Textile artist shows her support for COAST

Helen Ross is part of a group, called Fibre Transformations, that regularly exhibit their work. The group is made up of five members who trained together for five years and who live across East Anglia in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

At their last exhibition in Colchester last October, the theme was “Rewilding” which struck a cord with Helen who said: “As I started to research rewilding, sea rewilding gave me a very specific interest. I grew up by the sea and it is special to me.

“When I read about the COASTs work in Lamlash, I knew I wanted to complete my piece to promote the work of COAST. I remember, on a previous visit, walking on the cliffs above Lamlash and seeing where the work of COAST was making an impact - the water was so clear.

“I am a firm believer in trying to support our planet in whatever way I can and as such the piece I am donating is all recycled and reused things I already had.

At an informal handing over ceremony, Helen presented the artwork to COAST’s Jenny Crockett and Lily Holbrook at the Discovery centre in Lamlash. Lily told the Banner: "We feel honoured that Helen has chosen to donate her beautiful artwork to COAST. It’s a beautiful representation of Arran’s marine life and we can’t wait to have this on display at our offices for the community to enjoy."

The donated artwork is made from recycled materials that Helen already had. It includes marine life that has prospered in Lamlash Bay thanks to COAST’s conservation work.