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Brave New Words

Building on the success of Open Mouth during The Stove’s Open House events, we are thrilled to welcome back Sindigo and Eryl Shields, alongside curatorial member Martin O’Neill, as they host Brave New Words—a day dedicated to performance poetry and spoken word at The Stove.

Brave New Words features an afternoon of free discussion events, workshops, and one-to-one consultations designed for aspiring performance poets. This is followed in the evening by Dumfries’ first-ever poetry slam, with the winner securing a place in the Scottish Slam Championships in Glasgow!

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or trying it for the first time, we want to hear from you! There are absolutely no restrictions on content.

For full instructions, to participate, or for more information, please email Martin at [email protected].

Discussion Events and Workshops

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Sotirius Frantzanas: Democracy – What Does It Mean Now?

Sotirius will lead a discussion on the meaning of democracy in the 21st century. How does it relate to today’s political landscape and, in turn, our personal lives? Is a truly democratic society possible? This open discussion and lecture will explore the process, philosophy, and relevance of democracy in 2015.

democracy
Democracy. Ligorano/Reese.

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Emily Elver – Personal is Political

Emily Elver is a groundbreaking spoken word performer from Edinburgh, known for combining the shocking and mysterious with the mundane, disgusting, and delightful. No subject matter is off-limits in her work, as she evokes both laughter and gasps in equal measure. She co-hosts Poetry Circus and is the editor of Edinburgh’s newest literary magazine, Freak Circus.

Emily’s workshop is designed to help aspiring writers and new performers overcome some of the challenges they face when telling personal stories. Through discussions and readings of her own work, Emily will guide participants on how to confidently approach personal subjects. The session will also include one-to-one advice and mentoring for those aspiring to perform their poetry.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Rory O’B – Rhyming and Rapping

Rory O’B is a highly intelligent rapper and talented musician from Oban. He has performed at festivals such as Kelburn, Audio Soup, and The Loch Lomond Boat Party, captivating enthusiastic audiences both as a solo artist and alongside Ciaran Mac. Currently part of Volition in Glasgow, Rory also runs engaging rap workshops for young people.

Rory O’B’s workshop delves into the origins of Hip-Hop culture, its evolution, and how it can relate to our lives today. Participants will have the chance to write their own rap, explore rhythms, and experiment with rhyming techniques and patterns. The session culminates in an opportunity to perform their written work to the group.

7:00 PM: Slam Championships

Get ready for Dumfries’ first-ever poetry slam! Prepare to experience the controversial, heartfelt, beautiful, disgusting, and joyous. Staged across three thrilling rounds, the winner will earn the chance to compete in the Scottish Slam Championships in Glasgow.

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Young Stove Member Profile: Sara Redden

What is your earliest memory? My earliest memory is from when I was two years old, on holiday, when my dad got me a fishing net. He convinced me that the plastic fish were real, and I tried to eat them.

What drew you to The Stove? What interested me most about The Stove is that everyone is on the same team—it’s like one big family striving to make things better for everyone.

Which person do you most admire, and why? I admire anyone who can go through a huge ordeal and still manage to smile at the end of the day.

What time of the day do you like most? I love seeing the sunset. It’s so relaxing, and I find the softer tones of light more calming.

Share your hopes and dreams for The Stove? I hope The Stove continues to thrive and becomes the main attraction of Dumfries and Galloway.

Sara’s work at the Mill on the Fleet during the Young Stove’s Not to be Sold Separately exhibition

What’s something that you found yourself enjoying that you never thought you would? I walk a lot and still find so much joy in it.

Which film changed your life? Ratatouille—I imagine all the little rats in Dumfries cooking away while the chefs are distracted.

What keeps you in and around Dumfries? The Stove and my family.

What’s been the most exciting part of the Stove process for you? Seeing the building come together and the development of the Young Stove.

What songs do you carry closest to your heart? Blue Velvet—my dad always sang this to my mum.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? My daughter.

Where’s your favourite place to be in D&G? The Stove.

What makes you happiest? Paintings that work out.

Tell us your passion? My art and my daughter, Daisy.

The Young Stove’s first collective exhibition, Not to Be Sold Separately, will open at The Stove on Friday, 11th September. The opening will feature performances, live art, and installation events. More details about Not to Be Sold Separately will be shared soon.

