August 2025
Residencies, Events & Limited Editions
The final month of a busy summer sees residents travelling to us from across the UK and from Brazil, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Singapore, South Korea and the US to take part in our 25th year of residencies, special projects, and events.
August's Awarded Residencies include artists and collaborators Arwa Aburawa and Turab Shaw and writer Carol Rodrigues. They are joined by the recipient of the third Busan Cultural Foundation Residency, Lee Changjin. We are also delighted to welcome artist and cultural facilitator Hugo Llanes, here for four weeks through our partnership programme with the Nordic Alliance of Artsts' Residencies on Climate Action.
A number of former residents return to Cove Park this month: artist and weaver Raisa Kabir with collaborator Emelia Beatriz, and artist Ayo Akingbade, here for the second part of a residency organised with Glasgow's The Common Guild.
Working at Cove Park for one-week in advance of his appearance at Edinburgh International Book Festival is writer, translator, and former programme advisor Vincenzo Latronico.
Cove Park's Open Residencies welcome ceramic artist Janice Affleck, writer and educator Jamie Currie, writer-director Andrea Ferran, writers and collaborators Carole McAuley & Hunter McAauley, researchers and Lecturers in Film and TV Studies at the University of Glasgow Zahra Khosroshahi and Abi Jenkins, visual arts teacher Ruth Francesca Morgan, collaborative artist duo Matterlurgy (Helena Hunter & Mark Peter Wright), and painter Cynthia Young.
Read on for the launch of a new limited print by Matthew Arthur Williams commissioned by Cove Park, the announcement of the third Busan Cultural Foundation Residency, a call for applications to the second year of the Creative Kernow Residency, the final call for applications for the Loch Long Crime Writing Residency, details of a special event with former residents architect Jude Barber and author Louise Welsh,
and news of our next Saturday Studio workshop with artist and former resident Cat Auburn.
Images: above, the interior of the Jacobs Building at Cove Park (photography, Alan Dimmick); below, Cove Park's 25th Anniversary Logo (designed by graphic designer and former resident Maeve Redmond).
Launching 77°F
A New Limited Edition Print by
Matthew Arthur Williams
To mark Cove Park's 25th anniversary, we are thrilled to announce a new limited edition print by visual and sound artist, photographer, DJ, and former resident Matthew Arthur Williams.
Commissioned by Cove Park and produced in collaboration with DCA Print Studio, 77°F connects to the artist's recent work and ongoing interest in process-led practice, collaboration, and landscape. The screen printed image is on hand-dyed and deckle edged paper and each of the 30 available prints has a unique finish and texture. Further information on this work is available here.
This edition is available for the launch price of £300 (until 26 September 2025) and can be purchased via Cove Park's Shop.
77°F is accompanied by a commissioned text on Matthew's work by artist, writer, and former Cove Park resident Emmie McLuskey. This text reflects on Matthew's recent work and his collaborative practice. Copies are available at Cove Park and from our website via the Resources page.
We would like to thank Marion Ferguson and Katie Ravenscraig (DCA Print Studio), Emmie McLuskey, Maeve Redmond, and of course Matthew Arthur Williams.
Image: 77°F, Matthew Arthur Williams, 2025, Screenprint on Fabriano Rosaspina paper, hand dyed with Hibiscus, 62 x 47cm (photography, Patrick Jamieson)
Busan Cultural Foundation Residency
Awarded to Changjin Lee
Now in its third year, the Busan Cultural Foundation residency brings leading visual artists from South Korea to Scotland for one-month residencies.
This year, the residency has been awarded to Lee Changjin and we welcome the artist here in August. Changjin is known for his explorations of fluidity, transparency, and transformation. Since 2008, his work has evolved from organic sculptures to conceptual installations using water, dye, plants, and EL wire. His projects, including Water Always Finds Its Own Level, Dye Field, and Thunder, reflect a poetic engagement with nature and material.
We are grateful to The Busan Cultural Foundation for their ongoing support.
Image: 'Red Veil', 2021, Lee Changjin (image, courtesy of the artist).
Loch Long Crime Writing Residency 2025
Final Call for Applications
We are pleased to accept applications for the third edition of the Loch Long Crime Writing Residency – a fully funded opportunity for Scotland-based writers developing new work in crime fiction.
This two-week residency will take place from Monday 27 October - Sunday November 9 2025.
Scotland has a strong tradition of crime writing and many internationally acclaimed contemporary authors based in Scotland are known for their work in this genre. Former recipients of this residency include Caro Carver and Callum McSorley. This programme builds upon our ongoing commitment to the development of new writing in Scotland.
This residency is made possible with support from Cove Park's Patron programme.
Further information is available here and the deadline for applications is Monday 25 August 2025.
Image: The view of Loch Long from Cove Park (photography, Alan Dimmick)
Creative Kernow Associate Residency 2026
Call for Applications
In collaboration with Cornish cultural organisation Creative Kernow, we are delighted to host a two week residency from 2 - 15 March 2026. Associates of Creative Kernow are eligible to apply and further information and details of how to apply is available here.
This partnership builds upon our first residency earlier this year awarded to visual artist Melanie Stidolph, and we look forward to working with colleagues at Creative Kernow again.
Image: Studio Hàslam (photography, Tracy Bloxham).
25th Anniversary Events: Doors Open Day
20 September with Demelza Kingston
21 September with Jude Barber & Louise Welsh
As part of our 25th anniversary programme of special events, we are taking part in this year's Doors Open Day programme. Visitors are welcome from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 20 September and Sunday 21 September for tours of Cove Park and refreshments. Visitors are also invited to take part in two special events during the Doors Open Day weekend:
On Saturday, join fine art photographer and former resident Demelza Kingston for drop in photography workshops, from 1.30 - 3.30pm, for people of all ages drawing upon her experience of plant-based photography. This workshop forms part of our series of events supporting local ambitions to establish a biodiversity corridor from Cardross to Cove.
