At the start of this month we welcomed Grays School of Art MA students for a short residential trip which included some experimental pit firing and naked raku. The students’ practices span a wide variety of mediums and ideas with some working with clay for the first time whilst here. It was a joy to have this vibrant and enthusiastic cohort of artists working across our spaces supported by their dedicated and inspirational tutors David Blyth and Dr Jen Clarke. […]
At the end of 2024 we were joined by our wonderful Gray’s Graduate Resident Reebcca Rae. Rebecca joined us alongside a range of other artists and spent time working across metals and ceramics. It was a joy to have Reebcca join us and to continue our important connection with Grays School of Art in Aberdeen. Below Rebecca shares her insights and experiences of being on Residency at SSW. Words and Images by Rebecca Rae: Being awarded the Graduate Award for […]
We are thrilled to announce that SSW has secured Multi-Year Funding from Creative Scotland, ensuring our sustainability over the next three years. This support recognises SSW’s impactful work both locally, through our vital Communities Programme, and globally through our Artist Residencies. This support enables us to continue expanding the possibilities of what sculpture can be and broaden who is able to make and enjoy it. We are also delighted to see the inclusion of our colleagues and partners from Scotland […]
This winter SSW has been expanding its outdoor wood firing offer with artists from across the UK and Europe. Amy Benzie, SSW’s Ceramics Technician, writes below about her experiences firing with wood and working with the artists. Words and images by Amy Benzie I have always been fascinated by clay and the way it takes me to new experiences and to new people. This winter of woodfiring at SSW was no different. I was so heartened to be joined by artists at the […]
After a year of hard work and dedication from so many, in particular the teams at Collective Architecture, Coldwell’s Build and SSW, our Bothy and groundwork renovations are close to completion. The Bothy works will finalise Phase 1 of our capital programme which has seen the transformation of our staff offices, artists accommodation, ceramics workshop and the development of our community making space. This recent work will importantly provide accessible accommodation, kitchen facilities and external areas for artists and community […]
Before the thermometer drops below minus 20 and the snow reaches our knees (its actually pretty warm this week – but we know the near subarctic conditions are coming) we want to send a huge thank you to all the artists, makers, local residents, partners, supporters and funders who have joined us this year. You all make SSW and bring such knowledge, inspiration and possibility to our workshop spaces. This year we have run wonderful Group Residencies for artists joining […]
We are excited to announce that we have been selected by Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN) to be a base for one of its fleet of four e-cargo bikes. The Babboe Go Mountain Electric Cargo Trike is available for all resident artists and art workers coming to SSW to use for local errands and collections. The staff team will also make good use of it by doing our weekly Community Fridge drop offs, running supplies to the school for art […]
We’re currently recruiting a new Programme Producer, an exciting key role at SSW, vital in producing our programme, delivering our artists residency offer and managing SSW communications. Job Title: Programme ProducerSalary: £28,000 – £32,000 (pro rata) depending on experiencePension: 5% pension contributionContract: 0.8 (4 days/ 30 hours per week) permanent – the role includes working weekends and evenings as requiredResponsible to: Programme & Partnerships Director Holiday: 22 days + 9 bank holidays (9 days bank holidays to be taken over the set winter closure in December/ January)TOIL: Overtime […]
At the end of October we celebrated Samhain with our Sculptural Kiln Building Course led by ceramic artist Jenny Mackenzie Ross. Over the course of a week course participants worked together with Jenny and SSW Ceramics Technician Amy to build an adobe kiln over a willow frame, fire the kiln to stoneware temperatures (adding soda for extra fun) and achieve some exciting results. In Jenny’s words: ‘I was glad to see everybody willing to be carried along with my experimental […]
This year we are glad to have supported Group Residencies with artists Maggie Clyde (Scotland), Micheal Coolidge (Canada), Rebecca Halliwell-Sutton (England), Ciaran Cannon (Scotland), Harriet Morley (Netherlands), Caitlin Robb (Scotland), Margaret Scott (USA), Claire Henry (Scotland), Rebecca Livesey-Wright (Scotland), Holly MacDonald (Australia) and Madeleine Ruggi (England). During their time at SSW they have developed their practices across a wide range of materials – working within our metal, ceramics and stone facilities. Group Residencies at SSW support artists to experiment and […]
Scottish Charity Number: SC003223