Are you aged 16 to 30 and interested in the arts? Find out more about the Young Stove.

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Young Stove Member Profile: Hayley Watson

Tell us about your creative process? I start with mind maps, followed by lots of drawing onto photos with markers and cutting and layering papers and fabrics. This helps me figure out a concept that looks good and begin turning it into something tangible.

What is your earliest memory? My third birthday, although the only thing I can remember about it is the cake. It was covered in every kind of sweet a three-year-old could dream of, and it must have been a truly unforgettable cake to have stayed in my memory above all else from that time.

What drew you to The Stove? The desire to be part of something with a bigger purpose.

What time of the day do you like most? Early morning—it feels fresh and new.

Would you share three words that you love? Reduce, re-use, recycle.

What’s something that you found yourself enjoying that you never thought you would? Exercise and neutral colours.

Who, from throughout history, would you like to sit and have a good chat with? Andy Warhol—our shared passion for sugary food and minimal answers to interview questions would make for a fascinating conversation.

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Pre-Owned collection. Part of Not to Be Sold Separately – Young Stove exhibition at the Mill on the Fleet

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? “You’ve got the inspiration. You just have to bat away the naysayers and stay focused. Life really is too short. No one’s around on this planet long enough to fully understand what’s going on. At the risk of sounding too morbid, we’re all scared little kids—from childhood to old age, all the way to the day we die. Imagine 80 sweets, then imagine that many Christmases or birthdays—it’s not that many, really. Take your life and run with it. It’s yours.”

I had to dig through three years’ worth of Facebook messages to find this, but it had a huge impact on me at the time.

The Young Stove’s first collective exhibition, Not to Be Sold Separately, will open at The Stove on Friday, 11th September. The opening will feature performances, live art, and installation events. More details about Not to Be Sold Separately will be shared shortly.

Are you aged 16 to 30 and interested in the arts? Find out more about the Young Stove.

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Young Stove Member Profile: Lauren Souter

Tell us about your creative process? I’m still trying to figure out what my process is. I tend to start by gathering things that inspire me and then focus on what catches my eye. I suppose I take the process as it comes—I go with my gut feeling more than anything.

What drew you to the Young Stove? The upcoming artist event last summer. A friend told me about it, and I went—it was the first time I’d seen an artist-type event in Dumfries and Galloway, so I was excited.

Which person do you most admire, and why? Nicola Sturgeon. I love Nicola—I admire how she stands up for Scotland and how down-to-earth she is. She’s not superficial like most politicians.

Would you share three words you love? Buzzing, kale, biddy.

Share your hopes and dreams for The Stove? I’m not sure, but I’d really love to see it flourish across all of D&G and beyond. I’d also love for The Stove to gain more recognition locally for everything it does.

What’s something that you’ve found yourself enjoying that you never thought you would? Bingo! I’ve always hated numbers, but my family goes every week, so I’ve joined them on occasion. Surprisingly, I’ve found it’s quite weirdly fun—haha.

What film changed your life? I’m not sure if any film has truly changed my life, but maybe Legally Blonde. I love how Elle suddenly excels—it’s actually quite motivating to watch, haha.

What’s been the most exciting part of The Stove process for you? I’d have to say Parking Space. I absolutely loved that event—it was really, really interesting.

What makes you feel alive? Midnight car journeys and visiting new places.

What songs do you carry close to your heart? I’m on and off with songs, but I’d say We Bros by a group called WU LYF.

What’s your dream for the artists in D&G? For them to receive more recognition. I feel D&G has so much to offer in terms of its artists.

lauren

Who throughout history would you like to sit and have a good chat with? Elizabeth I—she might be a bit intimidating to talk to, but I think she would be absolutely fascinating.

What instrument would you play if you could instantly master it? The harp, or perhaps the art of making music from glass cups.

What would you consider your greatest achievement? Surviving a six-hour journey on a bumpy Stagecoach bus while carrying a box of delicate glass—and none of it broke, haha!

Where’s your favourite place to be in D&G? Portpatrick—it’s such an idyllic and beautiful coastal town.

What’s your favourite piece you’ve produced? Creating a collection of glass vessels with glass artist Amanda Simmons. I’ve never had many opportunities like that, and it really opened my eyes to what’s possible out there.

