Modern Makers 2025

What is the Modern Makers project?
A chance for a small group of young people to be tutored intensively for 17 days by a professional maker to learn new skills and to develop their own practice.

This year’s participants will experience hands-on learning with skilled rug maker, Laura Derby, and artist and maker Lucy Lee.

The participants will work closely with Laura and Lucy to design and make their own naturally dyed, rug tufted stool tops. The project entails around 17 group sessions which will be spread between March – June 2025 with an additional ‘go & see’ visit and showcasing opportunity.

During this project, participants will experience the whole process of creating a rug tufted stool from conception to completion. They will participate in design work, visit the wood worker who will make the stools, consider provenance of the materials and gain hands-on experience in rug tufting and natural dyeing. The project will also include teamwork and safe studio practice. It will be an introduction to the way that craftspeople and artists work and how they consider the environment in their practice.

There will also be the chance to showcase the work created at the end of the project, if the group would like to.

Who is it for?
16 – 30 year olds from Dumfries and Galloway (you must be 30 years or under for the duration of the project). No previous experience is necessary, but we are looking for participants who wish to extend their creative skills, who are enthusiastic, energetic and prepared to fully engage with a hands-on making process. The rug tufting process can be physically demanding and does require coordination.

Where will the project be based?
The work will be based between WASPS Studios in Kirkcudbright and The Old Mill, Palnackie. There is a small amount of funding available to help participants with travel costs and subsistence. If you would like to take part but are not sure how you would get to the sessions, then please let us know in your application. We will help participants as much as we can with travel arrangements.