As a result of her 2020 residency, writer Shirley Nicholson published Tilted Days, a gathering of Fair Isle poems.
“I’ve learnt”, Shirley Nicholson writes, “to listen to island talk” and this book proves the truth of that, with its close observation of the birds, animals and people of Fair Isle, and the note it strikes, again and again, of wonder at her good fortune in finding herself on this northern island. But Nicholson’s poems are more than tributes to what that place’s winds blow in her direction. Nicholson is also both an observer and practitioner of what she calls “island skills” and these poems nip at their lines, cast off images, and steadily stitch together memorable patterns which are possessed by a singing weather of their own.
- John McAuliffe
“My time in the studio was invaluable, I couldn’t recommend it more. It allowed such fantastic access to a place I had been working on getting to for so long. Having a space of my own allowed me to get to know the community around me as neighbours , rather than hosts, and the freedom to also retreat and be solitary with my work, I could choose my pace and to experience the peace ,and staggering beauty of the island, as well as meet the wonderful people in it. The studio space is so well designed with views out to the sea and natural light, it was a perfect base, a space to write, draw and reflect on the project and my experience when not out shooting. The home was equally comfortable and nourishing, getting to light a fire, cook and develop daily rituals while being there.”
Photographer Giulia Savorell made a series of photographs ‘documenting daily life in isolated and self sufficient communities’ .
“When an opportunity arose to spend time on Fair Isle in a creative residency, I jumped at the chance. To enjoy peace and reflection in the place where my favorite knitting technique hails from was a gift.”
Mary Jane Mucklestone, a knitwear designer from Maine, USA worked on her book ‘Fair Isle Weekend’ when on residency.
Joan Lennon, writer, leading a writing workshop with pupils of Fair Isle Primary.
Artist Angela Harding worked on a book and a new series of prints during an Artist Residency at Fair Isle Studio. Available in September 2024, you can pre-order Still Waters and Wile Waves here.
You can also read an interview with Angela about her time on residency with us in Shetland Wool Adventures Journal, Volume 4. “Spotting the Fair Isle Studio, where creatives are invited to self-funded or supported residencies, Angela applied and was granted a month’s stay in May. “It’s very generous in how it’s set up,” she says. Clare Scott and her daughter Vivian Ross-Smith own the cottage and invite artists– photographers, writers, painters, knitters, designers – to stay here to focus on a particular project or feature of their work. “I felt a great sense of freedom to be able to do what I wanted,” Angela says of her residency.”
"I had such an inspiring time and it really felt like the Island got under my skin. Lots to process and reflect, I’ll need to go back! I really felt like I had everything I could have possibly needed on the residency, the cottage itself was perfect, bright, warm, homely and had all the facilities I needed."
Ellis O’Connor, spent time on residency making drawing and paintings, both inside the studio and around the island.