SSW co-directors Ruaridh Allen, Sara Gallie and Sam Trotman, image credit: Felicity CrawshawSSW is thrilled to have recently welcomed new members to the team and for existing team members to take on new roles. First up, Ruaridh Allen is our new co-director at SSW, completing our Multi-Voiced Leadership team. Ruaridh joins as the first Technical Director of SSW, accompanying Sara Gallie (Finance and Governance Director) and Sam Trotman (Programme & Partnerships Director). Ruaridh joined SSW in Summer 2024 as Technical Manager on a 12 month pathway to this role. Over his past year […]
Image credit: Felicity CrawshawAnna Lomas (she/her)Programme Producer Anna is Programme Producer at SSW where she manages our Artists’ Residency programme and organisational communications. She is committed to supporting artists and to values led programming. Prior to joining SSW, Anna led on festival programmes, events and projects across the UK including at Wild Rumpus and Platform. She studied Painting and Printmaking at Glasgow School of Art, and was subsequently involved in artist-led activity, including joining the committees at Market Gallery and the inaugural Glasgow Open […]
Image credit: Felicity CrawshawJo Northedge (she/her)Communities Producer Jo is SSW’s Communities Producer who works collaboratively within Lumsden and surrounding areas to manage our Community Making Space Programme. Jo is driven by the power of making and how creativity can bring people together, strengthen communities, and inspire change. She brings experience in community and youth engagement, a strong commitment to inclusive and collaborative practice, and a belief that art has the potential to connect us to one another and to the places we stay within. […]
Our monthly Clay Socials are a chance for Lumsden residents to get together and learn or improve their clay skills. These relaxed creative sessions will start with an introduction to some basic clay techniques and offer plenty of time to work on their own creations. Snacks and refreshments provided all materials, consumables and firing are free. Clay Socials are only open to people living in Lumsden, Honeybarrel, Mossat and Kildrummy. Next Clay Social dates: 25 April – Sports day themed […]
Image credit: SSWJoin us every Wednesday evening from 6-8pm for The Mid Week Make — a new series of free creative sessions where we come together to explore materials, learn new skills, and connect with one another. Each week focuses on a different process or technique, led by artists, local makers and the SSW team. No experience is needed, and all materials, tools, snacks and refreshments are provided. These sessions are open to all — children and young people are welcome but […]
Image credit: Felicity CrawshawCome to SSW every Thursday from 11am–1pm for our Thursday Club — a relaxed space to explore materials, share skills, and enjoy making together. These weekly sessions invite you to try out different processes, learn from one another, and connect with local knowledge about the land and the materials around us. Together, we’ll learn and make things inspired by the changing seasons. Between October and December we will develop the SSW Materials Garden and work with a range of locally […]
Image credit: SSWSaturday 1 November 20256-8pm Free Join us for a night to remember – jam packed with ghoulish games, petrifying prizes and monstrous music in the Lumsden Village Hall. Come along in your creepy costumes and show off your ghastly grooves and frightful footwork on the dance floor. Also check out the hand-made decorations and artworks made by young artists created during the SSW Kids October Holiday Club. Prizes for: best carved pumpkin or neep, costumes and more…Tasty treats, scary snacks and […]
Image credit: SSWWednesday 22 October – Friday 24 October 202510am – 1.30pm Free Booking Essential Come and have a fang-tastic time in the Community Making Space at SSW preparing for Halloween. Join us to design and make costumes, props and creepy critters. Working together, supported by artists, we will be using a range of fun and messy materials to decorate Lumsden Village Hall for the annual Halloween Party. Anyone who is aged between 7-14 is welcome to attend these free sessions. Snacks and lunch […]
Our 2025/26 courses programme kicked off in July with our week-long Glaze Intensive, followed by the first of our Long Weekend courses Introduction to Stone Carving and brand new Woodfiring Intensive both taking place this September. During the day, participants were able to get to grips with new materials and processes in the SSW workshops and yard, with comprehensive technical support from our experienced and knowledgeable team. Following learning and experimentation in our workshop spaces, in the evenings, there was […]
We are excited to finally share with you images of our newly renovated bothy and landscaped areas at SSW.We completed the bothy in March 2025 and it has since been well used by artists and our local community. The bothy is the social heart of the SSW site, a space where resident artists cook, relax and generally hang out when not in the workshops. It also hosts community workshops and events outwith residencies and provides an inviting and comfortable space […]
Scottish Charity Number: SC003223