Support Us
Categories
Musings News

GO SEE in Dundee!


Dundee – A City of Creativity & Connection

An early start had us arriving in Dundee bright-eyed and ready for a day of exploration. We kicked things off with a visit to Creative Dundee, meeting their team at Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA). Over coffee and conversation, we swapped stories—sharing what’s been happening in Dumfries and soaking up insights on Creative Dundee’s work. From their Hapworks initiative to the Amps network, it was clear we were kindred spirits, connected by a passion for creative community-building. We also got the lowdown on Pass the Mic and their legendary PechaKucha nights.

Feeling warmly welcomed, we set off on a guided tour of Dundee’s buzzing creative scene. First stop: Generator Projects, Dundee’s longest-running artist-led space. It was alive with energy, a constant hum of artistic activity, and the very definition of community-driven creativity.

Next up was Double Door Studios, where we were greeted by the brilliant Islay Spalding, jeweller and founder of the space. Our chat with Islay delved into the balancing act of being a creative—where passion meets practicality, and how to carve out sustainable careers in the arts.

Lunch at The Bach

Refuelled and ready, we made our way to The Keiller Centre, a fascinating shopping centre with certain community-led units in the heart of the city. We got a glimpse into its future plans and were delighted by Volk Gallery, an independent arts venue housed in a repurposed nappy vending machine.

Then, it was over to Hapworks_00, a pilot creative co-working and event space led by Eilish at creative Dundee. Hearing about the successes of the project was inspiring, but it also opened up conversations around the challenges of securing and sustaining creative spaces—something we all felt deeply connected to. Our day wrapped up with a breezy walk to the waterfront to check out the ‘Sharing Not Hoarding’ riso print exhibition, a fitting end to a day filled with ideas, inspiration, and the joy of shared creative energy.

We left Dundee feeling invigorated, having seen a whole new side to the city—one pulsing with collaboration, innovation, and a real sense of community.

Day 2: Glasgow – A Quick Stop with Big Impact

Before heading home, we made a detour to Glasgow, kicking things off with a visit to the Kelvingrove Gallery to explore their Empire Exhibition. This powerful exhibition critically examined the legacy of empire and colonialism—a moment for us to pause, reflect, and consider the impact of history on the institutions that surround us today. As an unexpected bonus, we caught the Kelvingrove organ recital, a mesmerising performance that had us all slowing down to take it in.

Lunch

Post-lunch, we made our way to Glasgow Women’s Library, a truly special space dedicated to celebrating and preserving women’s histories. As the only Accredited Museum of its kind in the UK, it offers a rich archive, a lending library, and a packed programme of events. The calm, welcoming atmosphere left a lasting impression, and we all departed feeling a deep sense of belonging and gratitude for spaces like this.

Wrapping Up: A GO SEE to Remember

Dundee GO SEE was an absolute cracker. Not only did we expand our knowledge of the creative sector, but we also grew closer as a team—something we reflected on (enthusiastically) during the car ride home.

A massive shoutout to Mia, our creative producer, for pulling together such a brilliant trip. This journey left us feeling inspired, connected, and fuelled by a renewed love for the creative community. Until the next GO SEE!

Written by Sonah Chaudhry

Categories
News

Nature, Creativity, and Community: Wild Goose Festival 2024

In 2024, the Wild Goose Festival (WGF) returned for its fifth year of activity celebrating nature, creativity and place across Dumfries & Galloway. Running from the 18th – 27th of October, our feathery festival had a programme of over 70 events from Stranraer across to Annan.

The Stove Network produces WGF, uniting key partners from across Dumfries & Galloway. WGF formed part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2024 and was supported by TRACS – Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Annandale & Nithsdale Community Benefit Company, administered by Foundation Scotland and Dumfries & Galloway Museums & Heritage Network.

As we celebrate the geese ahead of their departure in April, let’s have a gander at what was occurring at our 2024 festival.

Our Biggest Festival Yet

Our Wild Goose programme arrived early autumn, packed full of events for all ages to enjoy. Building on the success of our previous four festivals, we were able to host our biggest selection of events so far across Dumfries & Galloway.

