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Author Archives: cam-biddell

Blacksmithing Induction with Technican Jimmy, image credit: SSW

2026 Group Residency 1: In Pictures

It was wonderful to welcome artists Alex Sarkisian (Scotland), Breanne Johnson (Mexico), Claye Bowler (England), Ocean Lorraine (USA) and Ruby Allen (Scotland) to SSW in June and July, as our first cohort of artists selected for Group Residency 2026. Over the course of their month-long residency, the group had inductions and support in ceramics, metalwork, blacksmithing and stonework. Alongside developing their practices in the workshops & studio, the group took part in a collective programme of walks, sauna, films night, […]

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News 11:41 am , August 31, 2026 Comments Off on 2026 Group Residency 1: In Pictures
Katie Schwab in the SSW Ceramics Studio, image credit: SSW

Caregivers Residency Blog: Katie Schwab

Katie Schwab, one of the five 2025 SSW x Counterflows Caregivers Residency artists, reflects on her time here at SSW in February, 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. Words and images below by Katie Schwab. Final image by Mike Bolam. — My caregiving experience has been characterised by family illness, birth and death in close succession. This residency opened up a […]

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Artists / News / Residencies / Residency / Residency 5:33 pm , August 28, 2026 Comments Off on Caregivers Residency Blog: Katie Schwab
Image credit: Felicity Crawshaw

SSW Open Weekend 2026

We are excited to announce SSW’s Open Weekend 2026. Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 10am – 4pmDrop in making sessions: Saturday, 10am – 12 midday and 2pm – 4pm Come along to SSW and check out what some of our local artists and makers have been up to in the workshops. There will be an opportunity to meet a wide range of local artists, see some of our workshop spaces and take part in some relaxed making sessions in […]

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News 5:32 pm , August 28, 2026 Comments Off on SSW Open Weekend 2026
Shiori Usui in the SSW Ceramics Studio, image credit: SSW

Caregivers Residency Blog: Shiori Usui

Shiori Usui, 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. Words, images and video below by Shiori Usui. — Wow, what intense but magnificent days they were. Thinking back to the days I spent on the Caregiver’s Residency at Counterflows Festival and SSW, these […]

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Artists / News / Residencies / Residency / Residency 5:19 pm , July 31, 2026 Comments Off on Caregivers Residency Blog: Shiori Usui
Ellie Ballantine in the SSW Ceramics Studio, image credit: SSW

Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities (SGSAH) Artist Residency Blog: Ellie Ballantine

Artist and Researcher Ellie Ballantine shares observations and insight into her time working at SSW on a Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities (SGSAH) Artist Residency. Over 3 months Ellie worked both on site in Lumsden and remotely, to explore Regenerative Materials and Community Knowledge within Arts Practice, alongside SSW’s Materials Garden and Community Making Space programme. Words and images below by Ellie Ballantine — sitka spruce growing from a bench at SSW early Marchsnowdrops not yet outflowering white […]

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Artists / News / Residencies / Residency / Residency 5:18 pm , July 31, 2026 Comments Off on Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities (SGSAH) Artist Residency Blog: Ellie Ballantine
SSW's new electric forklift with SSW team members and ceramic subscribers, image credit: SSW

SSW Has A New Electric Forklift

We are excited to have a new electric forklift at SSW replacing our old diesel Lansing which has been at SSW since we began in 1979. The new electric forklift is part of our Big Shift programme supporting SSW’s work to reduce emissions and create a healthier workshop environment for everyone. It has already been put to work shifting large bags of compost and planters in the Materials Garden and moving heavy equipment such as the raku kiln and deliveries of materials. A big thank […]

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Artists / News / Residencies / Residency / Residency 3:33 pm , July 24, 2026 Comments Off on SSW Has A New Electric Forklift
Belladonna sgraffitoing onto a ceramic work, image credit: SSW

Caregivers Residency Blog: Belladonna Paloma

Belladonna 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. Words and images below by Belladonna Paloma. — The tension between play and production was a big theme for me at SSW. As a carer for my partner I try to squirrel away time […]

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Artists / News / Residencies / Residency / Residency 12:03 pm , May 29, 2026 Comments Off on Caregivers Residency Blog: Belladonna Paloma
Image courtesy of the artist, Josie KO

Summer Holiday Kids Club 2026

Monday 27 July – Friday 31 July 202610am-1.30pmFreeBooking essentialKids club is only open to people living in Lumsden, Honeybarrel, Mossat, Towie and Kildrummy. 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.  Over 5 days young people will work with Josie and the SSW team to build a number of monumental […]

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Community Making Space 3:58 pm , May 26, 2026 Comments Off on Summer Holiday Kids Club 2026
Foot wedging clay, image credit: SSW

Clay Socials – Spring/Summer 2026

A 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 […]

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Uncategorised 3:52 pm , May 26, 2026 Comments Off on Clay Socials – Spring/Summer 2026
Dead Hedging with Jimmy from Cults Croft, image credit: SSW

Thursday Club – Spring/Summer 2026

Join 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. […]

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Community Making Space 3:45 pm , May 26, 2026 Comments Off on Thursday Club – Spring/Summer 2026