Belladonna sgraffitoing onto a ceramic work, image credit: SSWBelladonna Paloma, one of the five 2025 SSW x Counterflows Caregivers Residency artists, reflects on her time here at SSW in April and May. The SSW x Counterflows Caregivers Residency was set up in 2020 to expand funded residency opportunities to artists who are also caregivers. The 2026 SSW x Counterflows Caregivers Residency Open Call is live from 30 April and the deadline for applications is Friday 12 June 2026, midday. Words and images below by Belladonna Paloma. — The […]
Paper Kiln Making at Kids Club, image credit: SSWMonday 27 July – Friday 31 July 202610am-1.30pm FreeBooking essential We round off our Spring/Summer Programme with our popular Summer Holiday Kids Club led by artist Josie KO. Josie has spent time in Lumsden on Residency and is back to work on some monumental ideas and objects with us. Kids Club is open to 7-14 year olds and runs across five days during the summer holidays. Throughout the week, young people will explore creative making activities with Josie through a […]
Foot wedging clay, image credit: SSWA place where pottery meets the pub!Come and join us once a month from 6–8pm for an evening of getting together with neighbours and having fun with all things clay. These relaxed creative sessions will introduce different clay techniques including making stamps and sprigs, press moulding and creating pots for the garden, while offering plenty of time to work on your own creations. If you haven’t used clay before don’t worry, no experience is required. Snacks and refreshments are provided […]
Dead Hedging with Jimmy from Cults Croft, image credit: SSWJoin us every Thursday from 11/11.30am-1.30pm for a daytime programme of shared making, conversation and learning connected to the SSW Materials Garden. Working with the changing season, the programme uses the garden as an ongoing space for learning through growing, gathering and making with natural materials. This summer, sessions will focus on planting and caring for the garden while also using materials grown and gathered over previous seasons to explore processes such as plant dyeing and working with natural fibres. […]
Glass fusing with Hazel MacLennan, image credit: SSWThe Mid Week Make is an evening programme that takes place on Wednesdays from 6-8pm and brings people together to experiment with creative materials, try new processes and spend time making alongside one another. This season’s sessions explore a range of processes including making cordage using natural fibres and plant materials to woodblock printing, wheel throwing and glass fusing through relaxed, hands-on sessions led by artists and local makers. No experience is needed and all materials, food and refreshments are […]
Image credit: Felicity CrawshawIntro The stonecarving workshop is outside in the courtyard. It is accessed by going across the courtyard and into the sheltered outdoor area. The stonecarving workshop offers hand-carving processes with manual tools. The stonecarving technician is Lewis. PPE You are required to wear a boiler suit and safety glasses. A dust mask and protective gloves are optional. You are required to remove boiler suits before entering kitchen spaces to prevent the spread of dust in areas where food is prepared. […]
Plaster room, image credit: Felicity CrawshawIntro The plaster room is situated at the back of the barn-like building that houses the metal fabrication workshop. This is where you can make plaster moulds. The building can be accessed via the courtyard and has three entrances: Large double doors in the courtyard which offers close to level access apart from a 1 inch metal lip to navigate. A single door in the courtyard across from the main entrance which has one shallow step. A single door down […]
Image credit: Felicity CrawshawIntro The Bothy is where the shared kitchen lives which is used by artists who are staying on site, artists who are visiting for the day as well as staff. It contains: The Bothy has a large table and lots of chairs. It is a flexible communal space that is used for working on laptops, reading and meetings. It also contains a small laundry room with a washing machine, tumble dryer and drying rack and an accessible toilet. Entrance To […]
Bothy Level-Access Accommodation, image credit: Felicity Crawshaw Intro This is the level-access step-free accommodation at SSW. It is attached to the Bothy kitchen which is the shared kitchen and dining space. It is accessible via the side entrance from the main road or from the courtyard. The door has a key-code lock. Practical Notes The room has underfloor heating and a radiator and the temperature of the room can be easily adjusted on a wall mounted thermostat in the corridor. There is a wall mounted pulldown clothing […]
2026 is the 6th year of the SSW and Counterflows collaboration, offering vital residency opportunities to Scotland based artists who are also caregivers. We are delighted to offer 4 Fully Funded Residencies in 2026, thanks to generous support of the William Grant Foundation and Creative Scotland. The SSW x Counterflows Caregivers Residency offers: This residency recognises that the care of others is central to the collective survival of our world yet is deeply undervalued within our society. This is often […]
Scottish Charity Number: SC003223