Aga Awtuch Studio

BENEFITS OF BEING A MEMBER OF PROFESSIONAL BODY AND ARTIST ORGANISATION 

The good news is that there are many artist organisation and professional bodies. The second good news is they offer membership for artists and makers (usually few options) and it’s not only a formal membership – it always comes with benefits. What kind of benefits can you get with a membership? I have researched organisation in Scotland and UK and found few I like.

AAS (Aberdeen Artists Society)

‘It is an artists-led membership organisation which aims to raise awareness of contemporary visual arts in Aberdeen and Scotland’ www.aberdeenartistssociety.co.uk

The organisation is known for prestigious exhibitions. They have three options: ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP ( members can create their own gallery and artists profile ina dedicated area of the AAS website and use AAS social media accounts to publish their work and exhibitions), STUDENT MEMBERSHIP ( the same benefits as ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP but a reduced membership fee, you just need your valid student card when paying), HONORARY MEMBERSHIP ( Honorary Members are artists who have made a significant contribution to art and having been recommended by the Council of the Society). The prize are attractive in my opinion:

£30 ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP 

£15 STUDENT MEMBERSHIP 

£ 0 HONORARY MEMBERSHIP per year.

All you need to do is apply on the website.

Other popular organisation is 

VAA (VISUAL ARTISTS ASSOCIATION)

‘The Visual Artists Association is the fastest-growing arts organisation worldwide’ www.visual-artists.org

Benefits sound great. And it sounds like you join to a movement, not just a n organisation. They offer sales opportunities, global community, guidance and marketing technologies and support members with insurance, networks, events, training and mentoring.

STANDARD MEMBERSHIP £59 per year, you can pay monthly.

PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP £125 per year, £11.99 monthly (something extra is access to subsidised mentorship programmes, entry to the VAA Artist of the Year Award, VAA Art 100 International Art Prize, VAA Open Spaces-Global Art Trail)

INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIP £110 per year. These gives access to the full suite of resources, protection, support for business.

NEW option is ART NETWORKS&GROUPS (£10-20 per member).

You can apply from the website  www.visualartists.org

In my opinion the website looks professional, seriously, dynamic, and contemporary.

OUTER SPACES

Is a contemporary visual arts organisation. They support a network of over 1000 artists. They offer a free public programme of commissions, exhibitions, and events. All you need to do is sign up for a newsletter.  

AXIS

‘Supporting artists to grow, connect and be seen’  www.axisweb.org/fellowship

Options:

GUEST (FREE)

No commitment. You are invited for public events, receive news and updates.

STARTER (£20 per year)

You join the community and take part. Access opportunities and jobs.

ASSOCIATE (£30 per year)

This is for artists who want practical support. Insurance, helpline, access resources and member events.

PROFESSIONAL (£55 per year)

For artists ready to grow and be visible. Benefits are:  curated profile and visibility across Axis, access to bursaries, mentoring, support for funding applications. Application only. Selection process. You need to meet the criteria: ‘by maintaining this application-only approach, we aim to curate a vibrant, dynamic, and diverse community of UK’s leading contemporary visual artists.

There are many more organisations and professional bodies for artists who need support and opportunities. They allow artists to join forces and develop their art practice and increase their chances of success, by supporting mentally, financially, professionally, giving opportunities to create professional studio, get space for new project (residency), to show their work (exhibitions) and to feel part of community (membership, events, markets), to sell their work, to promote their art worldwide (festivals, events, market, commissions, prizes, networking, professional development. It’s really great that artists mean something today, even if they are not very popular they can be recognised and appreciated. And it’s really great that there are organisations that help with this.

Resources:

www.wikipedia.org

Www.aberdeenartssociety.org

www.visual-artist.org

www.axisweb.org/fellowship

www.outerspaces.org

www.google.com/

I recently did some research on artists' education to check what importance education and the type of education can have for a successful career. Did the artist I like study, graduate, or pursue formal education? I chose three artists I admire:

 Yayoi Kusama (the world's most expensive artist), who attended school and high school in Matsumoto. Art-related professions were not in demand, and women in Japan had no future as artists. Kusama stuck to her guns and went to study at the Kyoto School of Fine Arts. I could not find any information that she graduated, but then again, she didn't need to, as she had two successful solo exhibitions in her first year of studying. After moving to Tokyo and then to the United States, she also began from solo shows.

