Ella Mackay
2026 Invited Artist
Ella Mackay
Puppet maker and puppeteer
(Venue 02)
Glasgow-based puppet maker and puppeteer Ella Mackay joins the Pittenweem Arts Festival as an Invited Artist for 2026. Trained at the Glasgow School of Art, the Curious School of Puppetry, and the London School of Puppetry, Mackay's work explores the powerful relationship between puppets and their audiences. Working at the intersection of sculpture, performance, and storytelling, she creates characters and experiences that are playful, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant.
Fascinated by the blurred boundaries between reality and imagination, Mackay's practice invites audiences to consider why we instinctively connect with objects that appear to feel, think, and respond. Her work explores empathy, perception, and what it means to be alive, creating encounters that are both intimate and unforgettable.
Step into a world where objects breathe, emotions flicker in carved faces, and the boundary between the animate and inanimate dissolves.
Throughout the Festival, Mackay will transform the Art Rooms (Venue 02) into a living theatrical environment. A permanent exhibition of her beautifully crafted puppets will be on display, allowing visitors to experience the artistry, character, and storytelling that underpin her practice.
The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to encounter Mackay's work up close, revealing the craftsmanship and imagination behind each creation. Together, the puppets form a world that is at once whimsical, mysterious, and deeply human.
Experience the strange and powerful connection between puppets and people.
Alongside the exhibition, Mackay will present a vibrant programme of performances, workshops, and intimate micro-cinema screenings. Pop-up appearances throughout Pittenweem will bring her work beyond the gallery walls, creating unexpected moments of wonder across the village.
In the lead-up to the Festival, Mackay will also work with local schoolchildren through hands-on puppetry workshops, sharing creative skills and inspiring the next generation of makers and storytellers. These participatory experiences reflect the Festival's commitment to community engagement and artistic exchange, inviting audiences of all ages to discover the magic of puppetry and the power of imagination.