Matt Baker | Chief Executive Officer

Matt was one of the founders of The Stove in 2011. The Stove was a progression of his practice as a public artist. Through his career Matt became increasingly concerned with the potential for creative process to empower communities. He sees the Stove as a long-term experiment in embedding a creative resource within a community – the work is a co-directed journey with local people and Matt remains completely absorbed and fascinated by where that journey is leading.

His challenge as CEO is to remain attuned to the overall direction of The Stove, through remaining true to our values and leading a culture of learning, empowerment and excellence within our organisation. Matt is also the interim chair of the National Partnership for Culture, the independent group appointed by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture to support the delivery of the national culture strategy.

Lindsey Smith | Finance Director

Lindsey grew up in Dumfries and is delighted to be back working in the heart of the town. She studied Accountancy in Edinburgh after a career as a Trainer and Manager in the Catering Industry. 

With nearly 20 years of experience of Financial Management across both Commercial and Charitable Industries, 11 of which were for third sector entities focused on the Arts & Creative practice, she brings a breadth of expertise and a love of spreadsheets. 

Excited by the passion, dedication and enthusiasm of The Stove team she hopes to support the organisation’s vision and aims within the town and the wider community.

Martin O’Neill | Artistic Director

As artist and producer, Martin works with people to realise new projects, artworks and spaces employing an eclectic range of styles and disciplines from community events to theatre, music, poetry and installation. Martin describes his artistic practice as rooted in the values of inclusion and facilitation, collaboration and representation. As Artistic Director of the Stove, Martin works across all of the Stove’s projects, connecting these values with everything that we do.

Katharine Wheeler | Development Director

Katharine has a creative background spanning community and socially-engaged art, helping to develop the creative placemaking work of The Stove since she joined in 2015. Originally studying at Duncan and Jordanstone College of Art and Design, she recently completed an MA in Arts and Social Practice with the University of Highlands and Islands bringing a deeper exploration to her passion for arts and culture as part of community-led change-making.

Always interested in the boundary crossing nature of the work we do across different sectors and within communities, Katharine works to build our partnerships and strengthen relationships to develop the way we work with others, initiate programmes of activity and collaboration, and support creative sector development and learning in creative placemaking. Katharine is also lead for the What We Do Now, a growing network of community hubs, practitioners, and partners passionate about the use of creativity by communities to shape their own futures.

Robbie Henderson | Web & Data Manager

Robbie has been working in the third sector since 2017, where he has been involved in various projects aimed at using creativity and technology to enhance the social and cultural life of his hometown, Dumfries. Some of the diverse projects he has helped develop include setting up an online music and book store and reimagining a local festival as an online experience.

At The Stove, Robbie’s role is multifaceted. He is responsible for developing and maintaining websites for The Stove and its various projects, utilising his skills in web design and front-end development. He enhances and monitors The Stove’s digital presence using his knowledge of SEO strategy and web analytics.

Robbie also identifies and addresses cybersecurity needs for The Stove’s IT systems, websites, and online platforms. As a Data Protection Officer, he ensures that The Stove complies with relevant data protection laws and regulations.

In addition, Robbie develops and maintains IT systems that support day-to-day operations, fundraising, event planning and delivery. He provides IT support, training, and advice to his teammates, ensuring they have the necessary knowledge and resources to carry out their work effectively.

Robbie has had the opportunity to learn and apply new skills in different disciplines such as live streaming and audio engineering. These skills have enabled him to edit podcasts and videos for YouTube and live stream workshops, panels, and festivals.

Robbie finds his work at The Stove rewarding and enjoyable. He values being part of an organisation that uses creativity as a catalyst for social change and community empowerment. He also appreciates the diversity and flexibility of his role, which allows him to explore different aspects of technology.

Sal Cuddihy | Production Lead

Sal began working at the Stove Network as part of the curatorial team in 2016 and is now Head of Production, managing all events that are delivered by the Stove. She has been the Lead producer of Nithraid Festival since she began and has recently taken on management of the Creative Caerlaverock Project.

