Current residency with Josh Williams

Artful Migration

Artful Migration residency 2025 – Josh Williams

Joshua Williams, a traditionally trained studio potter based in Galloway, is undertaking the new Artful Migration Commission for 2025. The commission offers the opportunity for an early career artist to devise and facilitate creative engagement activities to raise the profile of the Galloway Oakwoods – the Temperate Rainforest of Galloway. The oakwoods are made up of four areas of woodland: Wood of Cree, Carstramon Wood, Glentrool Oakwoods and Killiegowan Wood.

‘It has been my aim for a while now to develop my practice with regards to Environmental art and engagement, and I want to be part of the conversation in Galloway as to what is important for the environment, species and communities which exist here”

- Joshua Williams

- Joshua Williams (2)

The first participatory workshop led by Josh took place on 18th March 2025 with positive feedback from the participants. They explored the oakwoods, took clay impressions of the trees and created clay models which will be fired and exhibited in August. The second participatory workshop will take place near Glen Trool and will offer participants a walk to the Rufus Stone and glimpse the oak apple gall wasps and Shakespeare’s ink, warblers and redstarts and select lichens used for dyeing. Images, clay objects and artefacts inspired by this ancient woodland will be part of an exhibition curated by Josh Williams in August 2025.

The commission is funded by Moving Souls Dance and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership. It is being delivered by Upland in partnership with MSD, the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership and RSPB Scotland. This residency is linked to our Artful Migration partnership with Upland, which will lead into a new artist in residence programme in 2026.