Tracy Emin dropped out of school at age 13, two years later she attended Medway College of Design, Rochester where she studied fashion. She was accepted without a secondary school certificate at Maidstone College of Art (part of UCA) and earned a fine-arts degree in 1989. Then she obtained a masters’ degree in painting from the Royal College of Art in London.

Jade Fadojutimi earned a BA from the School of Fine Art, London and MA from the Royal College of Art (2017).

It is interesting. The conclusion is that achieving anything in the arts today is impossible without a solid education and higher education. All the artists I have selected confirm this rule.

I also did some research into the courses I was interested in at the universities I chose. I found two courses at the University of Dundee and one at RGU in Aberdeen.

Gray School of Art (RGU)

Fine Art- Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Moving Image BA (Hons)

You can explore a range of subjects. Curriculum includes studio-based projects, public exhibitions, work experience, and international study opportunities. You can apply from the website using Apply now with UCAS button with RGU Institution code: R36.

University of Dundee (Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art &Design)

Art&Philosophy BA (Hons)

Taught by artists of international standing and by respected practicing philosophers, the only course in Scotland that combines Fine Art and Philosophy. Philosophy modules introduce you to advanced philosophical approaches towards contemporary issues and ideas within art, ethics, film, literature, technology, and science.

Apply with UCAS code: WV15

Enter with Standard ABBB literature or art&design subject at Higher + portfolio.

University of Dundee (Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art &Design)

Art&Design (General Foundation BA (Hons)/B Des (Hons)

Course provides you with an understanding of art and design practice and helps to choose right for you specialist course. I like the idea to check what is the most exciting direction in art for me. Benefit from the course: experience in different interests and artistic activities to choose well my career (Fine Art, Textile Design, Illustration, Jewellery and Metal Design, Product Design, Animation, Art and Philosophy).

Apply with UCAS code: WV12

Enter with Standard ABBB literature or art&design subject at Higher + portfolio.

There are many intriguing career options available after completing the courses I have chosen: EXHIBITING ARTIST, ART+HEALTHCARE, PUBLISHING, CURATOR AND GALLERY ASSISTANCE, EDUCATION (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary), FURTHER STUDY, MARKETING AND MEDIA, ART WRITING).

Resources:

www.dundee.ac.uk

www.rgu.ac.uk

www.davidzwirner.com/artists/yayoi-kusama

www.jadefadojutimi.com

EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES

I decided to explore what opportunities contemporary artists have for organizing solo or group exhibitions. Since I live in Aberdeen, I first focused on options available in my local area but also looked at opportunities in Paris.

I found several organizations that offer concrete support for artists who want to create, exhibit, and sell their work.

OUTER SPACES

Outer Spaces is a contemporary visual arts organization and charity, established in 2021. The organization supports a network of over 1,000 artists and produces a free public programme of commissions, exhibitions, and events.

They lease vacant properties from commercial landlords on a temporary basis across 12 local authority areas in Scotland. These spaces can be used as studios or project spaces free of charge. The application process is simple—you only need to join the waiting list via email.

They offer exhibition opportunities within their network through Open Calls and Invitations.

D.A.S. (Deemouth Artist Studios)

Deemouth Artist Studios provides studio spaces for artists, designers, and makers. Several times a year, they host markets and also organize workshops.

It is a place where artists can have direct contact with clients while benefiting from being part of a creative community.

D.A.S. also offers exhibition support services for both tenants and non-tenants, including exhibition planning, construction of plinths, presentation and display units, shelving systems, preparation of exhibition spaces, and artwork installation.

(Contact: [email protected])

CURATED (Local Makers Market – Bon Accord Centre, Aberdeen)

This is an excellent place to sell artwork or organize an exhibition. A weekend exhibition costs £100.

NEOS (North East Open Studios)

NEOS is an annual open studios event in which artists and makers from across North East Scotland open their working studios to the public for nine days each September.

It is one of the largest geographically dispersed open studios events in the UK and connects artists, makers, and visitors throughout the North East of Scotland.

You can register for the event through the “Take Part in 2026” section on the website. Registration for 2026 was open from 1–31 March.

59  RIVOLI, Paris

59 Rivoli is an artists’ building with six floors of studios, open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

It offers artists the opportunity for ongoing promotion and exhibition of their work, as well as participation in both group and solo exhibitions.

It ranks third among contemporary art venues and galleries in Paris in terms of visitor numbers.

I have visited many times, and there is always a chance to meet artists at work and experience a constant flow of visitors.

