Perthshire Artisans annual open call out for new creatives to apply to join is open throughout February.

As part of a curated quality platform, successful applicants will find themselves having access to 'behind the scenes' support within weeks of joining, have their work and profiles shared publicly via the website, socials and newsletters within a couple of months and be able to join in future showcase opportunities, which for 2025 already includes a second Winter Exhibition at Birnam Arts.

Find out a little more about our core ethos of community, local, original and sustainable creativity below, and if these words find an echo with you, send us an application or visit our website:

Community

noun  /kəˈmjuːnəti/ a group having shared interests in common

Perthshire Artisans is a vibrant community where everyone collaborates, shares, and supports each other.

Being part of a collective when, as a creative, so much of your working time is spent alone, opens doors and introductions to a supportive community and is one of the top benefits members enjoy.

An online forum facilitates the exchanging of ideas and experiences and allows the creatives to pose questions and challenges as well as opportunities. The Artisans also meet regularly, in person or online, in order to discuss topics specific to their creative business practices and learn from each other. They also frequently collaborate together on events and exhibitions.

Whether sharing good news, facing a challenge or simply sharing knowing they’re in good company, the Artisans are both supported and support each other.

Local

adjective /ˈləʊkl/ relating to a particular area 

By shopping with Perthshire Artisans, you can be sure you’re buying from a local creative and supporting a small business.

Perthshire Artisans is all about supporting and showcasing the ‘local’ creative talent, and valuing their contribution to our area’s culture and creative landscape.

As a collective and as individual Artisans, we also enjoy working with Perth & Kinross based organisations, venues, stockists, media outlets and galleries. Local connections and collaborations contribute to a thriving creative sector in our region. We appreciate every like, follow and purchase—the more you support us, the more we can support them!

Original

adjective /əˈrɪdʒɪn(ə)l/  created personally, not a copy, inventive

Many pieces are completely unique due to being hand crafted by our Artisans, and all of them are, or are based on, their original works.

The Perthshire Artisans paint, draw, sculpt, knit, sew, set, turn, throw, weave, fire, mould, mosaic, develop, etch and more—whatever it is, you know that each piece has involved a painstaking creative process.

So whether you’re buying an original oil painting, a pair of earrings, a ceramic vase, a leather bag, or a limited edition print, you can be sure you’re getting something truly special and unusual.

Sustainable

adjective /səˈsteɪnəb(ə)l/ avoids depletion of resources

As well as the environmental benefits of buying from a small and local business, all the Perthshire Artisans use resources carefully and conscientiously.

Some of our Perthshire Artisans, such as fabric up-cycler Cornelia Weinmann, set their business up specifically to address a sustainability problem, others have evolved their practices to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

For example, Kerry Blakey salvages the materials she uses for her house sculptures, Rachel Hendry uses soy wax and recyclable packaging for her candles, Katy Galbraith crafts her mosaics from broken glass and crockery, and Pam Guthrie-Dawber finds a use for every last scrap of the fabric she uses to make her accessories.

If you are a creative living and/or with a working space in Perth & Kinross check out what Being a Perthshire Artisan is all about and if you want to be part of this fabulous group of creatives, apply to join here.

If, before submitting an application (which is an easy online google form including some images of your work) you want to arrange a call to chat through any element of being an Artisan drop us a line on admin@perthshire-artisans.scot and we'll be in touch.

Lastly, we're delighted that Perth UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art are supporting our 2025 call out by offering a 1 year bursary membership to two emerging craft creatives, one for creatives under 30 years and one for creatives in the first 3 years of their practice.

Applications deadline is Friday 28 February 2025.

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