John Hudson has been working as a freelance writer since 1980; he is extra mural lecturer in English for the University of Glasgow and has wide ranging experience of delivering workshops, creative writing courses and creative residencies in Britain and Europe. He is Director of Literature for the Bakehouse, in Dumfrieshire where he lives and the editor of Markings, a high quality literary magazine. He is also the author of several volumes of poetry, including Garden of Love (2009) WiderEye; and The Pumpkin Lantern (2008) Markings.

John will run two sets of workshops. The first, a series of four sessions, will focus on different aspects of creative writing: from developing ideas to creative detachment and editing. The second will run on Saturday 7th and Saturday 14th of November and will look at publishing – in particular internet publishing. The sessions will allow participants to develop the skills and the knowledge needed to make the most of modern publishing opportunities, particularly relevant to Shetlanders given their distance from markets and publishing companies. John will also be offer one-to-one sessions with local writers.

The residency is run by Shetland Arts and supported by funding from the Scottish Arts Council.  Literature Development Officer, Donald Anderson said, “ John Hudson is an immensely enthusiastic and highly motivational writing tutor, with a wealth of knowledge and experience. We are delighted that he has agreed to take up this residency and we hope that writers in Shetland of every level of experience will benefit from his input.”

In order to book a one-to-one session with John, phone Donald Anderson or Emily Sharp on 01595 743 843. For further information and to book a place on the workshops phone Shetland Box Office on 01595 745 555.

Shetland Arts’ Creative Connections is a marathon, seven-day and night festival, celebrating the contemporary creative culture of Shetland, incorporating four summer schools, cultural and creative visits across the islands, showcase concerts and dances, a specially curated exhibition and an artist residency.  This event is part of Scotland’s Year of Homecoming and takes place throughout Shetland between 3 – 9 August.

Now into its sixth year, Fiddle Frenzy is Shetland’s renowned fiddle school using top exponents of their craft to teach tunes and techniques drawn from the unique island traditions as heard world wide by our contemporary performers. In addition to the daily workshops held throughout the week in Lerwick, Whalsay and Fetlar, Fiddle Frenzy provides seven days of concerts in Lerwick’s Garrison Theatre, at the Clickimin Centre, in the village of Voe and on the island of Fetlar. This year’s showcase concerts include performances by Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham, Fiddlers Bid, Bryan Gear and Violet Tulloch, Fullscelidh Spelemannslag, Kevin Henderson, the Heritage Fiddlers and many more.

For 2009 there have been additions made to the week long summer school event.  ‘Art Craft Experience’ is based on Shetland’s well known textile culture, grown from our knitting techniques and continuous creative development. During the workshops the tutors will teach basic Shetland knitted structures and their contemporary application for creative textiles.  Afternoon visits will take students to the studios of some of Shetland’s visual artists, craft makers and applied artists, to see their work and share in their experiences of working as an artist in Shetland. Students will visit the Bonhoga Gallery for the ‘Diaspora’ exhibition featuring four Shetland artists who have chosen to live outwith Shetland, and four artists who have made their home in the islands.  An artist in residence with family connections in Shetland, Hazel White, will spend a month at The Booth, an artist living/working space in Scalloway.  She will take part in some of the workshops while developing a project around her work in digital jewellery.

‘Makkin’ Wi Wirds’ is the title of the writing workshops with T.S. Eliot Prize winner, Jen Hadfield, exploring ideas of place through praise poem, myth and music. Shetland has a well respected literature scene, and these workshops will give students the encouragement to realise their ideas and visit some of the dramatic sites that have inspired some very high profile writers, from Robert Louis Stevenson to Will Self. Students will have an opportunity to share their compositions by stepping up to the ‘open mike’ at Creative Connection Club nights.

Another integral part of Creative Connections is ‘Shetland’s Storytelling Festival’, our top storytellers accompany the afternoon cultural trips and provide an insight into the folklore of the islands and the contemporary yarning that still flourishes in day to day Shetland life, act as hosts for the concerts and the festival club and provide that invaluable insight to Shetland past and present.

Clickimin Comedy is a stand up comedy event on Friday 7th at the Clickimin Centre, Lerwick, featuring visiting comedians Michael Redmond, Steven Dick and Eilidh MacAskill together with local comedian Les Sinclair and compère Sandy Nelson. The event is part of Shetland Arts comedy development programme which has so far included events such as Stand Up At Sound and Stand Up Helly Aa.

Creative Connections ‘Festival Club’ at the Garrison Theatre, provides a chance, each evening after the concerts, for all students and visitors to mix and enjoy traditional music and storytelling sessions until the early hours.

Bookings can be make from Shetland Box office 01595 745555 or in person from Islesburgh Community Centre, King Harald Street, Lerwick.

Contact us for more information on Creative Connections.

Shetland Arts are providing three local artists with the opportunity to make new work at the Booth in Scalloway.

Jo Jack, Ana Horne and Vaila Cumming are all Shetland artists who create artwork based on  the unique environment of these islands.

Throughout the month of May, the three artists are spending time working from this inspiring waterfront venue. Working in their own choice of medium, they will use their time at the Booth to both reflect on and to develop their own artistic practice by visually responding to their environment.

They will be creating artworks which will vary from textile pieces inspired by the sea and its microscopic creatures to woven artworks based on photographs and drawings of Scalloway to sculptures of seal heads cast from bronze.

‘By providing this space and time away from my daily life, Shetland Arts has enabled me to  create work I would not otherwise have been able to make. There is something about coming into the space at the Booth that clears your head and inspires you to make work.’  Said Jo Jack, artist.

All three artists are graduates of Shetland College and see this residency opportunity offered by Shetland Arts as development of their professional practice.

There will be a chance to view the work created by the three artists at the end of the residency. Please contact Shetland Arts for more details.

For more information on the above residency, please contact:
Clair Aldington or Hazel Hughson at Shetland Arts on 01595 743843 or info@shetlandarts.org