Hello, I'm Alison Durbin (née Rottier). I graduated with a first class degree in Fine Art from Reading University in 1991, after which I worked with an arts collective in Reading, helping to establish and run the Rising Sun Arts Centre. I was part of a small team of artists who renovated, set up and managed "Gallery 28" adjoining the centre .
I worked as an independent community artist, running creative workshops and community projects in Berkshire (1991-94), Aberdeenshire (1995-98), Sussex (2007-10) and the Highlands (2010-present).
I have travelled and worked with my ecologist partner, Leon, in South Africa and India, and we continue to work closely together on Wildwood Bushcraft, which he set up in 2005. I qualified as a Forest School Leader in 2010 and love the combination of creative group-work with nature and the outdoors. I have also experience of working in graphic design and publishing, raising two daughters, project-managing the build of our home in the Highlands, keeping bees, chickens and ducks, hosting on Airbnb, and teaching piano!
Here's a summary of my background:
BA Hons Fine Art - Reading University.
Community Arts Training "Towards Better Artswork" - Reading Borough Council.
Forest School Practitioner (Level 3) - Agored Cymru, Cambium Sustainable Landscapes & Training.
Level 2 Certificate in Outdoor First Aid - BASP.
Enhanced Disclosure Scotland/CRB England Certificates.
Extensive experience leading community arts workshops - predominantly environmental themes.
Based in Lochaber, Scotland.
Member of the Scottish Artists' Union.
Member of the Society of Scottish Artists
Exhibitions/Commissions/Workshops/Larger Projects:
Arisaig Eco Project 2018-2020 community willow art workshops
High Life Highland Adult Learning Lochaber 2019-2020 creative willow workshops
Highland Council Summer Activities 2016-2019 creative outdoor learning sessions
Large scale Living Willow Installation at Muirfield School, Aberdeen, December 2013, November 2014, March 2018
Glenuig Lantern Festival 2015 & 2017 lead artist and project co-ordinator
Sea to Summit Map 2015 co-led visual arts project with local schools in collaboration with ceramicist Helen Michie, & Highland Council Rangers
Glenuig Seashore Festival 2014, 2015 & 2016, co-ordinator and arts worker
Spring exhibition, Resipole Studios, Acharacle, Argyll, 12 April - 4 June 2014
Natural Selection, exhibition celebrating the Year of Natural Scotland (my print used for poster) – Moray Art Centre, Findhorn 20 April – 18 May 2013
Childhood Explored' an exhibition for Camille's Appeal, the EightbyEight project, Eden Court, Inverness, 1–30 April 2013
Exhibition for Lindfield Arts Festival, Lindfield, Sussex May 2010
Living Willow Installations at Lindfield Primary School and Blackthorns Primary School, Sussex 2010
Ran "Happy Little Hands" creative music and signing group for parents and young children, Lindfield, Sussex 2007-2009
Stonehaven Harbourside Mosaic - solo commission for Aberdeenshire Council April 1998
3D models and interpretive display for visitors' centre at Mill of Benholm, Kincardineshire, August 1997
Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race, Aberdeen 1997 - lead artist for community project creating stencilled banners and willow ships for opening parade.
Kincardine & Deeside Arts Forum Group Show, Banchory 1997
Monymusk Arts Centre, summer exhibitions 1996 & 1997, Aberdeenshire
Aberdeen Alternative Festival, Rhythms of the River community arts project co-ordinator, produced educational CD-ROM resource for local schools and created a multi-media installation in the Trinity Shopping Centre, October 1996
Aberdeen Alternative Festival, led environmental arts workshops at Crathes Castle, October 1995
Kaleidoscope Festival, Haddo House, delivered art workshops for schools 1995 and 1996
Kincardine & Deeside Council, Arts Development Team, led regular art workshops for children in Aberdeenshire 1995-1997
Banchory Community Education Centre, provided regular art workshops for children 1995-1997
Group show at Gallery 28, Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading, for Art In Reading June 1994
Co-created large puppets/models/lanterns for From the Ruins performance art event, part of Art In Reading June 1994
Ravenswood-Norwood Residential Care Home, Bracknell - provided weekly art sessions for adults with learning disabilities 1992-1993
Degree show, Reading University Fine Art Department, Whiteknights, Reading June 1991
Solo show, Leighton Park School, Reading 1990
I worked as an independent community artist, running creative workshops and community projects in Berkshire (1991-94), Aberdeenshire (1995-98), Sussex (2007-10) and the Highlands (2010-present).
