Artist in Residence named for Bioregion project

North Ayrshire Council is welcoming the next instalment of an exciting place-based arts residency opportunity on the Isle of Cumbrae, supported by the Scottish Government’s Culture Collective programme through Creative Scotland.

Delivered in collaboration with Hunter Saville Cumbrae Gallery and Studio, our Arts and Culture team is excited to announce Catriona Hawksworth as North Ayrshire’s second Clyde Bioregion Artist in Residence for the Isle of Cumbrae.

Primarily a musician playing piano and accordion, Catriona also likes to paint, draw and tell stories.

Growing up in Irvine, she is a former Irvine Royal Academy pupil, however now Catriona lives in Perthshire where she is highly regarded as a talented musician and participatory artist. Catriona has led a number of projects working with young people and adults with additional support needs to provide access to creativity in music. Her work is rooted in community, place and nature.

Looking forward to returning to Ayrshire, Catriona shares: “I am delighted to be the next Artist in Residence for the Clyde Bioregion Project on Cumbrae. My work is rooted in Scottish traditions – in the stories, songs and music traditions of communities. It is also inspired by ways of life, land use and nature and I’m looking forward to seeking out new island inspirations.

“I’m really excited to meet with the local people and explore the traditions of Cumbrae – whether those are ancient or just beginning. I hope that my residency will include collating recordings of local stories, music and sounds of the natural environment. I’ll be hosting workshops with the primary school writing songs inspired by the local area and I look forward to writing music inspired by the area, alongside local community groups.

“I’m excited to facilitate spaces for people to come together and share their stories of Cumbrae and find ways to explore those stories creatively.”

The announcement follows on from the first Clyde Bioregion Artist in Residence, Greer Pester on the Isle of Cumbrae, a visual and social artist who visited the island at the end of 2025 to explore the rich tapestry of landscape and community on the Isle, focusing on the themes of human nature and connection.

Over on Arran, contemporary artists Claire Pençak and Saffy Setohy have also been enlisted as the island’s current Artists In Residence and will be exploring the rich bioregion of Arran through ecology, archaeology and creative dance practice.

The council’s Arts and Culture team will work closely with Catriona alongside the Island Arts Coordinator, Eòghann MacColl, to deliver the project.

Partners on the programme include Archaeology Scotland, Drumadoon Estate, North Ayrshire Place Partnership comprising of North Ayrshire Council and Creative Scotland. The team will also work with Hunter Saville Studio and Gallery in Millport on Cumbrae and other island-based creatives.

Creative Scotland is the public body that supports culture and creativity across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow Creative Scotland on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Community members and creatives looking to get involved can email: naplacepartnership@north-ayrshire.gov.uk to register their interest for engagement opportunities over the next year.

Find out more about the project via the Clyde Bioregion Residency Programme website.

Published: 05 March 2026