Image from Rural School of Economics Summer Camp with Myvillages. Photo by Felicity Crawshaw.We are so excited to be kicking off our Community Making Space Programme this summer with a wide range of free creative and skills based sessions developed in collaboration with our community advisors. This summer we will dig into the possibilities of working with textiles – from skills sessions that will decorate and adorn through to practical workshops on how material connects us to the world and to each other. This textile programme will be the focus of our weekly […]
Photo by Felicity CrawshawSam 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 and Ruaridh Allen. 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 […]
Photo by Felicity CrawshawJoanne 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 (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 […]
Image credit: Felicity CrawshawSara 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’ […]
Image credit: Felicity CrawshawLiz Burnham (she/her)Finance Assistant Liz has worked in finance and administration for many years and joined the SSW team in 2022 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, reading […]
Image credit: Felicity CrawshawAmy 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 […]
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 […]
Simone Kenyon is a transdisciplinary artist, movement practitioner, researcher and producer based in Scotland. For 25+ years Simone has worked across art forms to explore the complex interrelationships of movement, people and place. She works with notions of expanded choreographic inquiry; encompassing walking arts, dance ecologies and cultural geographies to create participatory and performance events.
Matthew Wilcock is a ceramics maker and educator. Born into a family of potters he has spent most of his life emersed in the process of working with clay. Matthew is passionate about all materials, their properties and possibilities, currently lecturing ceramics on the Product, Ceramics & Jewellery course at Robert Gordon University, the only course in Scotland to deliver ceramics within its curriculum. Matthew is a co-founder and director of Aberdeen Ceramics Studio, an open access maker space designed […]
Scottish Charity Number: SC003223