Photo by Kristopher Roller on Unsplash
Facilitator, event chair, panellist, reader
If you’re looking for a poet or writer to share their work at your virtual or in-person event, and one or more of the themes below feel like a good fit, sound me out! If I’m unavailable I may be able to suggest another writer.
I have experience as a creative writing workshop facilitator, event chair and panellist, and have provided consultations on some of the topics below. I’ve also had the immense privilege of sitting on selection panels for Cove Park, Collective Satellites programme, Edwin Morgan Poetry Prize and the Scottish International Storytelling Festival.
Collaborative artist, arts programmer
I love collaborating with writers, artists and creatives on projects large and small. If you’re interested in working together, get in touch!
Themes, topics and activities I’m interested in…
I’m often drawn to projects that:
- Facilitate community
- Develop artistic practice
- Foster professional development
- Improve representation of/for underrepresented writers and artists, especially BIPOC and/or disabled artists
My artistic practice draws on:
- The ‘in between’ and liminal spaces
- Intergenerational memory
- Science and science fiction
- Speculative futures
- Magical realism and realist fantasies
- Folklore, especially Scottish and Caribbean
- Histories tucked away or just keeking out
- Themes and intersections of belonging, grief, disability, secrecy and survival
Current & past collaborative group projects include:
Scottish BPOC Writers Network (ongoing)
Scottish BPOC Writers Network is an advocacy and professional development organisation for Black and POC writers in Scotland. It was co-founded in 2018 by poets Alycia Pirmohamed and Jay G Ying. Initially a collective of artists, I got involved in the summer of 2019. My role as Co-Director since January 2021 primarily involves working across access, partnerships, fundraising and writer development.
Death Writes Network (2022 – present)
I’m a member of the Death Writes Network, a collective of 30 writers working on prose of poetry exploring themes related to death, dying and grief. The organisers, Carrie Foulkes, Dr Elizabeth Reeder, Dr Amy Shea, Niamh Gordon, and Dr Naomi Richards, are based out of the University of Glasgow.
Bridging Time workshops & anthology (2024 – 2025)
Over 20 local Edinburgh writers with links to the North Bridge participated in three creative writing workshops across two groups, and created work to be published in an anthology – here’s the book… North Bridge: Where We Travelled. Part of the North Bridge Refurbishment Arts Legacy and Community Benefits Programme, supported by the City of Edinburgh Council.
Windrush Legacy Creative Reflections exhibition & pamphlet (2023)
People of Caribbean descent based in Scotland creatively explored our experiences, reflected on and celebrated our roots and our lives in Scotland, sharing cultural or personal stories and dreaming into our futures. Co-curated with poet Courtney Stoddart, and artist Kezia Lewis.
An Ocean of Patience, Momentum (2021)
The first in a potential series of international cross-artform duets involving a creative response to the provocation “How can organisations and institutions integrate more inclusive practices to benefit communities through platforming disabled artists?” This was funded by a Momentum micro-grant (British Council and Festivals Edinburgh).
I hope to develop this project further to facilitate more duets across borders, oceans and continents. If you’re an artist who identifies as disabled, deaf, blind, neurodiverse and/or chronically ill, or represent an interested arts organisation, please register your interest here (opens in new tab).
Digital and Management Experience
I have over 15 years’ experience in digital management and marketing strategy, including:
- Digital project management, systems and workflow
- Digital marketing and communications strategy
- Content management and content marketing, including content audits, marketing materials, social media, analytics, accessibility
- Traditional marketing and PR
- Website design, build, and management
- Experience with and can deliver training on apps including Asana, Eventbrite, MailChimp, Canva, and CMS including WordPress
My general project management includes:
- Partnerships and community development, annual programming
- Funding applications, budgets, financial planning
- Digital and in-person events, professional development, EDI, accessibility
- Team management, delegating, contracts, onboarding, training and mentoring
Fun fact! I went to art school and have a degree in printed textiles from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee, Scotland. After I graduated, I ran a business from 2004 to 2010 – an ecommerce and pop-up events platform for Scottish designer-makers.
Want to talk about your project?
I’m typically not available for last-minute work (less than two weeks’ notice) but I’m happy to talk about projects that are in a couple of months’ time, some months away, or in the early stages.