The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Arts centre’s future shaped by council’s ‘yes’
Plans to improve and extend a north-east arts centre have been rubberstamped by Aberdeenshire Council.
The Scottish Sculpture Workshop (SSW) is an internationally recognised organisation based in Lumsden.
Founded by sculptor Fred Bushe in 1979, it provides dedicated foundry, metal, wood and ceramics workshops for local, national and international visiting artists.
Over the past 40 years it has grown to become one of the top destinations in the
UK for those interested in crafting.
The workshop submitted an application to Aberdeenshire Council to expand the facility earlier this year.
The proposals included upgrading the metal, wood, and cold-casting workshops, creating a new street-facing community area and enhancing their disabled access.
It is hoped that, under the new plans, there could be better opportunities for the workshop to collaborate with schools, community groups and Lumsden residents.
Aberdeenshire Council approved planning permission this week.
Sam Trotman, the director of the workshop and Lumsden resident, said: “We are delighted to receive planning permission for our new development at SSW.
“We believe SSW will become a real site of possibility, where artists and communities are empowered through collective learning and skills development.”