Meet the Cultural Tides Artists!

Carla Angus is a visual artist with a research-led practice that explores stories rooted in objects, places, and people - reframing heritage through a contemporary lens.

Originally a theatre designer, costume maker, and subsequently director of an arts retreat on the Scottish coast, she has worked extensively in educational and community settings as an artist-facilitator of creative workshops and learning experiences. Predominantly a maker of objects and installations, the links and stories she explores dictate the medium and materials she uses, and new pieces of work often necessitate learning new skills or collaboration with other creatives. Carla is running mapping and making workshops at Kellands Primary School as part of the Cultural Tides Project, helping children to explore their identity through heritage and place.

Pauline Cordinor is a storyteller from the fishing and farming traditions of Northeast Scotland and enjoys telling a variety of traditional Scottish tales, fairy tales, folk tales, creation myths, and the occasional home-grown tale of her own.

Since 2001 Pauline has been involved in many storytelling events and projects, developing her enthusiasm for science, history, and the environment. She also brings traditional Scots songs, Bothy ballads, and Doric language into her performances and workshops, helping audiences explore traditional Northeast dialect through the rhymes and riddles, songs, and stories of Northeast people and places. Pauline has been running Doric sessions for us at Meethill Primary School, helping children to explore their heritage through language, storytelling and song.

Maria Muruaga is a contemporary practitioner of alternative photographic processes and ceramic arts.

In her photographic practice, Maria is fascinated by the 'alchemy' of organic materials, using them to bring back memories and invite us to slow down. By unearthing the chemistry of light and the beauty of botanical silhouettes, her work encourages a release of creativity through tactile discovery. Maria is bringing the 'sun-printing' magic of Cyanotype to pupils at Peterhead Academy, transforming simple shadows into striking blue-hued art that celebrates the delicate strength of the natural world and encourages an exploration of personal expression and identity.

Donna Murray is an Aberdeen based photographer. She studied photography at NESCOL and then Napier University in Edinburgh before beginning her career as a Press Photographer with Aberdeen Journals in 2006. After several years in the fast-paced world of news, she moved abroad to work as a photographer, returning home to establish her own business in 2010.

Since then, Donna has built a successful freelance career, covering everything from weddings and fashion to commercial commissions. In recent years, she has increasingly used photography as a way to support and connect communities. Donna has volunteered with a maternal health charity, documenting hospital conditions in Malawi and India; led mindful photography walks for local charities; and worked with residents in sheltered housing. For the Cultural Tides project, she is working with a language café, helping participants explore heritage and connection through photography and food.

We are so happy to be rolling out community-based creative workshops as part of the development phase of the Cultural Tides Museum of Aberdeenshire Project, and delighted to be able to announce our first 5 commissioned creative practitioners.