Artists Bio 

Laura paints and sculpts with yarn to create rugs, wall hangings and to upholster one off hardwood stools in collaboration with local woodworkers. Significantly influenced by a rural Scottish upbringing, Laura Derby (Rugaura) chose to obtain a BA Honours Degree in Industrial Design (Woven Textiles) at The Scottish College of Textiles (Herriot Watt) where her creative appreciation for colour, materials and application could develop. Working as an artisan rug maker with Dilana Rugs in New Zealand provided Laura the hand tufting and finishing skills necessary to create a quality product. Laura is based with Workshop and Artists Studio Provision Scotland (WASPS) in the Artists Town of Kirkcudbright who she has exhibited solo through in Edinburgh and was invited to exhibit with ‘Craft House’ in Glasgow. Regular group exhibitions are through WASPS. Upland CIC, The Borgue Collective and Wallnuts. Kirkcudbright National Galleries and Buy Design Gallery near Jedburgh stock Laura’s work. Laura was awarded The Inches Carr Foundation Emerging Maker Award 2022 and The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere Certification Mark in 2021 in acknowledgement of the origin and sustainability of Laura’s work and emphasis of her use of 100% British Wool and upcycled local materials.