A new art project is brightening up Kirkcaldy town centre by filling unused shop windows with original artwork.
Launched in January, the scheme sees art by local artist group Blacksand Contemporary Arts displayed in shops that have been left empty as a result of the credit crunch.
Artist Patricia Bray said that Blacksand Contemporary Arts were “very happy to be approached to take part.” She added, "It provides a great opportunity to put our artwork in the centre of town where it's easily seen by the public and we hope that this is the start of further innovative partnerships with Fife Council."
The project is led by Andrew Walker, economic advisor with council development services, who said, "Shop windows are an ideal place to exhibit art and they are an excellent way of bringing art to a much wider audience. Culture has a unique ability to lift people and places, and will hopefully attract new visitors to the town centre and in turn boost the local economy."
Councillor Brian Goodall, chairman of the housing and communities committee added, "This is a very exciting and unique project for Kirkcaldy and we are pleased that it's one of the first in the Celebrating Fife 2010 year-long programme. I'm very much looking forward to walking the art trail and hope that many others will also feel inspired by the local works of art."
The art has met with mixed reactions from the public. One visitor to the town centre commented, “They should concentrate on new shops and jobs, rather than filling the windows with rubbish”. However, Lesley-Anne, a student at the town’s Adam Smith College said. “I think it’s interesting, and a good use of the space”.
Not everyone has even noticed the art. Several locals asked “What artwork?” when asked their opinion.
There is currently art on show in eight empty shop windows across the town. The displays are varied, with everything from coloured doilies to a range of items found washed up along the Kirkcaldy coastline.
For some, the idea of filling empty windows is appealing, but not what Fife Council has chosen. One Kirkcaldy resident said, “I think it brightens up spaces where there is nothing, but it could have been more imaginative.” Michael, another student at Adam Smith College, said “They should have let students fill the windows instead of what they have done.”
Artist Damon Herd has created a pictorial biography of Kirkcaldy-born engineer and inventor, Sir Sandford Fleming, who invented standard time. The paintings are displayed on the High Street, in the site formerly occupied by Birthdays. The work has proved popular, and as well as brightening up the High Street, it has brought Sir Sandford Fleming to the attention of locals, with one man commenting, “It caught my eye, and I stopped to read it. It’s very interesting.”
For anyone interested in viewing the art, displayed across Kirkcaldy, an art trail leaflet has been produced. Available in public buildings in the town, the leaflet includes a map of the artwork, and detailed information about each display.

Fife has its own growing film business.
The Big Shout Big Films Association was formed in April this year. Funded by First Light, Celebrating Fife, Fife Council, Big Films Association and Media Education, the BFA is for young people aged 8-19 who live in Fife and want to be on either side of the camera.
Since April, teams of young people have worked on three short films. The films had their premiers on May 30 at the Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy. Over 400 people attended to see one of the films receive ‘The Big Films Association Award 2010’.
Duncan Simpson from Fife Council’s Young People’s Services, said, “This event is part of celebrating Fife 2010 and builds on the excellent work of Big Shout Fife’s approach to helping young people find a voice.”
The winning film was Modern Love. A comedy about a young man who sets his friend up on a blind date, the film was made by 24 young people aged between 13 and 19, and was set in Leven, Buckhaven, Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes.
Also competing for the award was Past the Point, and The Spy Who Had Enough.
Set in Cowdenbeath and LochgellY, Past the Point is a drama showing both sides of bullying.
‘The Spy Who Had Enough’ is a spy movie spoof set in South West Fife. The cast and crew were aged between just eight and 12.
The award was presented by Glasgow actor Billy Boyd, who starred in Lord of the Rings. He said “I am really honoured to be part of the Big Shout project. For young people in Scotland to get the chance to make films, to see what that involves, and to see that it’s something that they can realistically do, is a great thing. To be so involved in every aspect of film making, as they seem to be in this project, is truly wonderful, and I hope it will inspire everyone involved to go out and make more films. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the films the young people have been working on and hearing more about how everyone felt about the process and, of course, their ideas for films they’ll be making in the future.”
Councillor Alice Soper, chair of the Kirkcaldy Area Committee, said, “This is the first world premiere held in Fife; it was funded by First Light and Celebrating Fife with Fife Council. Welcome to Kirkcaldy – the Hollywood of Fife!”