Training

1994-2000 THURSO HIGH SCHOOL

2000 - 2004 BA (HONS) FINE ART/PAINTING GRAY'S SCHOOL OF ART, ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND

2007 MASTERCLASS WITH SILVIA LEVENSON - NORTH LANDS CREATIVE GLASS, LYBSTER, SCOTLAND

2008 MASTERCLASS WITH ANN WOLFF - NORTH LANDS CREATIVE GLASS, LYBSTER, SCOTLAND

2009 MASTERCLASS WITH STEVE KLEIN AND KAFFE FASSETT - NORTH LANDS CREATIVE GLASS, LYBSTER, SCOTLAND

2014 INSTRUCTORS WORKSHOP - BULLSEYE GLASS CO, PORTLAND, OREGON, USA

2015 ART BUSINESS CERTIFICATE – CHRISTIES EDUCATION, LONDON

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Selected Work Experience

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May 2004 – Present   Practising Artist

Full – time, established Artist specialising in Painting and Glass, creating work to commission and for exhibition for private and corporate clients. Specialist in statement pieces for interiors

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2013 – Present Ambassador - Women’s Enterprise Scotland

Women’s Enterprise Scotland Ambassadors seek to inspire, motivate, engage and connect with women-led start-up and growth businesses, with the objective of increasing the contribution of women’s enterprise to the Scottish economy

https://wesambassadors.co.uk/about/

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August 2024 - October 2025  Commissioned Artist - "The Ripple Effect" In collaboration with  NHS Grampian Organ Donation Team

This commission is to create a large glass wall installation in the emergency room foyer at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, both in memory of organ donors and to encourage discussion about the service, and in turn foster more organ donation. This colourful fused glass artwork will interact with the changing light in the room, and will be an uplifting and inspiring piece to reflect the positive act of organ donation. 

Workshops with around 18 schools across the NHS Grampian area will take place to educate/inform about Organ Donation, and create small glass pieces to be used in the installation. 

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January 2024 – Commissioned Artist – Memorial for Victims and Survivors of Domestic Abuse – Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museum.

The piece, visible from both inside and outside the gallery, signifies the venue as a Safe Space for victims.

It was unveiled by HRH Queen Camilla to mark the launch of the initiative - The Queen visits support spaces for survivors of domestic abuse | The Royal Family 

 

December 2023 – Visiting Artist – Lo-Invisible Studio, Lisbon Portugal

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May 2022 – July 2023 Instructor – North Lands Creative Glass – Lybster – Caithness

Delivery of Community Fused Glass Classes and projects

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February 2023 Guest Artist – DIY Artists Residency (Online) – North America

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October 2022 – Artist Residency – Chicago Glass Collective – Chicago USA

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Sep/October 2022 Artist Residency, Pilchuck Glass School

Artist Symposium facilitated by Steve Klein and Richard Parrish

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May – September 2022 – CAIR Artist – Sinclair’s Bay Trust – Lyth Arts Centre

During this Community Arts Initiative called “Safe Harbour” I led the community of Sinclair’s Bay through a series of events and workshops through which they considered what helped them feel safe in their community. During the Residency I facilitated a number of indoor and outdoor art/craft workshops, and pop up workshops for all ages, established the “Sinclair’s Bay Creatves” and held a fundraising Ceilidh!

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August 2021 – Treestories Residency – Duthie Park

Artist Residency during which I led school age children through a series of workshops to celebrate their relationship to Duthie Park. This culminated in the design and installation of a community mural in the park. Photographs of happy memories of the Park were sent in by the public, printed onto tiles and incorporated into the final design.

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Summer 2021

Artist – “Light the North”

Sculpture trail in Aid of CLAN

Light the North - Lighthouse Art Trail 2021 - Light The North

 

November 2019/August 2020

Commissioned by Elev8 Arts and ADP South Community Forum to deliver series of workshops and design/install community mural at Bellfield Rose Garden, to decrease the social stigma experienced by recovering addicts. In collaboration with Artist Mary Butterworth. Installation was delayed due to Covid Restrictions in early 2020

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Sep/Oct 2019 - Everyday Heroes – Commissioned Artist

Commissioned by Aberdeen Inspired (BID) to extend the “Everyday Heroes” Wall, an initiative that saw local “Heroes” nominated by the public, then celebrated through the creation and installation of a series of mosaic plaques in Aberdeen City Centre. Original concept by Artist Carrie Reichardt

https://www.aberdeeninspired.com/festival/nuart-aberdeen/everyday-heroes

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Summer 2019

Oor Wullie BIG Bucket Trail – Selected Artist

Scultpure trail in aid of the Archie Foundation.

