From Studios to the Streets

Several Perthshire Artisans have their creative studios at the Wasps' Perth Creative Exchange, and they along with fellow tenant artists are currently showcasing their work in the outdoor exhibition area at St Paul's Plaza at the top end of the High Street. Their exhibition is set to do more than showcase art, it also aims to tell the story of their creative community at the heart of Perth’s cultural future.  

Presented by Perth & Kinross Council, the exhibition features over 20 artists from Wasps' Perth Creative Exchange, a former school transformed into one of the city’s most important creative hubs. By bringing their work out of the studios and into the public realm, the exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the talent, collaboration, and quiet daily graft that defines this unique artistic community. 

Behind each artwork is a personal story rooted at Perth Creative Exchange. Perthshire Artisans who are part of the exhibition include Karl Macrae who has built a following for his vibrant, handmade textile pieces, Caitlin Hanna a visual artist, Morven Stewart a landscape painter and adventurer and contemporary ceramicist Ceri White. For Ceri, Wasps Studios provides not only the physical infrastructure required for her practice but also an informal network of knowledge-sharing, where techniques, materials, and ideas are exchanged.

From top left: Karl Macrae, Caitlin Hanna, Morven Stewart, Ceri White

Ceri says “We are so lucky to have bookable ceramic and glass kilns and a darkroom for the Perth's creative community to use within our building. With my extra hat as the in-house ceramic technician, it's been a pleasure to guide those who want to move their practice forward or provide their own pottery classes in our teaching room. Such equipment is an expensive investment individually, so what a wonderful thing to provide as part of another creative's journey.”  

Perth Creative Exchange continues to grow as a focal point for artists, designers and cultural producers, fostering enterprise, collaboration and creativity in Perthshire. The importance of Wasps’ Perth Creative Exchange to the city cannot be overstated. It provides secure, affordable, long-term studio and creative office space, something increasingly rare, and fosters a sense of community that directly feeds Perth’s cultural identity and economy. Many of the artists involved teach, exhibit, and collaborate locally, extending their impact far beyond the studio walls. For emerging and established artists alike, Perth Creative Exchange acts as both studio and support system. 

Visit the exhibition at St Paul’s Plaza from 20 June until 14 August. The St Paul’s Plaza exhibition is free and open to all, inviting the public to discover the stories, skills, and shared spirit that make Perth’s creative community so distinctive. 

The full list of featured artists include Aileen Sherry (designer of Ayton Clothing), Alan Paterson (ceramicist), Alison Price (visual artist), Caitlin Hanna (visual artist), Hooper Hart (visual artist), Ceri White (ceramicist), Fiona Bayliss (Crimson and Blue Studio), Fee Smith (visual artist), Helen O’Brien (lead of Creative Catalyst), Karl Macrae (embroidery artist), Kerri Watson (textile artist), Liz Myhill (landscape and wildlife artist), Luisa Ramazzotti (visual artist), Mark McConnell (painter), Marion Archibald (photographer and bookbinder), Morven Stewart (landscape painter), Nicola Daubney (visual artist), Phin Manasseh (visual artist), Sarah Halliday (painter and digital artist), Sheila Borthwick (visual artist and printmaker), Shona Harcus (painter), Su Grierson (visual artist), and Susan Hutchison (visual artist).