottery Society, Bell's Pottery export wares have been found as far afield as South America, the Far East, Australia and Canada. The last piece of Bell's Pottery was probably made around 1912. The SS Eagle collection features ceramics destined for trade and exhibition in Londonderry, Northern Island, and artefacts from the ship's galley. A piece of Bell's Pottery ceramic ware (Image: Beneath the Waves) Exhibits include seven plates and a bowl, a teapot lid and two bottles which still hold 'sparkling water' in addition to a decanter and bell. Beneath the Waves also features cups and plates from the Scottish Maritime Museum's own national maritime heritage collection as well as four vessels dating back to the Roman Empire on loan from North Ayrshire Heritage Centre. Eva Bukowska, exhibitions and events officer at the Scottish Maritime Museum, said: 'We are really excited to host the first showing of these fascinating ceramics recovered from SS Eagle. "The vessel also has a significance for the Museum as it was built by Alexander Denny, who was the brother of William Denny, whose test tank is now home to our second collection in Dumbarton.' The SS Eagle was acquired by the McConnel and Laird Line of Glasgow in June 1859 for service as a passenger and cargo vessel. Just five months later, on November 28, 1859, it sank after colliding with a sailing boat, the Pladda, while en route from Glasgow to Londonderry. Eleven lives were lost. Graeme Bruce added: 'Diving has been my great passion for 35 years. 'For me, a shipwreck is a 'time capsule' hidden from view over time by the sea. The privilege of being able to explore and connect with the past is beyond description. 'Enabling the artefacts from shipwrecks like this Bell's Pottery collection to then have a new life on show for everyone to learn from and appreciate is so important.' Beneath the Waves has been curated in collaboration with renowned underwater photographer, marine conservationist and writer Lawson Wood; diver, maritime explorer and retired engineer Graeme Bruce; and Ayrshire underwater artist and writer Christina Riley. It runs until September 13.
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
New community exhibition at Irvine's Scottish Maritime Museum calls out fast fashion for World Ocean Day
Museum is bringing together charities, community organisations and small businesses that are already working locally to help protect the environment and reduce the impact on the planet A thought-provoking intergenerational community exhibition challenging everyone to help look after our planet opens at the Scottish Maritime Museum on Irvine Harbourside on Saturday, June 7. The 'Trashion' exhibition, which also celebrates World Ocean Day on Sunday, June 8, has been curated by a group from Irvine Seniors Forum and Discovery Group and Irvine Youth Legacy Centre with the support of the museum team. The exhibition, which centres on 'fashion art' pieces created using rubbish, explores the marine pollution emergency caused by industry, fast fashion and our own personal choices and invites everyone to think about the small changes we can all make in response. 'Trashion' has been made possible by the additional support of environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful and their Our Heritage, Our Future programme. The exhibition opening also takes place as part of the Museum's 'Dive In Day', a wider day of free activities promoting World Ocean Day, and alongside the opening of the Museum's new Summer exhibition, 'Beneath the Waves'. Jennifer Pless, Community Engagement and Development Officer at the Scottish Maritime Museum, said: "It has been hugely rewarding to work with members of Irvine Seniors Forum and Discovery Group and Irvine Youth Legacy Centre on our latest community-led exhibition. "The group has made a hard-hitting but encouraging and personal statement with 'Trashion'. "Together, they took ideas and themes from the museum's maritime heritage and arts collections and added their own thoughts on climate change to create outfits that tell a story about our impact on the environment and their hope to make a difference in everyone's daily actions." Katie O'Donnell, Communities Manager at Keep Scotland Beautiful, added: "We know that clothing is the most environmentally damaging type of household waste and our Upstream Battle campaign has highlighted the damage caused to our precious blue spaces by our consumption habits. "We were delighted to bring our knowledge together through Our Heritage, Our Future to support the members of Irvine Seniors Forum and Discovery Group and Irvine Youth Legacy Centre to realise their vision of creating an exhibition to draw attention to the urgency of climate change, particularly in this vulnerable coastal area." Our Heritage, Our Future is working with communities across Scotland to explore, record and protect their heritage, and to take action locally on the impacts of climate change. Keep Scotland Beautiful worked alongside the Scottish Maritime Museum during the project to support skills development by delivering an accredited qualification in