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Creative Writing Opportunities

High Street Multiverse:

Six Opportunities for Emerging Writers Based in Dumfries & Galloway

Welcome to Dumfries High Street.

In this place, whole worlds of stories and sorrows, memories and hopes as vivid and colourful as your own, exist within each passer-by.

A multiverse, an ever-growing web of realities sprawl and spin from the smallest encounter. New futures are written and re-written all at once, each stemming from the consequences of actions so subtle, they are barely felt. But the ripple of each of our choices resonates beyond now… and alters the realities we all share.

So step inside… what story will you find?

High Street Multiverse is a digital, public art project supported by Dumfries & Galloway Unlimited. Working with 6 emerging writers from the region, this unique initiative will support writers to craft six individual audio stories to be placed within the town centre of Dumfries, through a specially designed series of QR light sculptures, the artworks will immerse listeners into new imaginative worlds, traversing time and space.

Writers will work together with the support of the Stove’s creative team through a regular series of workshops led by professional writers alongside a handful of creative sessions to shape each individual story. Emerging writers will receive one to one creative and professional guidance with a small team of professionals in the field, gaining tailored support and advice to take your writing to the next level.

Writers will receive a fee of £200 for their contribution to the project alongside professional support and guidance along with the opportunity to collaborate with others and be part of an exciting multi-arts project in the heart of Dumfries.

You don’t have to have been published and you can be of any age and experience-level to apply. We’re looking for writers who are excited to be part of this collaborative project and are willing to help create a new experience for Dumfries town centre.

Want to take your story to the street?

Who can apply?
You don’t need to have been published, you could even just be dabbling. You might be a fantasy writer, novelist, poet, or all the above. We’re looking for potential. We’re looking for writers who are excited by the prospect of working collaboratively and are willing to be part of a journey in finding their voice through the support and mentorship of the Stove and our team of professional writers.

The only thing we ask is that you are living in or can demonstrate a significant connection to Dumfries & Galloway. No upper age limit.

How to Apply
To apply please send a cover letter and supporting material to [email protected] answering:

What excites you about the project?

How would you describe yourself as a writer?

How could this project support your development?

Alongside up to three writing examples, exceeding no more than three pages per example.

Submissions closing date is the 30th of August.

Creative sessions and workshops will take place throughout September and October with works being recorded in November and December. Installation and public unveiling will be in January 2022.

Time commitment:
Coordination of workshops and creative sessions will be arranged in consultation with the successful writers. We expect writers to attend roughly 5 workshops/creative sessions, as well as one-to-one sessions with the professional writers’ team.
All applicants will be contacted with regards to the outcome within the week of the of the 6th of September.

For more information about the project please email [email protected].

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News

Testing, testing… anybody there?

Welcome back Dumfries. This month we’re ready to open our doors once again with a month-long programme of inspiring events from conversations to workshops, creative activities and talks alongside the long-awaited return of our monthly film night Reel To Real, as well as the unmissable Brave New Words. We want to be extra safe as we navigate our way back into the world of live events so the way of doing things is a little bit different. First of all, you’ll need a ticket. You can see the full list of events here, so if you’d like to attend, you’ll need to book your place. And we’re not out of the woods yet so we’ll have some extra safety measures in place when you arrive, to protect everyone in our community. 

This month it’s all about testing new activity. We want to see how we can have a blended approach to our live events. So whether that’s a mix of live streaming to walks outdoors, we want to play with new ways of coming back together, that’s both safe and creative. Who knows, some of it might stick. So why not join us as we retrace our steps back to the world of live events…

Dumfries Fountain Project

The Dumfries Fountain Project goes live this month with the first of our workshops with writer JoAnne McKay, and a conversation evening exploring the history and heritage of the fountain!

Creative Spaces

Creative Spaces welcomes you back to our blended model of bi-monthly workshops we shall be exploring the link between mental wellbeing and creativity through the concept of the Tortured Artist.

Brave New Words

You heard us right, it’s back! We’re going live on the last Friday of the month, in The Stove Cafe and The Stove Network’s Youtube channel.

