Social Arts Practice, Workshops & Creative Facilitation
My creative social practice is driven by a deep curiosity about lived experience and a commitment to the stories, experiences and personal idiosyncrasies that define us. By centering playfulness, conversation, and co-creation, I work to dismantle barriers to entry, ensuring that creativity is accessible, liberating and enjoyable for everyone, particularly for those with the most complex needs.
I've been lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of groups and communities within the UK and abroad, including arts based charities, cultural institutions, schools, galleries and more! My social practice spans demographics, with substantial experience in facilitation for young people, adults and those with ASN, English as a second or other language and other barriers to engagement.
Children and Young People
Over the years I have worked with hundreds of young people, from my regular work with SmARTies art club for 6 - 12 year olds at Whale Arts, to long term arts and wellbeing projects for young people aged 14 - 25 with barriers to traditional education and arts access. Seeing young people grow in confidence and skill, introducing them to new and exciting ideas and co-designing youth led projects and outcomes which bring their passions and imaginations to life is an incredibly rewarding , inspiring and enriching experience! Below are a selection of examples and outcomes from recent youth workshops and events.
Paper Plants and Folded Flowers
Art workshop with young people aged 6 - 12 in Edinburgh.
Art Robots and Kinetic Sculptures
STEM based arts and technology workshops with 6 - 16 year olds!
Carnival Costume Creations
Textiles workshops & Edinburgh Carnival 2025 with young people aged 6 - 16
3D Layered Box Sculptures
Art workshop with young people aged 6 - 12 in Edinburgh.
ASN and complex needs
I specialise in creating inclusive and inspiring art workshops and creative events for both children and adults with additional support needs and other barriers to engagement. A particular highlight of my work with these communities was project managing ‘We Grow Together’, an ambitious installation with the charity UPMO featuring a forest of 100+ trees, embedded soundscapes, and digital media created by participants with learning disabilities and autism across the Lothians.
I also lead personalised 1-1 creative play sessions with young people with ASN as part of Play, Sense, Create at Whale arts, which is one of the most joyful and creatively liberating things I've ever experienced! Below are some examples of work with adults and young people with complex needs.
'We Grow Together'
Multi sensory arts installation and exhibition with adults with learning disabilities and autism. Co-conceived, designed and created with the wonderful students of UPMO.
Panto and Costumes!
Costume design and creation workshop with adults with learning disabilities, and images of Upmo's wonderful Panto, in which I starred as the evil fairy queen!
Stop Motion Animations
Animation workshop using 3D models to create short stop motion tales.
Community Workshops and Events
I have a particular passion for community workshops that cater for young and old alike, where activities can be tailored and personalised to individuals from all walks of life for a truly enriching creative experience that facilitate conversation and build connection. Being able to work with and get to know specific communities over prolonged periods allows for a deeply enriching experience of mutual growth and discovery between artist and participants.
Festive Fayre Wreath Making
Annual wreath making workshop at Whale Arts Winter Fayre!
Cyanotype Workshops
Community Cyanotype workshops at Barnton Bunker and Whale arts.
Questions? Interesting stories? Exciting project ideas for which you seek colourful collaborators? Please don't hesitate to get in touch!