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March – July 2019 – Commissioned Artist – Recovery Tree - Stonehaven

Commissioned by Elev8 Arts and ADP South Community Forum to deliver series of workshops and design/install community mosaic on Stonehaven Beach Front, to decrease the social stigma experienced by recovering addicts. In collaboration with Artist Mary Butterworth.

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April 2019 – Nuart Aberdeen

Reinstallation of Carrie Reichardt’s “Everyday Heroes” mosaic, including fabrication of panels, facilitation of community workshops and site installation. Assistant to Artist Ememem

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May 2018 –  September 2018 Present Community Artist for Vattenfall UK

Commission to create a series of Artworks for permanent display in the Vattenfall offices in collaboration with the local community, to celebrate the installation of the Aberdeen Offshore Windfarm

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June 2018 “Seeking Stillness” International Residency at North Lands Creative Glass, Lybster

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April 2018 – Assistant to Carrie Reichhardt – Nuart Aberdeen

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January 2018 Site Specific Commission for the Silver Darling Restaurant - Aberdeen

Commission of a large scale glass sculpture and heritage decoupage as part of the refurbishment of the restaurant. Historic photographs gathered from the local community were incorporated into the final design.

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August/September 2017 Artist in Residence Duthie Park, Aberdeen

During this residency I worked with around 1000 members of the local community including 3 primary schools, and a group from Dementia Aware to design, create and install a large scale Mosaic, which is now a permanent fixture of the David Welch Winter Gardens. Alongside this, I developed a body of work which was displayed in the gardens in November 2017 https://www.facebook.com/sswansonartist/videos/1753592711326990/

 

Summer 2017 Friends of Anchor 20for20 Sculpture Trail

Selected to paint one of 20 Anchors that formed the 20for20 Anchor trail in aid of Friends of Anchor ; my design is inspired by the ship building heritage of Aberdeen https://www.shelaghswanson.com/single-post/2017/04/19/Anchor-Ahoy

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April – July 2017 The Fittie Mosaic Mural project.

Community Project taking place at my studio; the public have been asked to collect pieces of glass and ceramic from the shoreline and donate to the project, which, when enough Is gathered, will  be used in the making of a large scale mural on the walls  outside my studio. Elements will be created in both painting and mosaic https://www.shelaghswanson.com/single-post/2017/04/11/Imagination-Sparking-Walls

 

March 2017 - The Marvellous Mosaic Project – Celebrating 40 Years of Bower Primary School

I  acted as Artist in Residence at Bower Primary, Caithness to facilitate the design and creation of a fused glass mosaic, which, inspired by their local surroundings, was installed on the school frontage to commemorate it's 40th birthday.

 

Summer 2016 Oor Wullie Bucket Trail – Dundee

Selected to paint one of the “Oor Wullies” that formed the Bucket Trail, in aid of the Archie Foundation. The design commemorated 2016 being Scotland's Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, and featured 20 illustrations of iconic Scottish architecture.

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June 2015 – June 2016 Present Managing Director – Pentland Fine Art Ltd - Aberdeen

Founder and manager of Pentland Fine Art Dealers and gallery, representing established names in Scottish Art, including Calum Colvin, Alan Robb, Arran Campbell Ross and Joe Fan.

Responsible for all day to day operations, to include

• Curation of exhibitions

• Exhibition design

•  Staff management

• Liaising with artists and customers

•  Appraisals/valuations of Fine Art

• Sales

• Customer Service

•  Business Planning and Development

•  Marketing and PR.

 

November 2015  - Relief Lecturer of Art, North East Scotland College, Gallowgate, Aberdeen

Provided a period of cover until permanent staff could be found; delivering modules in Mixed Media and Life Drawing to HNC and HND students.

 

May 2010 – June 2015 Owner – Oil and Glass, Aberdeen

Founder and manager of Oil and Glass, Painting and Glass Studio, responsible for all day to day operations, to include

• Painting and glass making to create work for sale

• Teaching Workshops/Workshop Development

• Curation of exhibitions

•  Staff management and training

•  Liaising with artists

• Sales/ Customer Service

• Business planning and development

•  Marketing and PR

• Coordination of multiple satellite sales opportunities (market stalls, craft fairs, pop up shops)

Throughout my time at Oil and Glass I enjoyed teaching regular classes to a number of individuals and groups of all ages from the local community including – Young People from the Aberdeen Guarantees Scheme, Maryfeld West Care Home, Momentum Brain Injury Services, local schools, business groups as well as offering “Introduction to fused glass Workshops” and drop in sessions to the general public.

