Hello, I'm Alison Durbin (formerly Rottier). I graduated with a first class degree in Art from Reading School of Art (University of Reading) in 1991, after which I worked with an arts collective, helping to establish and run the Rising Sun Arts Centre in Reading. 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 art 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 we 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:
MA Art and Social Practice - University of the Highlands and Islands, 2020-2022
BA Hons Fine Art - University of Reading, 1987-1991
Community Arts Practitioner Training "Towards Better Artswork" - Reading Borough Council, 1993
Forest School Practitioner (Level 3) - Agored Cymru, Cambium Sustainable Landscapes & Training, 2010
Certificate in Outdoor First Aid, up-to-date since 2010
Enhanced Disclosure Scotland/CRB England Certificates
Extensive experience leading community arts projects - predominantly environmental themes.
Based in Lochaber, Scotland
Member of the Scottish Artists' Union
Member of the Society of Scottish Artists
Member of Visual Arts Scotland
Socially Engaged Arts Projects (highlights):
Light Up the Dark, 2021, a community project by Ewen's Room (Mental Health & Wellbeing Charity) - creative zoom art workshops.
Arisaig Eco Project 2018-2020, local sustainability initiative - community willow art workshops.
High Life Highland Adult Learning Lochaber 2019-2020, community education centre - creative willow workshops.
Highland Council Summer Activities 2016-2019, summer play schemes - creative outdoor learning sessions.
Sustainable Spean Bridge Project 2017-2018, local sustainability initiative - creative "carbon conversations".
Muirfield School, Aberdeen 2013, 2014, 2018, primary school commission - lead artist for large-scale living willow installation.
Glenuig Lantern Festival 2015 & 2017, community arts festival - lead artist and project co-ordinator.
Sea to Summit Map 2015, participatory arts & environment project - co-lead artist with ceramicist Helen Michie & Highland Council Rangers.
Glenuig Seashore Festival, 2014, 2015 & 2016, community arts and environment festival - co-ordinator and arts worker.
Lindfield Primary School and Blackthorns Primary School, Sussex, 2010, living willow installations - project lead.
"Happy Little Hands" Lindfield, Sussex, 2007-2009, creative music and signing group with young children and their carers - project lead.
Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race, Aberdeen 1997, community parade - workshops creating stencilled banners and willow ships - lead artist.
Aberdeen Alternative Festival "Rhythms of the River", 1996, city-wide participatory arts project culminating in a multi-media installation and educational CD-ROM - project co-ordinator.
Aberdeen Alternative Festival, 1995 - environmental art workshops at Crathes Castle.
Kaleidoscope Festival, Haddo House, 1995 and 1996 - art workshops with school groups
Kincardine & Deeside Council, Arts Development Team, Aberdeenshire 1995-1997 - regular art workshops with children and families.
Banchory Community Education Centre, 1995-1997 - regular art workshops with children and families.
From the Ruins performance art event, part of Art In Reading, June 1994 - co-created large puppets/models/lanterns with community groups.
Ravenswood-Norwood Residential Care Home, Bracknell, 1992-1993 - weekly art sessions for adults with learning disabilities.
Exhibitions/Commissions:
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
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
Kincardine & Deeside Arts Forum Group Show, Banchory 1997
Monymusk Arts Centre, summer exhibitions 1996 & 1997, Aberdeenshire
Group show at Gallery 28, Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading, for Art In Reading June 1994
Degree show, Reading University Fine Art Department, Whiteknights, Reading June 1991
Solo show, Leighton Park School, Reading 1990
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 we 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:
MA Art and Social Practice - University of the Highlands and Islands, 2020-2022
BA Hons Fine Art - University of Reading, 1987-1991
Community Arts Practitioner Training "Towards Better Artswork" - Reading Borough Council, 1993
Forest School Practitioner (Level 3) - Agored Cymru, Cambium Sustainable Landscapes & Training, 2010
Certificate in Outdoor First Aid, up-to-date since 2010
Enhanced Disclosure Scotland/CRB England Certificates
Extensive experience leading community arts projects - predominantly environmental themes.
Based in Lochaber, Scotland
Member of the Scottish Artists' Union
Member of the Society of Scottish Artists
Member of Visual Arts Scotland
Socially Engaged Arts Projects (highlights):
Light Up the Dark, 2021, a community project by Ewen's Room (Mental Health & Wellbeing Charity) - creative zoom art workshops.
Arisaig Eco Project 2018-2020, local sustainability initiative - community willow art workshops.
High Life Highland Adult Learning Lochaber 2019-2020, community education centre - creative willow workshops.
Highland Council Summer Activities 2016-2019, summer play schemes - creative outdoor learning sessions.
Sustainable Spean Bridge Project 2017-2018, local sustainability initiative - creative "carbon conversations".
Muirfield School, Aberdeen 2013, 2014, 2018, primary school commission - lead artist for large-scale living willow installation.
Glenuig Lantern Festival 2015 & 2017, community arts festival - lead artist and project co-ordinator.
Sea to Summit Map 2015, participatory arts & environment project - co-lead artist with ceramicist Helen Michie & Highland Council Rangers.
Glenuig Seashore Festival, 2014, 2015 & 2016, community arts and environment festival - co-ordinator and arts worker.
Lindfield Primary School and Blackthorns Primary School, Sussex, 2010, living willow installations - project lead.
"Happy Little Hands" Lindfield, Sussex, 2007-2009, creative music and signing group with young children and their carers - project lead.
Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race, Aberdeen 1997, community parade - workshops creating stencilled banners and willow ships - lead artist.
Aberdeen Alternative Festival "Rhythms of the River", 1996, city-wide participatory arts project culminating in a multi-media installation and educational CD-ROM - project co-ordinator.
Aberdeen Alternative Festival, 1995 - environmental art workshops at Crathes Castle.
Kaleidoscope Festival, Haddo House, 1995 and 1996 - art workshops with school groups
Kincardine & Deeside Council, Arts Development Team, Aberdeenshire 1995-1997 - regular art workshops with children and families.
Banchory Community Education Centre, 1995-1997 - regular art workshops with children and families.
From the Ruins performance art event, part of Art In Reading, June 1994 - co-created large puppets/models/lanterns with community groups.
Ravenswood-Norwood Residential Care Home, Bracknell, 1992-1993 - weekly art sessions for adults with learning disabilities.
Exhibitions/Commissions:
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
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
Kincardine & Deeside Arts Forum Group Show, Banchory 1997
Monymusk Arts Centre, summer exhibitions 1996 & 1997, Aberdeenshire
Group show at Gallery 28, Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading, for Art In Reading June 1994
Degree show, Reading University Fine Art Department, Whiteknights, Reading June 1991
Solo show, Leighton Park School, Reading 1990