Sal runs a team of talented event producers that assist in delivering all in house events at the Stove and has created a training program for young people entering the world of event production. Her key focuses and skill sets lie in transforming spaces and locations, into artistically curated venues (the bigger the challenge the better), Front of House training and management, Community Engagement, Health and Safety, logistics and venue management.

Sal works closely with the various departments in the The Stove Network & Cafe to deliver the visions that are presented by the communities and artists that engage with the Stove.

Erin Aitchison | Marketing Officer

After graduating with an MA(Hons) degree in English and Film Studies in 2022, Erin returned to Dumfries & Galloway to pursue a career in Communications and Marketing close to home. She completed a marketing internship with D&G Arts Festival, which sparked an interest in working for the third sector. Erin was drawn to the Stove’s grass-roots creative placemaking work and enjoys its positive impact throughout the region.

Although not an artist herself, Erin uses creativity in her approach to all communications she coordinates for the Stove. Her strengths lie in digital marketing across various platforms, content creation, event promotion, and copyediting. And – of course – she loves a good spreadsheet. Outside of work, Erin is often found on a stage with local theatre company DMTC, reading novels and exploring Southwest Scotland.

Mia Osborne | Producer | Creative Spaces

As someone who grew up in rural D&G, a lot of Mia’s work is centred around how local people, in particular young folks, engage with creativity in a rural context. This is something she explores in her work as Producer for Creative Spaces. Mia supports our three Associate’s in their journey through the Creative Spaces programme and collaborates with them to help build a sustainable community for young creatives in D&G. Mia’s work with young people has been widely recognised in the region for its impact which is reflected by her win at the Dumfries and Galloway Youth Awards 2022 for Arts and Culture.

Mia approaches projects with creativity at the core whilst also championing the importance of non-traditional mediums of creativity and challenging stereotypes of the creative industry. This is communicated through meaningful, embedded and collaborative community work with organisations and projects that aim to enhance the local area and the lives of its people.

Aside from Creative Spaces, Mia works as part of the in-house production team, delivering a wide range of community events, and works freelance as a Creative Producer where she delivers a variety of projects from community consultations to large scale events.

Wren Winters (they/them) | Project Coordinator

Originally from rural Appalachia in the USA, Wren came to Scotland in 2022 to pursue an MSc in Sustainable Tourism and Global Challenges. Arriving at The Stove in the summer of 2023 on a thesis placement with the Wild Goose Festival, they engaged the community with grass-roots research and development initiatives. At the end of their Master’s, Wren stayed on board to help run the 2023 Wild Goose Festival Hub. Wren can now be found in The Stove creating systems, coordinating Open Hoose development, championing community conversations, and working on the WWDN Digital Media Festival. Outside The Stove, Wren works as a freelancer developing sustainable tourism initiatives that celebrate national, local, historical, and natural heritages.

A passionate believer in taking any opportunity to be outside, Wren spends their free time cycling, hiking, doodling mushrooms they encounter in the wild, and playing with their Saluki/Border Collie rescue amongst the hills of Dumfries and Galloway.

Andrew Furlonger | Membership Manager | WWDN

Andy studied Business and Management in Birmingham. After graduation he spent a few years working for a range of multinational financial and telecoms companies before taking a senior role at an international charity and moving to London.

His career in the capital spanned two decades and included senior business development and account management roles for FTSE 250 property firms, early stage startups and social enterprises among others. He has developed and led business units at an operational and strategic level, implementing processes to deliver revenue targets in highly dynamic environments. 

An art enthusiast, especially neo-expressionism, he also has a passion for events and building networks – so the membership manager role was a perfect fit. It  also tied in with a move back to Dumfries after 20 + years in Birmingham and London. Andy brings with him a track record of delivering challenging targets and creating opportunities through innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset.