On Sunday, from 2-3.30pm, tickets are available for an in-conversation event with architect Jude Barber and writer Louise Welsh. Both former Cove Park residents, Jude and Louise are the researchers and presenters of the podcast Who Owns the Clyde? Join us to hear about this project and their work as co-directors of The Empire Cafe.
The Empire Café is an award-winning collective exploring Scotland’s relationship with empire. Established during the 2014 Commonwealth Games, its projects include soundscape Merchant City Voices, The Empire Café cultural event, podcast Who Owns the Clyde? with Halina Rifai and Clyde Reflections with photographer Chris Leslie. Through its work, The Empire Cafe encourages conversations about history, land ownership, and the ongoing effects of Empire through cross-cultural
events, writing, visual arts, public discussions, sound-based works and more.
Both events are free, everyone is welcome, and refreshments will be provided. Capacity for the event with Jude Barber and Louise Welsh is limited - please reserve your place via Ticket Tailor.
Images: above, Jude Barber & Louise Welsh (photography, Chris Leslie); below, 'Harvest' video still, Demelza Kingston, 2023.
Project Studio – Youth Voice
Wednesdays 4-6pm,
From 27 August - 1 October 2025
Project Studio is back in session for the autumn term. Project Studio is free and takes place weekly for five weeks, beginning on Wednesday 27 August at Burgh Yard in Helensburgh.
Project Studio is for teenagers aged 11-16 in the catchment area of Hermitage Academy, Helensburgh. Launched in June 2023, Project Studio offers free creative activity including workshops, trips, and events centred around self-expression and creating community for teenagers interested in the arts, activism, environmentalism, and wellbeing.
Project Studio – Youth Voice is led by artist, writer, and former resident Heather Marshall and includes a chance to explore and pursue your creative passions. This term we'll design our alter-egos, make political artworks and create a large-scale collaborative artwork. The exact format will be led by the young people involved.
Register via our JotForm. For more information, please contact Emma Henderson (Curator of Engagement).
This programme is supportive to young people with ADHD, dyslexia, and autism and is supported by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Image: Project Studio – Youth Voice, May 2025.
Saturday Studio Workshop
Lace Making with Cat Auburn
31 August 2025
Join us for our next Saturday Studio with Cat Auburn, an Aotearoa New Zealand artist now based in Argyll, whose creative practice spans sculpture, heritage crafts, textiles, and film. In this engaging bobbin lace making workshop, designed for children and their parents, participants will discover the art of winding and managing bobbins, setting up traditional lace pillows, following pricking patterns, and weaving simple motifs. These hands-on skills nurture fine motor coordination, patience, and a deep appreciation for a centuries-old craft.
Guided by Cat’s warm and expert instruction, each participant will complete a small lace piece to take home — connecting with the rich heritage of handmade lace while building confidence and creativity.
This two-hour session is suitable for children aged 6 and up, and runs twice during the day. Children over 8 years old may attend without an accompanying adult. If you have questions about workshop accessibility, please get in touch with Emma Henderson (Curator of Engagement). Book via our Ticket Tailor page.
Image courtesy of Cat Auburn.
Friends of Cove Park
Cove Park is proud to have a growing community of supporters who believe in the vital work we do to promote national and international cultural exchange and ensure our local rural community has access to innovative and creative learning opportunities as well as protecting the biodiversity of our site.
By becoming a Friend of Cove Park, you will help us to enrich arts, culture and creativity in Argyll and across Scotland, support the global exchange of ideas through our artist residences and save the natural heritage of Cove Park as a space for everyone to enjoy. Wherever you are, you will know your donation is making a vital contribution to the work of Cove Park and our support of artists. If Cove Park and our work means something to you, please consider becoming a Friend today. Learn more and join here.
If you are based in the United States, you can join our American Friends of Cove Park, our tax-effective annual giving programme.
Image: The launch of the Scotland/Japan residency exchange programme at Cove Park, October 2018.
Open Fridays 2025
Continuing until Friday 19 September, our beautiful 50-acre site will be open to visitors every Friday afternoon, between 1.00pm and 4.00pm.
We welcome visitors from our local community and beyond for tours of the site, to meet the team, and learn more about Cove Park’s programme of residencies and events.
Open Fridays are free and everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be available.
Please email Rona Grierson or call 01436 850500 to let us know if you would like to visit and if you have any questions about travelling to Cove Park or site accessibility.
Image: Visitors on site at Cove Park (photography, Alex Marrs)
Space Hire 2025
Space Hire welcomes arts organisations, companies, and community groups to Cove Park for meetings and away days. Recent Space Hire participants include: The Common Guild, Comhairle nan Leabhraichean / The Gaelic Books Council, Glasgow International, Missing in Architecture (Glasgow School of Art), The Mount Stuart Trust, Rhubaba, Scottish Opera, and the University of Glasgow (Contemporary Art & Curation).
Our new Space Hire pack contains more information with images of our beautiful facilities.
Please submit an enquiry form or contact Nicola Jamieson directly for more information and to discuss your specific requirements.
‘Mount Stuart Trust had a brilliant Away Day at Cove Park. We had a dedicated meeting room, fabulous views, and everything we needed: screen, refreshments, and lunch. I can honestly say that it was one of our most productive strategy meetings. So important to get away, and I can’t think of a better space.’
Sophie Crichton Stuart, Chair, The Mount Stuart Trust
Image: Jacobs Building wood burning stove (photography, Studio Gently)