This year wasn’t just bigger; thanks to the support and involvement of our partner organisations, our 2024 festival featured a diverse array of events, from immersive workshops to captivating performances, all with the celebration of D&G’s unique ecology at their core. WGF continues to champion our region’s cultural and natural heritage.

A New and Improved Wild Goose Festival Hub

The Wild Goose Festival Hub has become an essential element of our festival, and in 2024 we were back in the Loreburne Centre in Dumfries for more fun, educational workshops for all ages.

This year, 902 people visited the Hub in our new, larger space filled with interactive exhibitions, fascinating goose facts, and hands-on creative workshops. The Hub programme of events included workshops with local artists, environmental educators, storytellers and musicians. Our hub space welcomed Clydebuilt Theatre Company for puppet shows, Allison Galbraith for storytelling sessions, Paragon for movement and music workshops and local artists Korey Patterson and Emily Tough. Our Hub was a place where stories came to life, where art bloomed, and where the natural world was explored with wonder.

Launching Hear | Here – Amplifying Voices Unheard

On the 18th of October at the Stove Cafe, The Stove launched our new project ‘Hear | Here’. This three-year initiative aims to combine public art, print media, and immersive experiences to celebrate the heritage, identity, and culture of underrepresented communities in Dumfries. In its first year, Hear | Here is focusing on the Travelling Showpeople, and we were fortunate to be joined by Co-Chairs of Fair Scotland Dr. Mitch Miller and Dr. t s Beall.

Hear | Here is delivered in collaboration with Fair Scotland, a charity founded by Scottish Showpeople, artists, and researchers. To learn more about the project click here.

Celebrating our Unique Environment

The 2024 WGF became a vibrant celebration of South-West Scotland’s natural environment by weaving together art, culture, and nature. The programme of events drew attention to the region’s unique connection with migratory geese and the broader ecosystem. It fostered a deeper appreciation for the area’s landscapes and wildlife, encouraging both locals and visitors to reconnect with and cherish the natural beauty of their surroundings.

A Brand New Visual Identity for 2024

You may have noticed that WFG underwent a makeover ahead of our fifth festival. As the festival grows and evolves, so does our visual identity with an updated logo and brand colours.

Our Wild Goose Festival brand identity has been created by Dumfries & Galloway based graphic designer Jamie Stryker.

Looking Forward to 2025

The sixth annual Wild Goose Festival will return in October 2025. In the meantime, we will celebrate the geese returning to their other faraway climates this spring alongside our partner organisations. Check out our ‘Goodbye to the Geese’ events now on the Wild Goose Festival website here.

We hope to see you there!

Categories
News

Opportunity: Artist/Maker in Residence

Location The Stove, Dumfries
Position Freelance, Part Time
Application Deadline Wednesday 26th March 2025, 9am

The Role

This five month residency offers a creative freelancer the opportunity to develop and deliver visual and public art in and around The Stove buildings. As the Artist/Maker in Residence, you will lead the Conversing Building programme by designing engaging displays that activate public spaces. You will also play a key role in our soon-to-be-launched Print House/Workshop, supporting its creative operations, and providing hands-on artistic and practical support for The Stove team and café. This flexible, part time role is ideal for a working artist who thrives in collaboration, enjoys experimenting with different media, and is passionate about community-driven art.

The Artist/Maker in Residence will have three key roles: 

Leading the Conversing Building Programme
Designing and installing creative displays that activate The Stove’s public spaces and spark dialogue around key themes such as regeneration, nature, and underrepresented voices.

Residency in the Print House/Workshop
Engaging with the community print space, supporting its operation, and collaborating with other creatives using the facility.

Maker in Residence at The Stove
Providing hands-on creative support for The Stove’s team, café, and wider projects, contributing to both practical and artistic outputs.

Rate of Pay and Hours

This role pays £150 per day for an average of 7 days per month for a period of 5 months from 5th May to 3rd October. The Artist/Maker in Residence will be expected to attend a full team meeting on Monday mornings at 9.30 for one hour (blended meeting) all other hours will be by negotiation according to project needs and availabilities. 

