I recently took part in Arran Open Studios and designed an interactive art trail on the theme of Creation. The idea was to bring the familiar Bible verses from Genesis to new life for people here and now. The context was Sannox Christian Centre and all ages of folk were invited to be a part of the experience.

Around 60 folk took part in the trail over the long weekend of 14-17 August 2026, some from the local community of Arran and several visitors to the island from other parts of Scotland and the world.

The chapel at Sannox, which has been restored to a beautiful functional building since 2012. Each year the Centre invites an artist to show their work in the context of the chapel and grounds and I was privileged to be the artist for 2026.

Day One 

Genesis 1:1-3 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. 

Then God said “Let there be light”; and there was light. 

We encounter darkness in our lives; in these times, what brings you light ? Experience darkness before light!

Day Two 

Genesis 1:6/8 – “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters”. And God called the expanse heaven. 

Is heaven atmosphere, the air we breathe ?  Is it all that is beyond earth: space, the planets, the unknown ? 

…the waters above from the waters below

Day Three 

Genesis 1:9/10 – “let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”…and God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas. 

Earth is our home, and with the seas, the place which nurtures all the life that ever has been and will be, all connected together.  What things can you find nearby to put on this map of Arran ? 

Day Four 

Genesis 1:14/16 – “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and seasons and days and years. And God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night. He made the stars also. 

We see everything by the light of the sun and moon. If we understand them, the stars can show us where we are and guide us to new places. Add a star to the frame. 

Tobias and Elijah add stars to the heavens

Day Five 

Genesis 1:20 – “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.” 

The birds brought song into the world—perhaps the first ever sounds to be heard.  Gently ring the bells, looking at the different birds they represent.  Enjoy the movement of the fish. 

Sounds and movement are closely related in the energy of creation

Day Six 

Genesis 1:24/27 – “Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind.” 

And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them. 

v.31  And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. 

The animals are known by God, just as we humans are known to him.  Add your hand prints to the cloth, or print animal tracks. 

Enjoying the peace found inside the chapel

Day Seven 

Genesis 2:2 – And by the seventh day God completed His work which he had done; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which he had done. 

To rest is to be restored, to reflect, and to refocus on what is important.  Take time to do this in the centre of the labyrinth. 

Brotherly love (!) in the centre of the labyrinth

The simple labyrinth represents the importance of rest and contemplation after creative exertion or effort – something that we learn from God himself and a way of letting go of the baggage of ordinary life…

God looked at what He had made and saw that it was VERY good – and that includes us!