As part of the upcoming launch of Kathy Hinde’s Luminous Birds installation in Dumfries, Stuart Macpherson will be introducing the first in a series of pieces of his newly commissioned work Flight. Both works launch on Wednesday, 7th September, starting from the Stove at 7.30pm, ahead of the switch on of Luminous Birds at 9pm at the Globe Inn. Full details available on our events page here
Flight – Is a moving soundscape/composition influenced and inspired by the migration of barnacle geese from Svalbard to Caerlaverock. Taking the idea of Migration from Kathy Hinde’s Luminous Birds installation, Flight explores the ability to move from one place to the other, using multiple sounds sources to create something that mimics the movement of the birds. Individual parts are composed to work together as a movement.
This opening is an introduction to the piece which will continue with further developments and performances through until November. You are invited to come along and immerse yourself in the first run coinciding with the opening of Luminous Birds at The Stove.
Stuart Macpherson is a freelance bassist and composer based in rural Dumfries & Galloway. He has been involved in numerous projects and performances, mostly recently the highly acclaimed orchestration of GRIT by Greg Lawson at the Edinburgh International Festival. He also plays in a recently formed quartet with local musicians Wendy Stewart, Gavin Marwick and Ruth Morris. Short-listed twice for the Martin Bennet Prize for Composition Stuart’s work ranges from soundscapes such as his work with Chinese pole artist and performer Phil Hardie on Welcome my Son to pieces written for Red Note Ensemble and Mr McFalls Chamber. His compositional work has been taking an expansive swing towards more experimental pieces and collaborative work such as this.
Special acknowledgement to Sound recordists Geoff Sample and Simon Elliott who have very kindly allowed their recordings of the geese to be used for this piece.
This years Nithraid sees us welcome a new team of young interns to help kick-start our now annual sailing race up river and into the centre of Dumfries. First up is Euan Macrory, a musician from the town and joining the event production and marketing team. We asked Euan to tell us a little more about himself and his music:
I am a musician that is driven by giving opportunities to other performers and artists. I hope to contribute my part to the Dumfries music community by encouraging new performers and hopefully allow people to try music as a hobby even if they never have, purely so people can discover a new passion. My main passion at the moment is combining genres and changing music. This has involved me taking genres that are not always perceived as exciting, like traditional folk and combining it styles like funk, flamenco and jazz. In the future I hope I can encourage a rise in the interest of the Dumfries music scene and try to change music.
I was drawn to Nithraid because I wanted to try being part of the organisation of an event so I could participate in events from a new perspective. I have been a performer at events but I am looking forward to experiencing events under different circumstances and gaining new skills in fields that present unique challenges and rewards.
Nithraid 2014 – Procession and Nithraid Band
I think Dumfries is a town with a lot of potential. I think it has a really nice local community that you struggle to find in other areas. I believe that with our close community values we can make a modern town with more reasons for young people to stay here and build careers.
The most exciting part of the Stove process for me is the involvement it permits. The stove opens up a wide variety of opportunities for people to get involved in, including different types of workshops and events for activities that people would not consider if the Stove was not offering these unique opportunities.
Five books I think everyone should read are Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck, The Symposium by Plato, How to Ruin Everything by George Watsky, If On a Winters Night a Traveller by Italo Calvino and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.
There are so many songs that I couldn’t live without but if I had to name a few it would be Santeria by Sublime, Emily by the Bill Evans Trio and just every song by a spoken word poet and rapper George Watsky.
I never expected to enjoy volunteering in a charity shop as much as I did. Honestly when I started I thought it would be a fairly quiet standard shop job but I had so much fun and made so many great memories from it.
My passion is music, it means so much to me and it always has. I couldn’t see my life without it.
Today our new friend and sign painting ninja Ciaran Glöbel led a group of Stove members in an inspirational workshop on the art of hand painted lettering.
An example of Ciaran’s work – you can see more at his website
Ciaran talks alphabets
There is a resurgence of interest in the traditional art of sign painting – this is partly because the sameness and ubiquity of computer generated plastic signage is wearing thin and partly because street artists (graffiti etc) are rediscovering the old arts of hand painted signage as a language for their work. Ciaran Glöbel is good example of this – he is a street artist who for the last two years has been making a living as a sign painter.
Letters by Elli, Ciaran + Jo, Katie, Lyndsay
Single stroke brush lettering practice
The day was rounded off with a public screening of ‘Sign Painters’ a movie which is a moving call to arms for artists to take to the streets and bring back the quality and originality of bespoke designed and hand made signage and street art.
‘I think every human being has the ability to alter their own environment with their bare hands.’ ……absolutely goddamn right!
