Ward 16, Phase 1, Drawing on the Claypits

Children draw on the car park with chalk.

As part of Glasgow Life’s Creative Communities Artists in Residence programme for Ward 16, Canal, Glasgow Sculpture Studios collaborated with artist Mitch Miller to deliver Drawing on the Claypits.

Mitch’s residency was centred around the redevelopment of the Hamiltonhill Claypits, a space deeply connected to the local community. The project aimed to map the different communities of interest involved in the Claypits, and Mitch co-created a dialectogram (a detailed drawing) with local people. Throughout the project, Mitch helped amplify the stories and perspectives of residents, making them feel more connected to the ongoing changes in their neighbourhood.

The residency also included an oral history training session for local community members, allowing them to capture and preserve their own stories. Mitch worked closely with a youth group to redesign their community space, fostering creative engagement and ownership.

The project culminated in the creation of a large, collaborative map displayed at the Canal Festival. This final piece sparked conversations, encouraged reflection, and invited further involvement in shaping the area’s creative future.

A special thanks to community partners, supporters and contributors: The Grove Young People’s group | Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group | Claypits Management Committee | The Grove Breakfast and Concrete Garden Dinners groups | Hamiltonhill Barbecue | Visitors to the Canal Festival.