The Rotary Club of Rutherglen has financed a community art installation titled 'The Cultural Flow of Immigration' as part of the town's 900th anniversary celebrations. The origami display, now on exhibition at the Rutherglen Exchange shopping centre until August 30, features 900 peace cranes folded from washi paper and threaded onto nine umbrellas illuminated by fairy lights.
Origami Display Symbolizes Hope and Kindness
Dr Janice Ross, president of the Rotary Club of Rutherglen and an origami teacher, spearheaded the project. She explained: 'Regarding the origami display at Rutherglen Exchange it will be exhibited until August 30. The artwork is titled “The Cultural Flow of Immigration”. I was searching for an artistic idea to support Rutherglen 900. Financed with a grant from Rutherglen Rotary Club and help from women of the Nurture Educational and Multicultural Centre on Glasgow Road, where I had previously taught origami classes, I set about manifesting the idea into a reality.'
Nine hundred sheets of washi paper were folded into peace cranes, symbols of hope for peaceful coexistence. They were threaded with thousands of beads in various patterns and tied under umbrella spokes to cascade. Each umbrella represents shelter provided to immigrants over Rutherglen's 900 years, with words of hope attached to each string. Dr Ross added: 'We are all immigrants in a melting pot of humanity. Ultimately, the exhibition is about our human gifts of kindness and our ability to welcome our fellow brothers and sisters.'
Workshops Aim to Create 1000 Peace Cranes
Beginning Wednesday, June 24, from 12pm to 3pm, a series of workshops will be held on July 1 and 8 at Rutherglen Marketplace near the shopping centre entrance. The goal is to fold a thousand peace cranes, a number believed to grant a wish. Jane Cowan, manager at Rutherglen Exchange, said: 'We’re delighted to welcome the origami peace crane workshop team into Rutherglen Exchange Messages boutique over the summer as part of the Rutherglen 900 celebrations. Their creativity has already brought so much colour and community spirit into the centre, and we’re proud to give them a home while they continue this beautiful project. The team is now aiming to reach 1000 cranes, a number that carries special meaning in many cultures — symbolising hope, healing, peace and good fortune. It feels like the perfect message for our town in this milestone year.'
Installation Previously Displayed at Revolve
The installation was originally created for the opening of Rutherglen 900 and displayed at the Revolve shop for several months. Dr Ross noted: 'It was in Revolve, we made it for the opening of Rutherglen 900 and then we were like, well where is it going? So Revolve took it and they had it in their shop for a few months, in the window, it was great, people were coming in and asking to buy it, could they buy just one of the umbrellas. It’s now gone to Rutherglen Exchange so I’m really hoping that with the work that went into it, it can go somewhere after Rutherglen Exchange.'