I have travelled and worked with my ecologist partner, Leon, in South Africa and India, and we continue to work closely together on Wildwood Bushcraft, which he set up in 2005. I qualified as a Forest School Leader in 2010 and love the combination of creative group-work with nature and the outdoors. I have also experience of working in graphic design and publishing, raising two daughters, project-managing the build of our home in the Highlands, keeping bees, chickens and ducks, hosting on Airbnb, and teaching piano!
Here's a summary of my background:
BA Hons Fine Art - Reading University.
Community Arts Training "Towards Better Artswork" - Reading Borough Council.
Forest School Practitioner (Level 3) - Agored Cymru, Cambium Sustainable Landscapes & Training.
Level 2 Certificate in Outdoor First Aid - BASP.
Enhanced Disclosure Scotland/CRB England Certificates.
Extensive experience leading community arts workshops - predominantly environmental themes.
Based in Lochaber, Scotland.
Member of the Scottish Artists' Union.
Member of the Society of Scottish Artists
Exhibitions/Commissions/Workshops/Larger Projects:
Arisaig Eco Project 2018-2020 community willow art workshops
High Life Highland Adult Learning Lochaber 2019-2020 creative willow workshops
Highland Council Summer Activities 2016-2019 creative outdoor learning sessions
Large scale Living Willow Installation at Muirfield School, Aberdeen, December 2013, November 2014, March 2018
Glenuig Lantern Festival 2015 & 2017 lead artist and project co-ordinator
Sea to Summit Map 2015 co-led visual arts project with local schools in collaboration with ceramicist Helen Michie, & Highland Council Rangers
Glenuig Seashore Festival 2014, 2015 & 2016, co-ordinator and arts worker
Spring exhibition, Resipole Studios, Acharacle, Argyll, 12 April - 4 June 2014
Natural Selection, exhibition celebrating the Year of Natural Scotland (my print used for poster) – Moray Art Centre, Findhorn 20 April – 18 May 2013
Childhood Explored' an exhibition for Camille's Appeal, the EightbyEight project, Eden Court, Inverness, 1–30 April 2013
Exhibition for Lindfield Arts Festival, Lindfield, Sussex May 2010
Living Willow Installations at Lindfield Primary School and Blackthorns Primary School, Sussex 2010
Ran "Happy Little Hands" creative music and signing group for parents and young children, Lindfield, Sussex 2007-2009
Stonehaven Harbourside Mosaic - solo commission for Aberdeenshire Council April 1998
3D models and interpretive display for visitors' centre at Mill of Benholm, Kincardineshire, August 1997
Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race, Aberdeen 1997 - lead artist for community project creating stencilled banners and willow ships for opening parade.
Kincardine & Deeside Arts Forum Group Show, Banchory 1997
Monymusk Arts Centre, summer exhibitions 1996 & 1997, Aberdeenshire
Aberdeen Alternative Festival, Rhythms of the River community arts project co-ordinator, produced educational CD-ROM resource for local schools and created a multi-media installation in the Trinity Shopping Centre, October 1996
Aberdeen Alternative Festival, led environmental arts workshops at Crathes Castle, October 1995
Kaleidoscope Festival, Haddo House, delivered art workshops for schools 1995 and 1996
Kincardine & Deeside Council, Arts Development Team, led regular art workshops for children in Aberdeenshire 1995-1997
Banchory Community Education Centre, provided regular art workshops for children 1995-1997
Group show at Gallery 28, Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading, for Art In Reading June 1994
Co-created large puppets/models/lanterns for From the Ruins performance art event, part of Art In Reading June 1994
Ravenswood-Norwood Residential Care Home, Bracknell - provided weekly art sessions for adults with learning disabilities 1992-1993
Degree show, Reading University Fine Art Department, Whiteknights, Reading June 1991
Solo show, Leighton Park School, Reading 1990