Laura Aldridge

Sculpture House Collective & The Sculpture House
Ferguslie Park, Paisley
2022 –

Sculpture House is a long term project based in Craigielea House, a Victorian town house in Ferguslie Park formerly used as council offices, run by artists Nick Evans, Laura Aldridge & James Rigler.

It brings together under one roof our work as contemporary visual artists, our experience within grassroots arts organisations and our teaching and learning practices.

Our aim is to redevelop Craigielea House as The Sculpture House. The idea of a house is a welcoming motif that provides an alternative to the usual models of artistic production and learning such as the studio, museum, art school or contemporary art gallery. Building upon ideas of welcome The Sculpture House will embody forms of creative activity that are uniquely accessible to all. Our planned transformation of Craigielea House places our studios at the heart of a community facing and sustainable charitable enterprise. In addition to our own studios The Sculpture House will contain facilities and spaces that support a range of inclusive activities, provide opportunities for teaching and learning as well as new pathways to access the visual arts; especially for those who may normally experience financial, cultural or other barriers. Our goal is to work alongside community partners such as local residents via the
Residents Association, community Council, local schools and other council services.

We want to develop Craigielea House into a living museum – an inspirational space for the whole community and an ever-evolving record of the activities of the communities and individuals with whom we engage.

The Art News Paper, August 2024 – In Scotland, two pioneering arts outreach models enrich their communities

The List, April 2023 – Meet The Innovative Minds Behind Sculpture House

The Daily Record, July 2023 – New Sculpture House initiative in Ferguslie Park aims to widen access to creative arts

The Herald, June 2023 – Artists transform disused Paisley building into new ‘Sculpture House’