Reel to Real Cinema

This month we are discussing film and food in The Stove Cafe with filmmaker Zev Robinson, and his short film The Glasgow Diet

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News

Introducing…

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Creative Spaces’ Associate Artists

From the back: Jenna Macrory (Creative Spaces Producer), Leanne Bradwick (Associate Artist), Jodie Barnacle-Best (Associate Artist) and Rachel Shnapp (Associate Artist).

From blueprint100’s consultation and development period, came Creative Spaces – providing opportunities for emerging artists under 30 to have the support and funding to explore and enhance their creative practice, while building professional confidence and developing a network of peers.

After promoting these opportunities and fine combing an extremely talented pool of applicants, we’ve now curated our own trio of Associate Artists, who introduce themselves below…

Meet the Team

Jodie Barnacle-Best

I’m Jodie…

While I’m wrapping up my Masters right now, I’m about to start honing in on my main practice in fashion knitwear (though, more generally speaking, I’m really excited by experimenting with colour and material!).

Most of all, I’m eager to start steering my practice more towards community-making/workshopping and interactive fashion making: demystifying the fashion space and encouraging connections between the clothing and the wearer.

Leanne Bradwick

I’m Leanne…

I am a travelling jewellery artist who makes narrative jewellery in my self-converted van that I live in and call home. I studied jewellery and silversmithing at Uni between 2014 and 2017, before going on to work within the industries in Birmingham’s jewellery quarter. 

I’ve now moved to Dumfries and Galloway to begin my own practice of narrating folklore stories through silver coin pendants, which I’ll be selling alongside little books to keep the tales alive!

Rachel Shnapp

I’m Rachel…

I’m an early-career filmmaker and artist creating works across a variety of genres. In my practice, I aim to get as close as possible to subversive or hidden narratives – creating socially engaged, stylised films that tell lesser-known stories.

I am really looking forward to contributing to The Stove, and I’m excited for what lies in store.



Thanks Jodie, Leanne and Rachel, we’re thrilled to have you join the Creative Spaces team.

Would you like to know more about Creative Spaces and find out how you can get involved? Visit our webpage: https://thestove.org/creative-spaces/


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Musings News

Accessibility and Inclusion, Reflections: Winston Denerley

Guest Blog Post by Winston Denerley

Over the past few months Winston has been working with the Stove team, and particularly the Creative Spaces and Soap Box projects to help us explore how to make our programming more accessible for the D/deaf community. We’ve learned a lot and really enjoyed having Winston as part of the team, and are looking forward to the conversations going forward!

Still of the BSL version of the Learn page available on our website here

“It was a really interesting start to my time with the Stove Network. I was proposing a project consisting of a Deaf Hub/Festival within the Kirkcudbright Arts and Crafts Festival. Due to complications with COVID-19, this had to be delayed and put on the back burner. While speaking with Katharine Wheeler about this project idea, she mentioned the Stove’s need to be more accessible, aware and inclusive of people with disabilities. Because of my lived-in experience of the deaf community, current studies of British Sign Language and passion for inclusivity, we felt as though I would be able to fulfil the organisation’s need to be more inclusive.

Over my short time working (remotely) for the Stove Network, I have really enjoyed being the voice for people that need it and invoking necessary change. To do this I have created British Sign Language interpretations of the website, contributed to meetings, been involved in a successful panel on Inclusive Communication and held an ‘Accessibility in the Arts’ conversation on the 28th of May. Both the panel and the conversation had a diverse mix of organisation representatives and disabled people allowing for important discussions to be had about access in the arts industry. In the panel discussion, I was a part of the team answering questions about my own experiences, however with the conversation I was a host asking questions and prompting responses from the speakers. I really enjoyed playing both roles as speaker as well as host and look forward to hosting/being involved in future conversations and discussions about important issues!

