Wild Wings of Hope
Bringing together papercraft and traditional storytelling, this project celebrates the epic migration of barn swallows and swifts between Scotland and Africa.
Illustration, Papercut
Wild Wings of Hope
Inspired by the barn swallows that return to my family home each spring, Wild Wings of Hope is a participatory arts project that interweaves papercraft and collaborative storytelling to explore migration, resilience and hope.
Prof Giorgos Tsiris Director of Education & Creative Arts, St Columba’s Hospice Care
“Wild Wings of Hope has had such a positive impact at St Columba’s Hospice Care. The workshops and interactive exhibitions created opportunities for reflection, creativity, and connection."
The Inspiration
- Wild Wings of Hope emerged following the death of my father, who nurtured my lifelong love of birds and the natural world. On the anniversary of his passing, we scattered his ashes in the garden and, on that same day, the swallows returned.
The Idea
- Collaborations with Celtic and African storytellers brought the papercuts to life, connecting cultures through migration, folklore and shared ecological stories.
- Wild Wings of Hope launched at the National Museum of Scotland as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2025 and Black History Month Scotland.
- It expanded from a public museum programme into hospice and dementia-friendly settings through partnerships with St Columba's Hospice Care and Alzheimer Scotland.
The Outcome
- Raised over £4,000 through community crowdfunding to support the development of the project.
- Engaged over 4,800 participants through museums, healthcare settings and international partnerships.
- Hundreds of Messages of Hope were written and shared by participants, creating a growing collective artwork inspired by migration and connection
- The project has grown through partnerships, including Creative Scotland, Immersive Arts, RSPB Scotland, Butterfly Conservation, St Columba's Hospice Care and Alzheimer Scotland