We are delighted to invite you all to the opening of a new photographic exhibition by local artist, Danielle Macleod, who showed her work as the first guest exhibitor at Island Darkroom back in 2021. For this exhibition, KNOWING GROUND, Danielle is showcasing work from two new projects, which most recently have been shown in Summerhall, Edinburgh. WHERE: Island Darkroom, Achmore, Isle of Lewis WHEN: Friday 19th April, 5-8PM   KNOWING GROUND draws upon local folklore to evoke new worlds and characters through sculpture and photography. Natural materials gathered from the landscape ..read more

Artist in Residence 2024 JANNETTE MACDONALD Reflections After a fine week at the Island Darkroom in Achmore it is time to reflect. My intention was to photograph the Lewis Land Monuments, but also to explore. Every day was different on Lewis, following my nose, getting lost and getting found, on beaches, moors, under big skies. I’m interested in the lines of a landscape, the borders, horizons and what they represent and migration past and present. The history and struggles of those who lived off the land on Lewis seems very relevant to the present day. Originally fascinated by the Duke of Suth ..read more

Artist in Residence 2024 Camille Leomoine Reflections   Before starting my Winter Residency at the Island Darkroom, I planned to experience and observe the ‘everydayness’ of the landscape there. Things like fluctuant weather and the changes of light throughout the day. Within my first week I spent the majority of my days out walking and getting to know the land – quickly realising that it could take a lifetime to truly absorb all the subtleties of this landscape. I had never visited the Outer Hebrides before, and there is definitely a distinct feel to this part of Scotland that I am drawn ..read more

Plant-Based Photography & Foraging Workshop with Jess Holdengarde 3rd - 5th May 2024      The Course We’re super excited that 2023 Artist in Residence Jess Holdengarde is returning to Island Darkroom to provide an exciting new spring/summer workshop, Frames of Spring: Plant-based photography and foraging workshop. This 3 day intensive workshop over the May bank holiday weekend will be taking place at Island Darkroom, in Achmore, Isle of Lewis. We will consider the role of sustainably focused practices in the Western Isles, and how we can utilise what is available to us. Thi ..read more

Reflections from Jess Holdengarde   My time at the Island Darkroom was an opportunity to gain some perspective as I enter a newly funded project titled, The Natural Process.  This year long project aims to deepen & consolidate my interest in sustainable plant-based processes for analogue practices in a climate emergency. My residency at the Island Darkroom was an exciting and much needed opportunity for me to gain some perspective on the project and ignite some inspiration through my natural processes and methodologies of developing plant-based chemistry.  The residency ..read more

Inspired by dreamy days on Hebridean shores…      I’m so excited to share with you all the newest creation to spring from the Island Darkroom workroom. The Bosta Bag continues my textiles ethos of the beautiful and the practical. This generously sized, relaxed shoulder tote has been handmade here in the workshop using local Harris Tweed fabric, lined with 100% cotton and featuring riveted leather shoulder straps. It’s been described as a ‘tardis’ of a bag, being able to pack well above its weight with all your bits and pieces. Whether it’s a trip to town, the beach or as the ca ..read more

Applications now Open   A creative retreat… During the winter months of 2024, Island Darkroom will be offering three photography-based artists a creative stay on the island    During the winter months of 2024, Island Darkroom will be offering three photography-based artists a creative retreat.These self-directed residencies have been set up to provide time and space to research, explore and create in a landscape of outstanding natural beauty. They are aimed at individuals who are looking for a space to cut off and get away from distractions to develop ideas. Perhaps you are wor ..read more

  NOTES FROM HOME An exhibition by Helen Jones Friday 1st September 2023 5-8PM Join us at Island Darkroom for the opening of 'Notes from Home' by Helen Jones, featuring Polaroids and large scale C-Type Prints. WHEN: Friday 1st September, 5-8PM WHERE: Island Darkroom, 5c Achmore, Isle of Lewis FREE & ALL WELCOME NOTES FROM HOME: Documenting public and private spaces, Helen Jones explores isolation and nostalgia. Selecting details that are both specific and generic, the photographs meditate on her experiences during the COVID-19 lockdowns. With attention to shape and shadow, images of ..read more

SHOAL Residents Exhibition 2023      SHOAL: Residents Exhibition 2023 Friday 23rd June 2023, 5-8pm Join us for the opening of the latest exhibition at Island Darkroom which celebrates the work of the latest winter artist in residence. SHOAL features the work created by these four varied artists on their working retreats - come and gain an insight into their experiences and creative process. The artists: Natalie Dawson Alixandra Fazzina Aindreas Scholz Laurence Sillars Looking forward to seeing you there! Featured image: Laurence Sillars   ..read more

Residency Reflections NAtalie Dawson Winter Residency: March 2023 The Island Darkroom residency gave me the perfect balance of structure and freedom that I needed after finishing art school and since leaving the residency I have realised that the work I have made has become a starting point for a much larger project. With more freedom in the sense that I didn’t need to hit a final end point in a limited time and allowing the project to flow more naturally in its time scale has been a beautiful thing to watch unfold and a great experience for me. It has allowed me to go to new places with it an ..read more