A sculpture workshop in Aberdeenshire that opened on the site of a former bakery in 1979 could be improved for future generations if new plans are approved.
The Scottish Sculpture Workshop in Lumsden has attracted creatives from all around the globe for more than 40 years.
Over the past four decades, it has grown to become one of the top destinations in the UK for those interested in crafting, from ceramics and painting to metalwork.
And now the workshop has officially submitted an application to Aberdeenshire Council for a new development that is hoped will greatly improve the site for both artists and the local community.
The proposals, developed by Collective Architecture in consultation with the workshop’s users and the local community, include upgrading the metal, wood, and cold-casting workshops, a new street-facing community area, better disabled access and greater environmental sustainability.
The management hope that under the new plans, there could be better opportunities to work with schools, community groups, Lumsden residents and others, to help make sure people living in the area benefit from the new facilities as well as the centre’s international connections.
Sam Trotman, the director of the workshop and Lumsden resident, said: “I believe the transformation of our site will open up significant opportunities for artist and our local community.
“We believe it is vital to offer the tools, skills, knowledge and networks to make and share arts and culture, and to support the building of resilient and creative communities.”
Over the years much has changed at the workshop, however many of the buildings still in use were built long before the former bakery closed its doors.
Jenny Salmean, programme and communications manager at the workshop, said: “The redevelopment of the site has been in the pipeline for quite a while, and very much needed for some time.
“Our wood and metal workshop is actually an original building that was there before the workshop, it used to be where the delivery vans for the bakery were stored.
“We have a real need as an organisation to upgrade our buildings and improve the working environment for people using our site.
“None of our workshops are currently heated, and as I’m sure you can imagine in the depths of winter that can be quite a difficult.
“Our main driving points for the redevelopment has been the flow and function of the site, accessibility for a wider range of people and environmental sustainability.
“Our technicians are amazing at accommodating people with different mobility needs within the workshops we have already, however there are limitations, so we really want to open up the Scottish Sculpture Workshop to more people, which of course includes our local community.”
