Artists in Residence named for Bioregion art project

North Ayrshire Council is providing an exciting placed-based arts residency opportunity on the Isle of Arran through Creative Scotland’s Culture Collective programme, funded by the Scottish Government.

With off-grid accommodation being provided at Drumadoon Estate in the form of a fully mobile converted 1956 Bedford Vintage truck, we are excited to share that the two collaborating Artists in Residence have been officially announced this week as Scottish Borders-based dance artist Claire Pençak and Glasgow-based dance artist Saffy Setohy.

Being delivered over the next eight months, the Clyde Bioregion Residency Programme is being delivered by a collective of artists, creative practitioners, landowners and gallerists who are being supported by North Ayrshire Council, Creative Scotland and Archaeology Scotland.

Following the original applications round in June 2025, the Artists in Residence had the chance to meet islanders earlier this month at a Creative Conversation event at Shiskine Hall. Here, Claire and Saffy had the chance to talk about their practice, meet islanders and got to engage in some of the ideas behind the programme.

Well attended with over 50 guests, they invited participants to think about what the island is asking of us now through the lens of plants, animals, stone, air and water. The event was also an opportunity to hear about investigations and discoveries from the Drumadoon Project - a ground-breaking exploration of Arran’s rich prehistoric past.

Artefacts from a recent archaeological dig attended by the artists were also available to see, much to the delight of a cohort of students from The University of Glasgow’s Archaeology Department whom attended following their recent course work field trip.

A team of specialists from University of Glasgow, Birkbeck College, University of London, Bournemouth University, Coventry University, University of Birmingham and Archaeology Scotland were also in attendance alongside the project team and Claire and Saffy.

Dr Gavin Macgregor, Chief Executive of Archaeology Scotland said: “Starting the artists residency at the Drumadoon dig this summer was an incredible showcase of how archaeology can bring people together through shared hands-on experiences and creative practice.

He shares: “At Archaeology Scotland we are passionate about connecting communities through their archaeology and Drumadoon was the perfect place for this collaboration to thrive. From students to volunteers, local enthusiasts and artists, this project is an example of how archaeology can empower, connect and enrich the lives of many.”

For the duration of the residency, the projects will explore themes of rewilding and archaeology through contemporary arts practices, and will see direct partnership working with communities. See footage of the creatives involved and the archaeological dig in the introduction video on YouTube.

The first Artist in Residence, Claire Pençak is a dance artist based in the Scottish Borders. She trained in contemporary dance at the Laban Centre, London and continued her training in France. Claire said: “I came to Scotland in 1991 to take up the post of Dance Artist in Residence for City Moves, Aberdeen and since 1993 I’ve been working as an independent dance artist in Scotland, Australia and Portugal.

“Collaboration has always been at the heart of my work and in the last 20 years this has taken a cross-disciplinary, place-specific and ecological turn working alongside social scientists, beekeepers, archaeologists and ecologists. This is why being named one of the Artists in Residence is such a privilege for me, I’m excited to get started and learn more about the Isle of Arran and its rich cultural and natural heritage.”

​Saffy Setohy is the second Artist in Residence, and she is also a dance artist. Based in Glasgow, Saffy has 18 years of practising across performance, choreography, facilitation and movement direction.

Saffy said: “I am delighted to have been chosen to be one of two Artists in Residence for the Bioregion project. Working with movement and dance, walking, citizen science, ecology, drawing, writing, sculpture, sound and conversation, I am a multi-disciplinary artist coming from a dance background.

“My practice is deeply-rooted in sensory approaches, exploring connections between ecology, regeneration and soft activism to deepen the connection with ourselves, each other and the rest of nature. As a child, there was a time when I wanted to be an archaeologist, so I’m excited to be bringing archaeology and arts practices together through this collaborative project on Arran.”

Saffy and Claire have been developing their work together as a collaborative duo since 2016. The project team are hopeful to hear stories throughout the creative process and explore how we understand our pasts, live in the present and imagine brighter more sustainable futures. The Artists in Residence will return to Arran and work out of Drumadoon for the rest of the year and into 2026. They intend to work with a range of islanders in that time.

By taking up residence via the converted truck, the artists will be able to experience the raw nature and solitude provided by Drumadoon Estate, situated on the southwestern coast of the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde. Self-contained, the home from home on wheels can be moved around the landscape, accessing the most remote and spectacular areas of the estate.

Karen Dick, Creative Scotland’s Head of Place, Partnerships and Communities added: “Projects like North Ayrshire’s Culture Collective programme demonstrate the transformative potential of cultural work rooted in place, and this residency represents a valuable opportunity to deepen community engagement through culture, heritage, and the arts.

“We are pleased to support initiatives that place creativity at the heart of local identity and collective expression, and anticipate that Claire and Saffy’s contributions will make a meaningful impact within the Arran community.”

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

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.

Find out more about the project via the Clyde Bioregion Residency Programme website. News of the Cumbrae residency of the programme to follow.

Published: 29 August 2025