building exhibitions. The 'Dive In Day' takes place on Saturday, June 7 from 11am until 4pm. Highlights include a sustainability fair, a pop-up repair shop and short, guided cycle tours led by Active Travel as well as free entry to the museum and the two new exhibitions, 'Beneath the Waves' and 'Trashion'. The free Dive-in Sustainability Fair will showcase local and regional organisations, charities and small businesses advocating for the environment or using business practices that actively reduce their impact on the planet. Participants include Keep Scotland Beautiful, RSPB, Ayrshire Coastal Path and Irvine Clean Up Crew. The Active Travel Hub will also be on hand offering short, guided cycle tours and balance bike sessions. Visitors will also be able to bring along clothing and small electrical items to a pop-up repair shop. The Scottish Maritime Museum has also joined the global 'Agency for World Change' initiative, a global museums initiative which invites everyone to think about the small actions they can take to protect our oceans and the planet. During the day, and over the Summer months, visitors will be able to add their personal sustainability pledges to an 'Agency for World Change Agreement', describing how they aim to make small changes in their everyday life to live more ecologically. 'Beneath the Waves' explores the extraordinary world beneath the ocean's surface with award-winning underwater photography, exquisite marine sketches and rare Glasgow Pottery recovered from a shipwreck off Arran last year. The exhibition has been curated in collaboration with renowned underwater photographer, marine conservationist and writer Lawson Wood; diver and maritime explorer Graeme Bruce; and Ayrshire underwater artist and writer Christina Riley. Entry to 'Trashion', which runs until August 3, is included in museum admission.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Public to see Arran shipwreck pottery for first time
Pieces of rare 19th Century pottery - which were recovered from a shipwreck off the coast of Arran - are to go on display for the first time. The ceramics were discovered by diver Graeme Bruce, 65, from Oban in the wreck of the SS Eagle, a mile from Lamlash Bay, last July. The ship - an early steamboat - was heading to Ireland when it sank in 1859 after colliding with another vessel. Eleven people died. Several artefacts made by the Glasgow-based Bell's Pottery will appear in the Scottish Maritime Museum's Summer exhibition which opens in Irvine on Saturday. Graeme, a retired engineer, and the team of seven other divers, were 53 metres beneath the surface when they spotted the treasure trove of rare pottery. Most of the ship had rusted away but the cargo was lying well preserved in the mud. In the 19th century, Glasgow was a major centre for the production of ceramics and rivalled the Staffordshire potteries. Bell's Pottery is recognised as arguably the most internationally significant producer of ceramic wares in Scotland at the time. The haul on the SS Eagle is an unprecedented example of an almost intact cargo of 19th century Glaswegian ceramics. The SS Eagle's ceramics cargo was destined for trade and exhibition in Londonderry. Exhibits include seven plates and a bowl, a teapot lid and two bottles which still hold 'sparkling water' in addition to a decanter and bell. Eva Bukowska, exhibitions and events officer at the Scottish Maritime Museum, said: "We are really excited to host the first showing of these fascinating ceramics recovered from SS Eagle. "The vessel also has a significance for the museum as it was built by Alexander Denny, who was the brother of William Denny, whose test tank is now home to our second collection in Dumbarton." Graeme Bruce said: "Diving has been my great passion for 35 years. "For me, a shipwreck is a 'time capsule' hidden from view over time by the sea. The privilege of being able to explore and connect with the past is beyond description. "Enabling the artefacts from shipwrecks like this Bell's Pottery collection to then have a new life on show for everyone to learn from and appreciate is so important. "Connecting people with a heritage like this means everything to me and those I dive with." The SS Eagle launched from the Dumbarton yard of Alexander Denny in July 1857. The 324-tonne steamer was acquired by the McConnel and Laird Line of Glasgow in June 1859 for service as a passenger and cargo vessel. Just five months later, on 28 November 1859, SS Eagle sank after colliding with a sailing ship, the Pladda, whilst en route from Glasgow to Londonderry with a general cargo, 200 sheep and 54 passengers. According to the Scottish Pottery Society, Bell's Pottery export wares have been found as far afield as South America, the Far East, Australia and Canada. The last piece of Bell's Pottery was probably made around 1912. The Beneath the Waves exhibition, in the museum's Linthouse building in Irvine, also features award-winning underwater photography and an artist's detailed marine sketches. It runs from Saturday 7 June to Saturday 13 September. Divers discover treasure trove of old Glasgow pottery