Just imagine how different Dumfries High Street could look if all the independent traders had hand painted signage by local artists? #MakingDumfries
Thanks to Katie for organising everything and Ciaran for being so generous with his knowledge and having great banter
Throughout the year, we strive to stay connected with all our members and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to easily share their hopes, wants, and needs regarding the development of The Stove and the collective creation of a better Dumfries. Whether it’s more formally at the members’ Housewarming event, during Cultural Wayfinding sessions, over Tea with Moxie (yes, that’s still going strong if you’d like a chat and a cuppa!), at drop-in sessions, during live events, through the speechbubbles project, or even in casual encounters on the street—the core team is eager to hear your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas for moving forward.
Moxie at work at Guid Nychburris
The Stove has truly blossomed since opening its High Street doors earlier this year, and there are many more exciting adventures on the horizon. Here’s a quick recap of the ideas you’ve shared with us and how we’ve responded.
Spoken word and creative writing were high on people’s agenda, with many suggesting an increase in related events. In April, Open Mouth burst onto the scene, led by Sarah Indigo and Eryl Shields, who conducted performance and creation workshops with school students during the day. Its success has led to Brave New Words being developed into a regular Open Mic night at The Stove. The next session is this Friday, 30th October, and is open to everyone (whether musical or spoken word—Brave New Words welcomes all original writing). In the run-up to Christmas, several other word-based events are planned, including the Wagtongues Pop-Up Bookshop at the end of November. Additionally, there is an open-call out for new writing for exciting art installations in the closes of the town.
Brave New Words – poetry slam September 18th 2015
A number of conversations around food were sparked at the Housewarming event, perhaps inspired by the delicious chai tea made by Open Jar and the bannocks baking over the open fire in the square. Attendees were eager to explore the power of nourishment in all its forms, suggesting ideas such as gatherings; gardening experiments where people could learn how to grow and cook seasonal produce; cup return schemes for the café; as well as film evenings and talks centred around food and produce.
We’ve also been discussing community gardens, rewilding initiatives, and collaborations with groups across the region to provide opportunities for exploring the intersection of growing and art.
The amazing Alice Thompson from Social Bite talking food and social enterprise at The Stove (http://www.social-bite.co.uk/)
The latter was explored during our recent film season at The Stove, where films such as Moo Man, Vanishing of the Bees, and The Lunchbox were accompanied by inspiring talks and equally delightful, relevant treats.
We also hosted an incredible talk by Alice from Social Bite, who shared their journey of building an amazing network of sandwich shops from scratch, which help the homeless get back on their feet and into work.
Work has begun on The Stove Café, which will provide a vibrant meeting place in the heart of Dumfries and serve as a base for further creative exploration of how we think about, grow, distribute, and cook food. The tender was won by Angela and Colin Green, and we are very excited to see the opportunities this new development will bring.
We are eager to hear from anyone interested in hosting groups in the early evening. For example, we have a regular Craftivism (Creative Activism) workshop starting on 28th October. These sessions aim to encourage people to linger a little longer after the shops close and further our commitment to breathing new life into the town centre.
The Craftivism workshops also align with other ideas raised by members. Many expressed interest in forming Skill Sharing groups and engaging in Mindfulness initiatives. Craftivism promotes both and we hope it will serve as a catalyst for other Skill Sharing/Skill Swap events.
It was also suggested that we take The Stove beyond the building and engage in more projects across the region. One such project saw The Young Stove working with school-aged children in the woods near New Galloway. They ran a workshop called Survival Art School and later gave the youngsters a tour of their show at Gatehouse of Fleet. Another example was the co-production of EAFS—a wonderful off-grid adventure in the grounds of Morton Castle. Among its many magical aspects, EAFS encouraged the sharing of food as a means of human connection and engagement, evoking a primal need to break down modern social barriers and foster friendships and communication around shared nourishment.
Rajasthan heritage Brass Band at The Stove
People asked for drumming, and what a line-up we gave them! Not only did we fill the day with the incredible Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band—bringing smiles to everyone they encountered—but we also hosted an evening workshop with local drumming groups. This spectacular session brought the community together in a loud and joy-filled way.
Looking ahead, the future vision for Dumfries includes suggestions for giant water slides, Segways instead of Orange Bike Schemes, permanent block parties, adult ball pits, and drive-in cinemas. It’s clear people want to feel the love returning to the town centre.
Phrases such as:
“Let’s celebrate what we have and what we can be rather than focusing on what we don’t. We are a vibrant town with vision. Work together to make it happen.”
“Keeping Dumfries’ heritage but being more upbeat and welcoming to new things.”
“Convert dead shops into flats = get people back into town.”
“Use empty shops as art galleries/installations – artists get work shown, town gets colourful, vibrant art instead of empty shops full of litter.”
have been echoed repeatedly. While perhaps less thrilling than foam bowling alleys, these suggestions are far more tangible and provide a solid starting point for meaningful change.
Regeneration has clearly begun, with many commenting on the positive difference The Stove has already made to the High Street—but much more remains to be done.
We’ve had inspiring public sessions working with Lateral North to explore how interventions and Cultural Wayfinding can help develop Dumfries, making it more welcoming and easier to navigate—just as has been achieved in other towns. There’s even more to come, including an event surrounding Norway House next month.