What five books do you think everyone should read?

  • One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
  • The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
  • The BFG by Roald Dahl
  • The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
  • The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

What makes you happiest? Travelling—especially car journeys, but I love train journeys too. Good food.

Tell us your passion? Most creative things! Art, though I’m not sure exactly what yet—but definitely something within the field of art.

The Young Stove’s first collective exhibition, Not to Be Sold Separately, will open at The Stove on Friday, 11th September. The opening will feature performances, live art, and installation events. More details about Not to Be Sold Separately will be shared soon.

Are you aged 16 to 30 and interested in the arts? Find out more about the Young Stove.

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News

Young Stove Member Profile: Sullivan Michael

What is your earliest memory? I remember being in the flat with Mum and the radio playing a song with brass instruments. It was night-time, and the kitchen was yellow. (It was usually yellow at night and blue-grey during the day.) This might have been in winter. We were making a pizza with a smiley face on it—it tasted disgusting, and we laughed.

What drew you to The Stove? Sauron.

What’s your favourite place to be in D&G? Kirkbean—the woods, the fields, the river with the cave.

What’s been the most exciting part of The Stove process for you? I suppose the most exciting part is seeing a variation of ideas and being involved in intriguing discussions with all these different artists. Meeting new and fascinating people with great imaginations has been a brilliant experience.

What instrument would you play if you could instantly master it? The Ocarina of Time.

Would you share three words that you love? Sing, treasure, lux.

Tell us about your creative process? Sometimes it’s hectic, sometimes it’s structured. I’d say it’s a balanced combination of the two. When I’m certain of what I’m doing, uncertainty may suddenly arise and spur on an unexpected avenue. If I’m not sure where I’m going, I’ll just wander blindly until my right hand grips the banister a split second before what could have been a plummeting journey down the staircase. Sometimes I take that plummet too. Beneath all the chaos, I am quite orderly… or maybe it’s the other way around.

What’s the best thing anyone’s said to you? “Eyes down.”

Tell us a joke? (At this point, we had to pause the interview as Sullivan began breathing into a paper bag, body contorted, rocking back and forth in a most awkward manner.)

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever got? “Keep going.”

Tell us your passion? My passion is to express myself, so I’ll do that to the very best of my ability. On those formidable lazy days, I’ll drag myself into action kicking and screaming—it’s the least I can do for myself.

What’s your dream for the arts in D&G? Uninhibited imagination (with bells on).

The Young Stove’s first collective exhibition, Not to Be Sold Separately, will open at The Stove on Friday, 11th September. The opening will feature performances, live art, and installation events. More details about Not to Be Sold Separately will be shared shortly.

Are you aged 16 to 30 and interested in the arts? Find out more about the Young Stove.

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Not To Be Sold Separately

From Emily Cooper

Months of planning, budgeting, and—most importantly—creating had led to the Young Stove finally making their debut on the art scene of Dumfries and Galloway. Not to Be Sold Separately, our maiden voyage into exhibiting as a collective, launched on the 3rd of July and was met with a wave of excitement and glowing feedback.

As a group of eight young artists, each with contrasting styles and creative visions, coming together to form a cohesive show seemed like a daunting task. However, rather than becoming an obstacle, it turned into one of our greatest strengths, resulting in a vibrant and diverse collection of work that reflects who we are as a group.

Installation day brought its own challenges. With only a matter of hours to transform a beautiful yet unconventional space—complete with complex lighting—and to install all our work before opening that same evening, the pressure was intense. The learning curve was steep, as our experience ranged from seasoned exhibition veterans to those of us (myself included) who had never exhibited publicly before. Yet, remarkably, we pulled it off without a hitch! Having complete creative control and taking responsibility for hanging our own work proved to be an invaluable experience, one that will undoubtedly shape how we approach exhibitions in the future.

Not to Be Sold Separately closes on the 26th of July and will travel to Dumfries to be reimagined and reopened at the start of August. With a new space, fresh pieces, and even more artists added to the line-up, it presents an exciting opportunity to redevelop and build on the success of the exhibition’s first leg. Mill on the Fleet has been a fantastic opening venue. Transplanting a thoroughly modern, edgy collection of work into such a historical and characterful building has resulted in a glorious, colourful discordance—truly symbolic of the Young Stove.

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