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please submit a CV and cover letter, detailing your interest in this role and working with The Stove, as well as your relevant skills, experience, and knowledge. In addition, three examples of your work as an Artist/Maker.

Please email your application to [email protected]

Deadline Wednesday 26th March 2025 at 9AM
Interviews Thursday 10th April 2025

Applying in a Way That Works for You

We want our application process to be as inclusive and accessible as possible. We welcome you to communicate with us in whatever way feels most comfortable and natural to you. If you have any questions—about the application, the role, or anything else—please don’t hesitate to get in touch at [email protected]

Categories
News

A Fair Future

Written by Martin O’Neill

Since its launch in October last year, Hear|Here—a project in partnership with Fair Scotland that collaborates with Scotland’s travelling Showpeople—has been steadily gaining momentum. This initiative, alongside collaborations with Fair Scotland and Dr. Mitch Miller’s Atchin Tans & Tobers project, forms part of a broader artistic exploration of Scotland’s Showpeople culture, including Miller’s deep-mapping practice known as dialectograms.

We have ambitious plans for 2025, a dynamic programme of installations, performances, and newsprint, and an upcoming series of events coinciding with the March Spring Fair, the project continues to grow in scope and impact. 

Left to right: Dr Mitch Miller (Fair Scotland), Dr t.s Beall (Fair Scotland), Alex James Colquhoun (Chairman of the Scottish section of the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain and Vice President of the European Showmen's Union, Albert Reid (Reid's Amusements, Local Showman)
Left to right: Dr Mitch Miller (Fair Scotland), Dr t.s. Beall (Fair Scotland), Alex James Colquhoun (Chairman of the Scottish section of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain and Vice President of the European Showmen’s Union), Martin Joseph O’Neill (Artistic Director, The Stove) Albert Reid (Reid’s Amusements, Local Showman) at the launch of the Hear | Here project. 

I’m always eager – perhaps to the point of annoying (!) – to remind Doonhamers just how deeply embedded and longstanding the travelling fairs are in Dumfries. From medieval feasts in the 1300s to the Rood and Spring Fairs of today, this rich tradition remains a defining part of the town’s cultural landscape. Showpeople played a pioneering role in early cinema, contributed significantly to the town’s development—including the construction of the suspension bridge—and supported local efforts during the Second World War. Their history is not just alive but constantly evolving—adapting to the present while remaining fiercely proud of its unique identity.

There is a growing recognition of Showpeople’s cultural significance, the recent BBC Scotland docu-series Licensed to Thrill has brought their stories to a wider audience, while the European Showmen’s Union Conference in Edinburgh earlier this year—an event I was fortunate to attend—highlighted the continued importance of this community across Europe. This renewed interest signals a much-needed revival and acknowledgment of their contributions, woven intricately into Scotland’s industrial, cultural, and civic fabric. 

This cultural resurgence comes with challenges. Inconsistencies in local policies and licensing rules continue to create uncertainty. In Dumfries, the debate around the flood defence scheme highlights these tensions. On the positive side, there’s growing support from local leadership, with calls to ensure that fairs remain on their current site by the Whitesands. But sustaining these historic fairs remains an uphill struggle, with rising costs and bureaucratic hurdles. 

The recent European Showmen’s Union Conference brought these issues to the forefront in a parliamentary debate addressing key concerns for Scotland’s Showpeople:

Furthermore, efforts to safeguard Showpeople’s heritage are gaining traction. The UK signing up to UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage is an encouraging step, as are initiatives led by Fair Scotland, which has recently launched a survey documenting fairs under threat and those lost over the past century. You can read more about this in a recent BBC article.

And members of the public are encouraged to take 5 minutes to fill in the short survey here: https://bit.ly/LostFairs

How can we support the future of the fair? 

At the recent European Showmen’s Union conference, presentations from various international organisations shed light on successful models of support. The German Showmen’s Association (Deutscher Schaustellerbund), for instance, highlighted the scale and resilience of fairs in Germany—where, in 2024 alone, 7,500 fairs attracted 200 million visitors, generating a turnover of €4 billion. Despite rising operational costs, these fairs continue to flourish due to their deep integration within cultural and historic celebrations. Events such as Oktoberfest, Stuttgart’s Cannstatter Volksfest, and traditional Christmas markets demonstrate how fairs can be framed as essential cultural fixtures rather than standalone attractions.

