The Wild Goose Festival will be back in 2024!
The 2023 Wild Goose Festival concluded on the 29th of October, but don’t worry! Events celebrating the migration of our feathery friends will return in Autumn 2024. For updates on all things Wild Goose, make sure you are following our social media channels.
- This event has passed.
Artful Migration Conference
October 20, 2023 @ 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
The Artful Migration conference will share learning from three artist residencies located in Dumfries & Galloway, developed by Upland and Moving Souls Dance. Bringing artists and conservationists together, keynote speakers Sacha Dench and Chris Fremantle will explore artistic practice linked to migratory pathways of birds challenged by climate change.
The Artful Migration programme created three artist residencies that focused on migratory birds hosted by local partners. A pilot residency took place in 2017-18 partnered with WWT Caerlaverock focusing on the Whooper Swans, undertaken by Angela Alexander Lloyd. A secondary residency, undertaken by John Wallace, ran from 2020 –2021 with NTS Threave Garden & Estate focusing on the osprey. Over 2023 artists Leeming & Paterson are exploring the elusive nightjar, with partners Forest Land Scotland & RSPB. All three residencies have been funded by Creative Scotland.
The conference aims to bring conservationists, land managers, artists and communities together. Presentations and discussions will reveal new approaches that integrate the insights of artistic practice with ecological science and land management experience.
A final report will gather responses from all participants to inform future collaborative inquiry and new connections.
Keynote speakers and presenters:
- Sacha Dench – Ambassador, UN’s Convention on Migratory Species and CEO and founder of Conservation Without Borders
- Chris Fremantle – Research Fellow and Lecturer at Gray’s School of Art
- Leeming & Paterson – Current Artful Migration artists-in-residence
- John Wallace – Environmental video artist and filmmaker, Artful Migration artist in residence 2020-21
There is also an accompanying exhibition at Gracefield Art Centre which will showcase the work of the current and previous artists-in-residence.
Tickets available to purchase from 6th September
Accessibility Details: Wheelchair accessible (see website for details)
Age Restriction: Open to all but children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult