​Statement
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As an outdoor visual and walking artist and outdoor education practitioner based in Fort William, Lochaber, Highlands, I encourage social engagement through my project work. I host walking events and outdoor experiences to support community groups to engage with the outdoors as a way to expand thought and bring communities together.
Through accessible and inclusive workshops and participatory events, dialogue and knowledge is exchanged and experience is shared making the art relevant to the participants.
Through my work I weave in themes of ecology, wilderness, gender, self awareness and collaboration in order to increase wellbeing and connect communities to each other and to place.
Studying painting at Edinburgh College of Art and then spending several years working as a qualified outdoor education practitioner and Mountain Leader, I have resolved to focus my work on outdoor place-based exploratory research and interactive events, although I also continue to paint and exhibit work in more formal gallery settings.
CV
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​Education and Training
2021-2022 PGDE Primary Teaching University of the Highlands and Islands
2019- 2020 MA Art and Social Practice University of the Highlands and Islands
2015 Mountain Leader Mountain Training Association
2009-2013 BA HONS Painting Edinburgh College of Art
2008-2009 Degree Foundation Forth Valley College
Participatory Projects, Events and Workshops
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2023- 2024 ‘Creative Journeys’ a collaborative walking art project between two primary schools
2021-2022 ‘A Seamless Landscape,’ a collaboration with Louise Emslie, funded by Cairngorms Connect
2021 Delivering an online workshop on collaborative practice for Lyth Art Centre newly appointed artists in residence.
2021 ‘Art on the Edge: Socially Engaged Arts Practice in Rural and Coastal Communities’. One of 4 speakers presenting a talk about our practice as part of UHI The Edge seminar series.
2021 A walking art workshop delivered for the Fort William Mountain Festival.
2020 ‘Tree Lines’ MA Art and Social Practice final project, UHI
2019 ‘Landscape Mindscape’ as part of MA Art and Social Practice. A collaboration between Louise Kernaghan and Louise Emslie, we invited participants to join us on a creative walk in Glen Nevis to observe, note take and respond to the surroundings.
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2018 ‘Journey’ a project for primary aged children with Room 13
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Experience and Awards
2024- 2025 Associate member, Circus Artspace CaraVAN
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2024 Fellowship with Circus Artspace, Inverness.
2023- Present Volunteer artist for Room 13
2020- Present Board member for Room 13
2017 Outlandia Artist Residency, Glen Nevis.
Selected Exhibitions
2016 Flop Culture (Poster Girls), Gayfield Creative Spaces, Edinburgh
2014 RSA Open (Poster Girls), The Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
2013 Seite an Seite - Side by Side, Forum Vebikus, Schaffhause
2013 Landforms, Edinburgh College of Art
2013 This Land, The Travelling Gallery
2013 MISC, Gayfield Creative Spaces
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