Screenshot from some of the content that went out on the Creative Spaces social media accounts in relation to the Accessibility in the Arts conversation

It has been really interesting to see a somewhat closed off industry learning to be more inclusive and accepting of different types of people. Through this, I have begun to wonder the significant changes that could be made to the world if all businesses, organisations, and corporations understood their lack of awareness and inclusivity and took large strides to change this. By doing this, some groups may no longer feel as though it is society that disables them because they are given the vital support they need. 

My mind is brimming with new ideas and projects, so I am excited to see what the future holds working with an exciting and constantly developing organisation that has all the right intentions. Conversations discussing important issues, content aimed at different audiences with different needs, project development support and so much more – the future looks bright!”

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News

Are you in the NOA?

The Network of Artists (NOA) online directory for creatives has been a long time coming for Dumfries and Galloway. There have been many conversations surrounding the issues of artist isolation, young people leaving the region to fulfil their ambitions and the need for connection and networking for those of all ages and experience to be found in one place.

In 2019, Creative Spaces (formally known as Blueprint100) enabled two of their team members to embark on a short research project – The Gap – which arose from a mutual feeling of being unsure where to go and what to do next in the region. At different points of transition in their lives, this felt like it could be a lonely process of trying to find your feet in a small place, where no one seems to do what you do.

The Gap aimed to explore and question the potential creative pathways and opportunities for young people in Dumfries and Galloway. Through survey and short interviews from a variety of artists and organisations, including Outpost Arts, Young Promoters Group and Wigtown Book Festival, the need for people to know who was on their own doorstep became apparent very quickly. Creatives did not have one platform to connect and share, people did not know how to ask for help or have an awareness that someone nearby could be of great assistance. There was not a platform which collated and shared all that was going on in Dumfries and Galloway which then resulted in missed opportunity and collaboration; broadening those feelings of separateness and leaving creatives wondering if they can continue being an artist in D&G at all.

The Gap also recognized that this was not only a “young persons” matter – it was much bigger than that. There were creatives and organizations of all different ages and skillset throughout the region who felt this uncertainty as to who and what was around them. What could we do to bridge this gap? 

As research ended in 2020, Creative Spaces granted funding for two individuals to co-create and pilot run an online directory of artists. 

In 2021, NOA was born, and we are delighted to be able to finally introduce you to the first version of our website, which we hope you will soon call your own.

NOA aims to become an online directory for all creatives to aid connection, mentorship, collaboration, knowledge, and community. Follow the link, sign up to become a member (completely free of charge), and gain access to all the opportunities and events listed alongside our Directory of Artists. We are open to all kinds of creative beings, take a look: www.networkofartists.com

Please remember this is our first launch of the site, and we are continuously looking for better ways to advocate the Dumfries and Galloway creative community with a hope this will expand to further creative communities, both nationally and internationally in the future. We already have more ideas in the pipeline, so it is likely you may too! Please do not hesitate to get in touch with any of your own thoughts, questions or queries you may have at [email protected]

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News Opportunities

Cafe – Community – Creativity: Exhibition Call Out

The Stove Cafe x Conversing Building

We’ve spent more time at home than we ever thought we would. What sorts of things did you get up to during the past 14 months? Maybe you started painting again, or learned how to knit, or made collages to send to your friends or started taking photographs on your phone. We’d love to celebrate the little acts of creativity we have all made at home, and share them in our café.

The Stove Café and the Conversing Building project would like you to submit or loan your artworks to us for a Community Café Exhibition in June 2021. Works can be 2D or 3D, measuring no more than 60cm in any direction please. All artworks will be displayed in our public café so please make sure that the work you submit is suitable for all ages.

How to Submit

Artworks can be dropped off to The Stove Café during regular opening hours Wed-Sat, 10-3pm, but please make sure you have included your contact details so that we can return your work to you. If we receive a large number of submissions we may not be able to display all works. Please do not submit more than two artworks per person.

If you have any queries about whether your creative work will be suitable, please drop us an email to [email protected], or pop into the Stove café and ask one of our team.

All artworks must be submitted by Monday 31st May 2021.

The exhibition will run from the 2nd to the 30th June 2021.