Applications for studio spaces and exhibition opportunities can be submitted through their website (available in French) or in person by completing an application form on site.

LOOK AGAIN (Gray’s School of Art)

Look Again delivers exhibitions, talks, designer markets, festivals, and programmes that support and strengthen the art and design community in the North East of Scotland.

The organization activates vacant spaces in the city through art and creative projects and provides a programme of high-quality exhibitions.

Additional Advice

It is also worth following galleries from around the world on Instagram, as many of them periodically announce Open Calls. These posts usually include instructions on how to apply and what materials are required.

I have described places that I know personally and trust because I actively benefit from their support. I have a studio through Outer Spaces and regularly visit the exhibition venues I have mentioned. From my experience, each of these organizations offers meaningful support to artists on very favourable terms. They foster networking and community and, most importantly, help creative people overcome social isolation by connecting them with audiences in everyday life.

I believe these organizations are invaluable because they make art a genuine part of reality rather than something confined to museums. In my opinion, contemporary art has gained the recognition it deserves and enriches the lives of people who may not be artists themselves but who value the presence of art in their daily lives.

As an artist, I greatly appreciate the opportunities provided by the organizations mentioned above.

Websites:

www.59rivoli.org

www.deemouthartiststudios.co.uk

www.charliehouse.org.uk/curated-market

www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk

I am contemporary mixed-media artist based in Scotland (Aberdeen) who use visual media (painting, collage, print, photography, textiles) and text to create their own style and sense of artistic expression. I named my works NARRATION, because they tell stories. For me, mixed of both - visual art and text creates a perfect portal for self-reflection and self-discovery, an interesting opportunity to stop and connect with yourself (rare moments in a task-oriented life) – and this is my WHY (the reason I do my art).

I am  inspired by Expressionism, Surrealism, Pop Art, Scottish Colourists, literature, films, existential philosophy of Heidegger and Sartre, psychology of Jung and female symbols of goddesses like Kali, the anarchist spirit of punk rock and Japan colour palettes. I like to draw from everything that moves me and transform it into my own language of creation.

I create paintings, collages, mixed media works, art books and sometimes clothes with my projects using acrylic and watercolour paints, photos, magazines, acrylic pens, silk or cashmere scraps and text. I am always open for discovering new ways of expressing and I am enjoying experimenting. My main motivation is to build a vibrant and inviting to reflection art with exposed words and abstract humour (it always makes me happy). I also do not shy away from self-irony. 

My idea is: use everything you want to fully express a message. And my message is: discuss your identity, discover who you really are under the masks you so naturally identify as yourself. Touch your authentic self while you are watching my art. Feel the life. Feel alive. (Ok. It is more like a dream than reality. But, yes, I would like to be an artist who can make you moved.).

Solo exhibitions:

HERE IS WHAT I PAINTED, June 2017, Tea Zone Café, Aberdeen 

Group exhibitions:

BE WARHOL.BE BASQUIAT. BE YOU. vernissage&art exhibition, November 2025, Outer Spaces Gallery, Aberdeen 

PEARL EARRINGS COPYISTS’ EXHIBITION, 29 May-12 June 2026, The Sir Duncan Rice Library University of Aberdeen 

Education:

2021 Art&Design Portfolio Building (lev.6) NESCOL

2025 Fashion and Textiles: Design &Manufacture (lev.6) NESCOL

The Vibrant and Self-Reflective Creator

I am a contemporary mixed media artist based in Aberdeen, Scotland, currently studying Contemporary Art Practice (HND) at North East Scotland College. Driven by a lifelong fascination with looking for a deeper meaning in a human being and by a theme of woman identity I always find a way to express my newest reflection in visual and text form. My main body of work is painting, collages and art books. I love to combine art techniques with text because it is the best and adequate way to show what I think. Colours, expressive line, photos, prints, textile sometimes, my old works and words are my favourite tools to create my own artistic narrative. And I name my art works as NARRATIVES exactly- because, usually and literally they tell stories.

I build my layers using magazines, photos, prints, acrylic and watercolour paints, acrylic pens, oil pastels, silk, or cashmere scraps (everything I find inspiring) to challenge traditional perspectives of textures and structure and to create vibrant and bold artwork.

My work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions, including recent showcases at The Sir Duncan Rice Library University of Aberdeen – ‘Pearl Earrings Copyists Exhibition’ (29 May-12 June 2026).

I am currently developing a new series of art books based on the theme of woman’s self-discovery.