Since its creation, the building has taken on a variety of roles. It has been a messy creative space for The Young Stove and other artists, an exhibition venue, and a site for workshops, meetings, gatherings, and music gigs. It has welcomed a broad mix of people from diverse walks of life, which makes us very proud. It has also become a hub for exchanging ideas—a place where inspiration is shared, where ideas can be brought and nurtured to grow.
Radio DMC
Music has been another hot topic for members and the public, and we have been developing a music strand since The Stove began through our Dumfries Music Conference. Since 100 High Street opened, this has continued to grow through partnerships with local music groups such as Small Town Sounds, Music Plus, and Electric Fields. These collaborations have led to fantastic gigs showcasing local talent, including Rudi Zygadlo, MØGEN, and Mark Lyken. You can even learn guitar at The Stove now with lessons from guitar teacher David Bass.
Other topics raised in discussions include:
Partnerships with the Crichton Campus – exciting news to come on this in February.
Fast Public Broadband – a big thanks to Ailsa for making The Stove the first business in the town centre with fibre-optic broadband.
Space for Screenprinting – we are supporting Upland and Maklab in their efforts to establish a facility at Maklab’s premises on the High Street.
Classes in IT and Film Editing – our digital making suite will soon be taking bookings, so watch this space.
Support for Research Projects into Environmental Issues – The Stove was the base for the recent Environmental Art Festival Scotland. Stay tuned for ArtCOP Scotland @ The Stove in early December.
More for Young People in the Town – The Young Stove continues to flourish and is now integrated into nearly everything we do.
Be Part of Making Dumfries Better – The Stove remains a space for people to come together, debate, and take positive action for the town. We are actively involved in discussions about the Whitesands and have exciting news about significant improvements to the High Street.
‘Not to Be Sold Separately’ an exhibition by Young Stove
So, let us know what you think! Book in with Moxie for a cuppa, send an email, or drop our Herald a line on Facebook. The Stove is ever-evolving, and its quiet energy is building all the time—so get in touch and let’s see how we can sail together into the next phase.
P.S. If you’re ever wondering what’s happening at The Stove, please check our Events page, or look back at what’s been going on via our Blog page.
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.
Clem from Open Jar cooking Bannock on Dumfries High Street
By Mark Zygadlo
I offer my reflections on a couple of aspects of the gathering to mark the reopening of 100 High Street, Dumfries, on 29th May 2015.
First, the building is just a building—open or closed. The Stove, on the other hand, has never been away. However, the resumption of 100 High Street is a cause for celebration because, occupied by The Stove, the building becomes a symbol, a statement of intent, a declaration in the heart of the town, redolent with possibility.
These are carefully chosen words. When you get to be an old Stovie like me, you can laugh in the face of cool and bravely speak of sentiment. For this, I take my lead from Moxie, who put her wares gently on the table at the reopening and slid under the radar to remind me—at any rate—that to be anything meaningful, an artist not least, you have to be a human being first. This was cleverly done. Addressed obliquely and full of ambiguity, her condimental list invoked the mysterious nine-tenths. Elementary, my dear Moxie. Fundamental.
I love that brownie orange
Onward, the mugs. Whisked back to my first days at art school—longer ago than even my newfound bravery wants to consider—messing about with a process I couldn’t quite handle, yet desperate for my mug to somehow transcend its mugginess and become art. Then not caring if it did or… hang on—I love that browny orange; let’s get some more of that! The noise level, the concentration, the babies… what’s going on? Is this a family or something?
The sledgehammer of the Young Stove finally cracked it
Thanks to a shock-resistant bottle and the shock-absorbing qualities built into the fabric and spirit of the old Stove—useful qualities against the vicissitudes of the future—the sledgehammer of the young Stove finally cracked it. “Jules, fetchez la vache” comes to mind for some reason; a phrase so poignant for an old Nithraider that I include it despite its irrelevance. So what? So what? So what? John Dowson, the only other resident of the High Street, told us what. The making of history, he said, quite rightly.
Now, here’s a thing, and it’s one of my favourite things: life is lived forward but looked at backwards. History is the backward view—a mash-up of memories, archives, documents, photographs, and, of course, the way we have shaped the environment. It’s all history. But the making of history is the process of living, doing, making things happen, and changing the place we live in.
A good definition of The Stove.
The noise level, the concentration, the babies… what’s going on? Is this a family or something? Mark Zygadlo – standing centre…Moxie DePaulitte – far left (pink hair)mugginessJohn Dowson, the only other resident of the High Street, told us what. The making of history, he said.Thanks to a shock resistant bottle and the shock absorbing qualities built into the fabric and spirit of the old Stove. Heid Wetting attempt by the Young Stove…..see very funny video – https://www.facebook.com/thestoveherald/videos/250690988434614/?pnref=storyBannock Making led by Open Jar CollectiveClem from Open Jar cooking Bannock on Dumfries High Street
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