Wall mosaic based on Vincent van Gogh unveiled in hideaway garden at Clay Studio in Inverness

In a hideaway garden in Inverness, raised beds are being prepared for planting, new seating areas have been installed and a pizza oven is on order.

The Grant Street Community Garden in Merkinch is a tranquil oasis which has been created by young people on a previously derelict and overgrown piece of land.

After two years’ hard work, the gates were opened to unveil a stunning and vibrant artwork - a mosaic based on artist Vincent van Gogh which has been collectively designed and created.

Grant Street Community Garden in Inverness to open gates

The Clay Studio appeals for donations of art and craft supplies

The garden has been created at the back of The Clay Studio, a small charity which focuses on youth work, community development, promoting art and providing rentable 24-hour affordable art spaces to enable accessibility to local artists and creators.

It also runs an affordable weekly youth club, classes with adults and with young people with additional support needs, one-to-one clay-building classes, an after school garden, and other projects,.

Johanne Kemp, manager of the Clay Studio, said the garden has been two years in the making and has been created under the guidance of Alex Gladwin who has worked with with pupils from Inverness High School and others.

“It has been hard work,” she said.

“It has been a team effort and I think it looks amazing.”

It will be used by groups at the Clay Studio but it is hoped local residents will also be able to enjoy it.

“Ideally, we would have it open to the public daily so they can come in and sit and enjoy the surroundings, or come in and learn new skills,” Johanne said.

“That would be our goal but we are such a small team.”

Alex explained that before work started, the area was badly overgrown and uneven.

Once it had been cleared, she worked with pupils at Inverness High School to come up with a design to grow food.

“There is space for growing plants,” she said.

“It had to be sustainable as well as accessible as we have a lot of people with additional support needs.”

It has been planted with fruit trees and bushes as well as other plants while a shed and greenhouse have been installed along with raised beds, a bug hotel, water butt, seating and even a tiki bar.

“We are trying to maximise the space to make it as productive as possible,” said Alex who outlined the benefits of having access to outdoor space.

“It is a really important thing to be in nature.

“Whether you enjoy gardening or not, it is nice to have somewhere to sit and have a cuppa.”

A wall mosaic based on the work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo was installed last year in a collective project while a second mosaic based on Vincent van Gogh has now been created.

Community artist Sally Purdy, who led the project involving young people, said it had started with a design session and everyone who took part had worked on a section of the mosaic.

“They were so committed to creating it and came to every single session,” she said.

“What you find is that it becomes more than just about creating a mosaic. It has so many benefits such as the social aspect.”

She felt it was particularly appropriate that it was based on Vincent van Gogh who found nature was a source of comfort and creativity during periods of mental ill health.

It was also unveiled just before the anniversary of his birth - March 30 1853.

Ksawier Chwalek, a young leader at the youth club, has been involved in the project.

“I think my favourite parts of the garden are the mosaics and the tiki bar,” he said.

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