Stuttgart’s Cannstatter Volksfest
Stuttgart’s Cannstatter Volksfest

Closer to home, Kirkcaldy’s Links Market—Scotland’s largest street fair—offers an inspiring example of longevity and adaptation. Running for over 700 years, it remains deeply embedded in the town’s identity. Unlike fairs relegated to isolated spaces, Kirkcaldy’s fair, as with Dumfries, runs along the waterfront. Its success, thanks to longstanding advocacy from leaders in the local council, underscores how traditional fairs can be seamlessly woven into the cultural life of a place, contributing to the long-term economy of a town. 

Kirkcaldy’s Links Market in Fife is Europe’s longest street fair, thought to be the longest in Scotland. 
Proposals for the Future

It wouldn’t feel very Stove-like if I didn’t use this blog as a space to throw some ideas into the mix—so here are a few to get us started! If we want Dumfries’ fairs to thrive, we need to think about how they fit into the town’s future and make sure they remain at its heart. Some ways to do this could include:

  • Cultural integration: Weaving the fairs into wider community events, arts festivals, and seasonal celebrations to make them a more visible and celebrated part of town life.
  • Heritage interpretation: Bringing the fairs’ history to life through walking tours, museum exhibits, and talks that deepen people’s understanding of their significance.
  • Urban design integration: Making sure fairs aren’t just accommodated but actively designed into the town’s spaces—imagine seating areas shaped for fairground rides or performance zones that transform throughout the year.
  • Sustainability initiatives: Looking at greener energy solutions, like hydroelectric power from the River Nith, to make fairs more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective.
  • Diversity and inclusion: Ensuring fairs are welcoming spaces for everyone, where diverse voices—including travelling communities, LGBTQ+ groups, and multicultural communities—are celebrated and included.
  • UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Recognition: Pushing for Dumfries’ fairs to be recognised as part of Scotland’s protected cultural heritage, similar to how the Tilburg Fair (The Netherlands) has been designated.
Show woman Lucille Pullar speaks to ‘Fairground Walkabout’ attendees in March 2023. Lucille shared her experiences working as an Education Liaison Officer for the Showmen’s Guild, and her grandson’s ‘mini Lorry’ – painted with the family colours! Image t s Beall

Looking ahead
The Show Must Go On postcards (The Stove)

The work of Hear|Here is taking shape not just as an advocacy project but as a catalyst for deeper integration and innovation – by embedding the voices and ideas of Showpeople into urban planning and cultural strategy. Through collective action, we have the opportunity to secure a future where Scotland’s travelling fairs not only endure in Dumfries but flourish as living, dynamic elements of our town and community.

Learn more about Here|Hear.

Categories
News

A New Chapter for The Stove

Matt Baker, Photographed by Coulson & Tennant

A New Chapter for The Stove as Matt Baker Steps Down as CEO in 2025

As we enter our 14th year, I’m writing to let you know about another major milestone for The Stove, as our co-founder Matt Baker stands down as CEO in summer 2025. This progression has been in planning for over a year between Matt and the Board. The Stove is constantly evolving, and the Trustees and the team are confident that this will be another positive process of change for us.

A small team from the Board have been working with Matt for about a year now in planning for this change. I’m delighted to tell you that we are not losing Matt; he will take on a new part-time role for The Stove as our ‘Prospector’*, continuing with the brilliant work he does for us in regional and national strategy and policy development, and working with prospective clients and funders to shape new work opportunities.

In co-founding The Stove, the challenge Matt set himself was to help establish a sustainable, innovative arts organisation embedded in his home region. As he says himself, ‘the final step in creating something is to step away to allow it to stand on its own and flourish’. With the incredible team we have built—you, our members, and all of our partners—we have the experience and skills, and we are ready and excited to embrace this new stage together in our evolution. We can assure all members that no significant change to the direction or operation of The Stove is anticipated; we will continue to serve the creative community and the wider communities of Dumfries and Galloway as we always have.