Leanne Bradwick | Community Events Producer

Leanne is a travelling jewellery artist, who crafts narrative jewellery in her self-converted van, which she calls home. She studied jewellery and silversmithing at university from 2014 to 2017, and subsequently worked in Birmingham’s renowned Jewellery Quarter.

Now based in Dumfries and Galloway, Leanne has embarked on her own practice, narrating folklore stories through silver coin pendants. She plans to sell these unique pieces alongside little books to keep the tales alive.

Since completing the Creative Spaces Associates programme, Leanne has joined The Stove Network’s community event production team. Often the friendly face you’ll meet at events, her role is to ensure everyone has the best time possible. Leanne also works in production for larger events such as the Nithraid River Festival and the Wild Goose Festival, assisting The Stove Network’s Production Manager, Sal Cuddihy, in planning and building these events to bring something different every year.

Meg Dickinson-Hood | Community Events Producer

Starting off as a freelance Sound Engineer, Meg was working with some events held at The Stove before joining the team as a Community Events Producer.

Meg started off her career in the music industry back in 2017 as a guitarist in a five-piece band, playing all across the country & in Europe. Just before lockdown, she decided to further her knowledge & study Sound Production in Cumbernauld which then led her to move offstage & behind the desk. Since finishing her studies & moving back to Dumfries, she has been working with the local creative community, running the sound desk at live events & recording artists in the studio.

Meg created her first project at the start of 2023 where she produced a series of live sessions with Circa 16 Sound Recording to showcase a wide variety of Scottish musicians.

Sonah Chaudhry | Associate | Creative Spaces

Sonah, also known as Sonny, is the founder of Sonny Cooper Jewellery, a small jewellery brand. As a jeweller ‘from Scotland, from Pakistan’, their roots are in Dumfries, where they were born, and Moffat, where they grew up. Sonah has been self-teaching the art of jewellery making for four years. Jewellery is their primary creative medium, though they enjoy exploring various creative avenues.

Their work is deeply influenced by heritage and the intersectionality of culture, drawing inspiration from history, as Sonah is also a part-time history student. They love connecting with other creatives and collaborating within the artistic community.

Sonah first discovered the art of jewellery making in Cambodia. During the lockdown, they revisited this craft and has since dedicated themself to mastering its finer details.

Sonah’s journey in the jewellery world has involved extensive reading, teaching, and collaborating with fellow artisans. While their academic background in jewellery is minimal, their career is predominantly self-taught, enriched by the guidance and support of those who have accompanied them on this journey. They look forward to this journey continuing with the company of the Creative Spaces team.

Anna Murray | Associate | Creative Spaces

Anna is an emerging mixed media artist, who’ll turn her hand to whichever creative expression feels right, from collage and object making to songwriting. Her work draws inspiration from the natural world, human connection & relationships, as well as her own life and experiences.

Having grown up in the small rural area of the Glenkens, Anna returned to Dumfries and Galloway after graduating with a degree in Scottish history in 2022, seeking a community-focused creative career.

After laying down new roots and forging connections in her home region, she has been able to explore her own creative practice on a more regular basis and also find part-time work in the local community within Shambellie House, where she is Young Person’s Development Officer.
Now, she’s excited to get to work expanding on these experiences within the Creative Spaces programme, and collaborating with her peers to share new perspectives through the project.

James Gough | Associate | Creative Spaces

James is a born and raised Doonhamer* & multi media visual artist with a particular interest in portraiture and collage. He discovered his passion for creating at the end of 2022 whilst travelling across Australia & New Zealand and since then, he has felt as though he’s been able to make far more sense of the world around him.

James describes himself as a ‘newbie’ in the Creative Sector, as his previous experience has been mainly in the fitness industry, working as a personal trainer for five years. James also loves birds, snails, running and tattoos.

*A Doonhamer is a colloquial term to describe someone who is born and bred in Dumfries