I also held a number of charity and community events, two of the most memorable being: 24 Hour Arty People, when over a period of 24hours myself and guest artists created various artworks , which were then sold via silent and online auction. The proceeds were donated to Momentum Brain Injury Services. The Torry Window Project, when I curated a show from the 2013 Gray's School Degree Show and displayed work, not only in Oil and Glass, but also in a number of windows in Torry, transforming the community into an open-air gallery for 2 weeks.

I also hosted a number of Artist Residencies for new Gray's Graduates and Work Experience placements, for both school pupils and those looking to get back into the workplace, in collaboration with the Shaw Trust and Momentum Brain Injury Services.

March 2015 -Assistant to Steve Klein and Richard Parrish, Bullseye Glass Company, Portland Oregon

Assistant to the artists in the creation of a series of glass windows for  the Temple Beth Sholom, Orange County, USA - https://www.fusiostudio.com/temple-beth-sholom

 

February 2015: “First Light” Symposium, The Arctic Glass Studio – Berlevag, Norway

I was one of 10 International Artists selected to take place in this special project, curated by US artists Steve Klein and Richard Parrish, where we collaboratively developed work in response to the theme.

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June 2010: Artist in Residence, North Lands Creative Glass

During this Residency I worked with various community groups to design and create a glass map of Caithness, to capture the community's thoughts and ideas about their surrounding area.

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November 2008 – May 2010: Adult Arts Education and Reminiscence Tutor, The Highland Council, Wick

3 weekly workshops with residents of Pulteney House Care Home and users of the Laurandy Day Care Centre, covering a wide variety of arts and crafts-based activities combined with reminiscence.

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January 2010 – May 2010: Caithness Arts Co-ordinator

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March 2010 Guest Curator, Timespan, Helmsdale, Sutherland

Co curated “A Vitreous North,” Works by International Artists from the North Lands Creative Glass Collection

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August 2004 – May 2010: Lead Gallery Attendant, St Fergus Gallery, Wick

I was responsible for the day to day running of the Gallery including

•  Set up/break down of monthly changing exhibitions,

• Welcoming visitors and interpretive duties to improve their visit

•  Provision of art workshops and talks for schools and community groups,

• Condition reports and monitoring of exhibits,

• Curation of special exhibitions

•  Sales and Marketing

• Liasing with artists and partners, including the Caithness Ranger Service and North Highland Archives.

 During my time at the gallery I founded the “Foyer Gallery” which celebrates the work of local artists on an ongoing basis, it still is in operation today.

November 2009: Visiting Artist, Keiss Primary School, Caithness

Pupils were led through a series of drawing, collage and mosaic workshops in order to create 6 large mosaics for their school frontage

October 2006 – December 2008 Evening Class Lecturer in Art/Relief Staff, North Highland College, Wick and Thurso Campus.

Twice weekly art lessons provided to the public.

August 2008: Visiting Artist, The International Festival of Glass, Stourbridge, West Midlands

Introduction to Fused Glass Workshop at Broadfield House Glass Museum, as part of the festival programme

May 2008: Visiting Artist, “The Mural Project” Thurso & Wick Youth Clubs

A series of workshops with centre users, over a period of 6 weeks (aged 11 -17) to design and create a graffiti wall mural using stencils, which expressed their feelings of what it is like to be a teenager in Thurso.

January to April 2008 – Artist in Residence, Broadfield House Glass Museum and Red House Glass Cone  

During this Residency 50% of my time was spent developing new works in fused glass and mixed media, with the remainder being time spent working with the local community. I facilitated several workshops with local schools, community groups and centre staff, gave drawing tours of the Museum and introduced them to Fused Glass Techniques. This project had two outcomes, by the end of the residency the visiting community groups created a large fused glass mural, inspired by the Red House Glass Cone (where it is now on permanent display) and a permanent fused glass studio was established, to be used by the community in the future.

April, May and July 2007 Visiting Artist, Ormlie Community Association

I led several workshops in a variety of Arts based activities, including drawing, collage, working with found objects, construction, and mural painting.

June 2007 Visiting Artist – Pennyland School, Thurso

I worked with pupils to create a series of faux stained glass murals on glass dividing walls in the school using glass paints and decals.

February – August 2006 pARTners Residency, North Lands Creative Glass and Lyth Arts Centre, Caithness

During this residency I collaborated with a writer and a glassmaker to provide various community groups with workshops, including after school groups, day care centre user groups and to residents of residential care homes for the elderly and with severe special needs. The participants were led through reminiscence and storytelling workshops, which they then interpreted visually through various media, which in turn inspired glass pieces, made on visits to North Lands Creative Glass. Time was also spent creating work inspired by the local area. The residency culminated with a month-long exhibition at Lyth Arts Centre, which featured both the artist's work and that of the community participants.