We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary contribution that Matt has made to The Stove, the region, and the country over the past 14 years, and delighted that his commitment to Dumfries and Galloway and the pioneering practice of creative placemaking will remain his focus. We are excited at the prospect of new adventures with Matt and all the new connections he will make for us.

The wonderful recent news of the award of multi-year funding from Creative Scotland means that The Stove is now in its third cycle as a national portfolio arts organisation, an incredible achievement for such a young and highly original organisation. This award was based on our business plan for 2025–28. The plan is built on the twin strands of (1) community-embedded creative practice, for and with the communities of Dumfries, and (2) regional creative placemaking and creative sector development. These two areas of work are based on the solid foundations of existing work and future innovation, and are underpinned by four areas of income generation, all of which are comprehensively supported through effective governance and working systems.  

We will now enter a short process of internal reorganisation and planning to refine the shape of our team and working systems. This is something in which everyone at The Stove has a voice, but we have planned things in such a way that the process should create as little disruption as possible within everyone’s busy schedules. The process will be enabled and supported by the constitutional changes we made in the past year and the well-embedded operations of the Board and senior leadership team, which we have all developed together. We will do our utmost to keep everyone informed throughout, and I am here for any queries—please do not hesitate to reach out

This feels like a big change in our Stove foundations. As you all know, Matt has been the leader of this special place. However, we’re confident about this next chapter, the new opportunities it will present internally and externally, and the fact that we won’t lose our wonderful Matt completely. As it is traditional to say at The Stove at times like these, ‘may it continuse on!’


Lynsey Smith
Chair of the Board of Trustees at The Stove


* A prospector company is defined as one that is a leader in its market and is driven by innovation and thought-leadership. Prospector companies are known for being entrepreneurial and investing a lot of time and effort to find new products and solutions. A prospector strategy is a business strategy that involves actively seeking out new markets and opportunities. It’s a competitive strategy that emphasises innovation and flexibility to respond to changing market conditions. A prospector seeks precious elements.

Categories
News

Creative Spaces – Narture Go & See

Written by Anna Murray

The Spacers were off on our first go-see of the programme in January. Zooming up the A76 to Ayr, gently serenaded by James on the kazoo (see our Instagram Reel from the day), we were all buzzing to get into the nitty-gritty of another fantastic arts organisation.

Narture, founded in 2020 by father-daughter duo Robert and Saskia Singer, is a community arts organisation funded by their very own sourdough bakery, where they produce fresh breads and pastries each day. On this foundation of good food, they “re-invest all surplus profits into creative projects, as an instigator of town centre regeneration. The spaces host a community darkroom, Riso printer, exhibitions, events, workshops, holistic therapies, and talks.”

We arrived and were welcomed to their cosy and creatively decorated café by Saskia, and were able to grab some delicious lunch while we got chatting. We were then introduced to Saskia’s dad and co-founder Robert, and were given some of Narture’s backstory. They have both studied art, and Robert has a background in catering, all of which comes together in what they do at Narture. We could really feel the passion and dedication they both have for the organisation, and they clearly have put a lot of hard work into building what they have. You can read more about Narture and what they do on their website: https://www.narture.co.uk/.

We then went on a tour of the spaces Narture uses on Ayr High Street. Seeing what they’ve done with the spaces—the artist studios, Riso printer, etc.—was inspiring and definitely got us thinking about what could be transferable to our own town in Dumfries, as well as our own creative practices.

It was brilliant to get out and about as a team, and spending the day with a new organisation has definitely brought a fresh perspective. The car ride home was full of discussion and chat about new ideas—we left Narture with a sense of connection with the organisation and their community.

Creative Spaces is a Dumfries-based collective of young creatives, working with and advocating for our region’s young artists.

Situated in the heart of Dumfries, Creative Spaces collaborates with young creatives from across the region, providing young people with opportunities to engage in the arts. Whether it’s through events, workshops, mentorships, or our annual Associates Programme, we aim to enhance Dumfries and Galloway’s creative scene by offering free access to opportunities and paid commissions.

Keep up to date with the Creative Spaces team on Instagram: @creative.spaces_

Skip to content