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Author Archives: cam-biddell

Photo by Felicity Crawshaw

Sam Trotman

Sam Trotman (she/her)Programme & Partnerships Director Sam Trotman is the Programme and Partnership Director at SSW and forms part of its new co-leadership model alongside Sara Gallie. Within this role she works with the SSW team, artists and local community members in developing the programme and ensuring that everything is in place to make it happen. Sam is a producer by trade and has spent over 20 years supporting artists in developing and sharing their practices across local, national and […]

Photo by Felicity Crawshaw

Joanne Matthews

Joanne Matthews (they/them)Programme ProducerJo works closely with Sam on projects, residencies, events and communications at SSW but above all is the person ensuring artists are taken care of and get the most out of their time at SSW. Jo helps artists with their development and ideas on residencies as well as the practical planning, you’ll also find them stoking the onsite sauna, cooking pancakes at potluck breakfasts and leading walks. Jo works both remotely (based in Edinburgh) and onsite at […]

Mara Marxt Lewis

Mara Marxt Lewis (she/her)Community Arts Organiser Mara, the Community Arts Organiser, fosters a vibrant and inclusive environment where creativity, collaboration, and community engagement thrive. In her role, she empowers individuals to take ownership of the Community Making Space, encourages the exploration of new ideas, and co-facilitates innovative ways of thinking through workshops and diverse activities. Mara’s vision is to create a space where conversation, exchange, and a sense of belonging are nurtured through the transformative power of art and community-engaged […]

Photo by Felicity Crawshaw

Sara Gallie

Sara Gallie (she/her)Finance & Governance DirectorSara Gallie is an artist and arts administrator with 30 years of experience in managing and supporting arts organisations and projects across Aberdeenshire from grassroots to director level. Sara has worked hard to support SSW and all her colleagues, past and present, since 2013. Her conscientious approach, rigour and sharp eye for detail enables strong financial management, her curiosity, sense of fairness, care and resilience supports strategy and change-making while her passion to support ‘making’ […]

Liz Burnham

Liz Burnham (she/her)Finance Assistant Liz, has worked in finance and administration for many years, and has been at SSW for 2 years part time. She deals with the day to day running of finances/admin and you will likely encounter her confirming your course information or emailing invoices. Liz has a dog called Pickle who sometimes keeps us company in the office. Liz has developed a keen interest in Pottery, since being at SSW. Outside of SSW, Liz’s hobbies are walking, […]

Photo by Felicity Crawshaw

Amy Benzie

Amy Benzie (she/her)Ceramics Technician Amy works in our Ceramic Workshop as a technician. She is always keen to welcome people into the world of clay and is on hand to help you experiment, play and push the materials in any way you can imagine.  With a particular curiosity for glaze chemistry and alternative firings, which also bleeds into a fascination with bugs and all things creepy crawly – you will likely find her nose deep in a book if not […]

Caregivers Residency Blog: Keng Keng Tang

For four weeks across 2023 and 2024 Keng Keng Tang completed their SSW X Counterflows Residency. The residency offered artists time, space, funding and support to develop artists practices alongside their caregiving responsibilities. Keng Keng Tang shares their journey through the residency and how it fostered a sense of renewal. All words and images by Keng Keng Tang. I am a mother, a milliner & textile artist, and a community arts activist. Over the past few years my artistic practice […]

Photo by Tyler Lewis

Community Making Space Blog: Easter Art Club

Over the past few months SSW has been busy working with our Community Advisory Group making plans for our 24/25 community programme. This has included meeting with local partners, taking part in a range of Inspirations talks from Manoeuvre, The Portland Inn Project and MyVillages and sharing our needs and ambitions. We are now busy putting the finishing touches to the Community Programme and look forward to sharing this later in May. In the meantime Mara, our Community Arts Organiser, […]

Photo by Bobbi Cameron

Caregivers residency blog: Bobbi Cameron

In February and April 2024 Bobbi Cameron completed her SSW X Counterflows Residency. The residency offered artists time, space, funding and support to develop artists practices alongside their caregiving responsibilities. Bobbi reflects on the nature of being a carer and working as an artist and the importance of flexibility. Words by Bobbi Cameron. Whenever I reflect on time(s) at SSW, I see turning points in my life that have been genuinely monumental. Deep cosmic shifts seem to follow my time […]

Rebecca Davies

Rebecca Davies is an artist and co-director of The Portland Inn Project, she is from London and lives in Stoke On Trent. Rebecca has a deeply embedded and collaborative practice that crosses illustration, design, performance and event, exploring the role of art in making change. Her work explores the role of art in making change, as a device and platform, to represent and communicate complex stories and politics. She has run participation projects with Turner Contemporary, Tate Modern, New Town […]