Writer in Residence Appointed to Create a Living Story of Dumfries

The Stove Network is delighted to announce the appointment of poet Stuart Paterson in the post of writer-in-residence. The residency is part of their new ‘Lowland Project’ which looks to create a living story of Dumfries over the next three years by placing professional writers within the community to reflect a town in an important place in its history.

Stuart Paterson, who is a former BBC Scotland Poet in Residence, commented: ‘‘I’m delighted to become writer in residence for the Stove’s Lowland project for the next three months. Putting creativity and art at the heart of Dumfries’s town centre regeneration is an exciting thing in which to be involved. Poetry and art ought to be accessible and enjoyable for everyone, no exceptions, and relevant to the place it’s in. I’m really looking forward to engaging with the people of Dumfries to create and share ideas of what we want our town to be, to produce work which will make folk smile, think and feel they’re part of, not apart from.’’

Lowland is a project to help connect people with literature activity in the town and help contribute to an evolving series of installations, artworks, readings and events which will stimulate and grow creative responses of what it is to live in Dumfries right now. Working alongside community groups and other town related activity, Lowland hopes to ignite Dumfries’ creative ingenuity in the written word and highlight a town at a peak of ambition and creativity.

Stove Curatorial Team Member and Lowland Lead Artist, Martin Joseph O’Neill, commented: “It’s a really amazing opportunity to be able to not only support our local professional writers over the next few years in different ways, but also an opportunity for people with an interest in reading and writing to break through. With the Stove’s Brave New Words open mic events growing month after month, this is a chance to really make our mark, showcasing emerging and professional writers on the national stage in an innovative and exciting way.’’

For further information on the Lowland project email [email protected] or pop along to Brave New Words, hosted every last Friday of the month at the Stove, 100 High Street.