 

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Solo Exhibitions

2023 The Courtyard Artspace, Aberdeen

2019 Waterloo Quay, Aberdeen

2018 Musa

2017 Artist Residency Exhibition – David Welch Winter Gardens, Aberdeen

2016 “Where the Sky Has Wings” Pentland Fine Art, Aberdeen

2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Oil and Glass, Aberdeen

2012 Fonthill Road Gallery, Aberdeen

2009 Timespan Gallery - Helmsdale

2007 "The Mill" T3UK, Janetstown, Caithness

2006 "Dereliction" University of the Highlands and Islands, Wick Campus, Caithness

2004 ‘AB Alec Broon’ St Fergus Gallery, Wick, Caithness

 

 Selected Group Exhibitions

2023 Re:Collection - The Courtyard Artspace, Aberdeen

2023 "Spring" An exhibition by selected members of The Society of Caithness Artists - Thurso Gallery

2022 Aberdeen Artists Society

2022 Highland Art Prize - City Contemporary Art - Perth *Shortlisted Artist*

2021 Society of Scottish Artists - Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh

2021 "Maggie's Extravaganza" Lyon & Turnbull, Edinburgh

2021 Lindsey Gallacher Studio, Thurso

2020 "Coming Home" Aberdeen Artists Society 

2020 North East Ensemble Eion Stewart Fine Art – Stonehaven

2020/21 Lindsay Gallacher Studio, Thurso

2020 Eoin Stewart Fine Art Mixed Summer Show

2017 - “Nature's Imprint” Haddo Country Park, as part of Haddo Arts Festival.

2016/2017 Alien Hole Gallery, Inverness

2016 Group Show, Pentland Fine Art

2015 “Between Worlds” - Pentland Fine Art, Aberdeen alongside Joe Fan and Philip Braham. 

2015 Group Show - Pentland Fine Art, Aberdeen

2014, 2015 Mixed Show - The Green Gallery, Buchlyvie, Stirlingshire

2013, 2014 Society of Aberdeen Artists Annual Exhibition - Aberdeen Art Gallery

2014 Mixed Show - "Artist of the Month" Larks Gallery, Ballater

2013, 2014 Mixed Show - The Richard Colquhoun Gallery, Aberdeen inc Calum Colvin, John Bellany, Alan Robb, Derrick Guild

2013 "Portfolio" St James's Place Wealth Management, Aberdeen

2011 Mixed Show - Rosemount Gallery, Aberdeen

2010 "Vitreous North" Timespan Gallery, Helmsdale

2010 "Take Thirty" 30 Year Anniversary Exhibition - Broadfield House Glass Museum, West Midlands

2001-2010 ‘Society of Caithness Artists, Thurso

2008 “Glass Paper Paint” North Lands Creative Glass, Lybster

2008 ‘Found In Translation’ Red House Glass Cone, Stourbridge, West Midlands

2007 ‘Latitudes’ Recent Highland Graduates Exhibition. Tour of Highland Council Galleries

2006 ‘Contrasts’ Caithness Arts Festival Exhibition, St Fergus Gallery

2006 ‘Face North’ Lyth Arts Centre, Caithness

2006 Highland Open - Swanson Gallery, Thurso - St Fergus Gallery, Wick - Inverness Museum and Art Gallery

2006 "Two Caithness Artists" Flitch Art Gallery, Greater Dunmow, Essex 

2006 ‘Makars in Progress’ Exhibition by ‘The Freswick Group’, St Fergus Gallery, Wick, Caithness

2005 ‘Cornucopia’ Swanson Gallery, Thurso, Caithness

2004 ‘New Generation Show’ Compass Gallery, Glasgow. 

2004 ‘RSA Annual Student Exhibition’ The Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh

 

Selected Corporate Clients

Elevator

CLAN

Verus Petroleum

The Oil and Gas Technology Centre

Imajica Brand Evolution

The Archie Foundation

Aberdeen Inspired

Aberdeen City Council

Vattenfall

DC Thomson

Opportunity North East

The Press and Journal 

Scottish Business in The Community

Aberdeen And Grampian Chamber of Commerce

The Silver Darling Restaurant

NHS Grampian

TAQA

Grampian Food Forum

Stork Technical Services

Wood Group

Stronachs Solicitors

KCA Deutag

Jump Marketing