Four artists have been named as successful applicants in the winter round of the Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards (Vacma) for 2025/26.
Vacma is a programme of small grant schemes delivered in partnership with local authorities and art organisations across Scotland, offering fixed bursaries of £500 and £1,000.
The aim is to support visual artists and craft makers in their creative and professional development.
The successful applicants from the winter round are:
• Liúsaidh Ashley Watt
• Gill Owen
• Yolanda Bruce and Diane Garrick
Liúsaidh Ashley Watt
Of Stone, Sea, and Story: An Exploration of Shetland Folk Tales and Personal Narratives
Working across photography, moving image, sound and writing, Watt’s practice explores identity, folklore and connection to the Shetland landscape. She creates immersive, story-led works that combine personal narrative with myth and place.
Watt will develop a series of photographic and written works inspired by Shetland folklore, including trows and selkies, culminating in a collection of artist publications. Supported by archival research and local collaboration, the project will also explore exhibition possibilities.
Gill Owen
Working with hand-thrown pottery, Owen’s practice centres on sustainability, using foraged and recycled materials including wild clay and wood ash glazes. Her work reflects a strong connection to landscape, process, and traditional craft.
Owen will research and process locally-sourced Shetland clay and develop glazes from basket-making waste, building a sustainable material library.
Yolanda Bruce and Diane Garrick
Bruce and Garrick are printmakers whose work is inspired by Shetland’s natural environment, using processes including lino, collagraph, mono printing, and textiles.
They will collaborate to experiment with new and environmentally-friendly printmaking techniques, while travelling to remote areas of Shetland to gather inspiration. The project will include community workshops and the development of new work for exhibition.
Applications for Vacma 2026/27 will be open again later this year – further details will be announced closer to the time of launch.
