Craft Pods 2025/26: Marion Smith

28 November 2025 - 28 July 2026

The Craft Pod display features models and drawings of Marion Smith's designs for a new public sculpture, as well as information on her ideas and processes for its creation.

This year the touring Craft Pods feature a display from Fife-based sculptor Marion Smith, giving insight into her new public art commission for the Dunfermline Learning Campus.

The new Dunfermline Learning Campus brings together St Columba’s RC High School, Woodmill High School and Fife College onto one large purpose-built educational hub, where the community can share resources, experiences and learn together. As lead artist of the new public sculpture for the Campus, Marion has been collaborating with DLC students and campus users to generate ideas for the sculpture and think about possible artwork locations. Marion has also been working with local artists to deliver a series of creative workshops to discuss the language, techniques and approaches used in sculpture, and explore meaning, memory and the value of participation in creating public works of art.

While researching the sculpture, Marion has considered the purpose of the campus and has been inspired by Dunfermline and its unique stories and history. During her research for the sculpture designs, she has explored local legends, the local environment, and Dunfermline’s important part in producing modern textiles and linen. The stories and histories she uncovered have led to her creating a selection of designs combining durable materials like stone and cast metal.

The Craft Pod display features models and drawings of Marion’s designs for the new public sculpture, as well as information on her ideas and processes for its creation. There are opportunities for interaction and feedback, which Marion will consider through delivery of the project.

Fife Contemporary will continue to support Marion to deliver the new artwork, which is due to be completed in Summer 2026. The new Dunfermline Learning Campus will enable community use and public access for visiting the site and the new commission once complete.

The Craft Pod Tour 2025-26

6 November 2025 – 27 January 2026: Duloch Library, Dunfermline
29 January – 3 March 2026: Dunfermline Carnegie Library
6 March – 14 April 2026: Rosyth Library
16 April – 19 May 2026: Methil Heritage Centre
21 May – 23 June 2026: Inverkeithing Library and Heritage Centre
25 June – 28 July 2026: Fife College (Carnegie Conference and Events Centre – Dunfermline Campus)

The Craft Pod display showing information on the incoming public sculpture for the Dunfermline Learning Campus
One of Marion Smith's sketch designs for the public sculpture at the Dunfermline Learning Campus, showing a block of stone with an inlaid spider and web
A test stencil created by Marion Smith showing the design of a clover flower, based on antique linen designs found in Dunfermline. Light coming in through the window is creating a shadow of the intricate design.
The Craft Pod display at the Duloch Library, and some of Marion’s design ideas for the new sculpture

Fife-based sculptor Marion Smith makes artworks that reflect their surroundings. They are site-specific, which means they are created for the place where they are installed and are designed with the local community in mind. The things that make places unique – the landscape, the people and the history – all help develop her ideas. 

Marion has produced several permanent artworks seen around the UK from Scalloway in Shetland to Southampton on the south coast of England. You can see her sculptures closer to home as well. Her Polar Bear can be found in Moorhead Street in Dundee, and her bronze artwork The Plough and the Reaper can be seen on the East Shore in Anstruther, Fife.

Find out more about Marion Smith at her website here.

Fife Contemporary’s touring Craft Pods are mobile display structures that present a new curated display of contemporary art and craft to schools, libraries and community centres in and around Fife each year. The Craft Pods were designed and built by artists Nick Millar and James McLardy in 2009 – their unique octagonal design was determined through the use of recycled furniture and reclaimed wood available. The ‘Display Pod’ enables a 360 degree view of a compact exhibition, while an interactive ‘Information Pod’ helps an audience learn more about the artist and their work. The touring Craft Pods aim to share leading examples of high-quality contemporary craft around non-gallery venues, and to reach and engage with new audiences around Fife.

If you think your school, library or community centre in Fife would make a great host for the Craft Pods, please get in touch with us at mail@fcac.co.uk

Associated Pages

Blog: Marion Smith and the Craft Pods

Discover more about Fife-based artist Marion Smith’s work with the Dunfermline Learning Campus (DLC) students

Craft Pods on display at Adam Smith Theatre in 2024, showing the work of Lucy Pearl Petts

Craft Pods

The Fife Contemporary Craft Pods aim to tour small displays of high quality craft to non-gallery venues around Fife, allowing new audiences and more people to discover art in unexpected places.

Marion Smith RSA. Photo by Angus Mackay

Marion Smith at the DLC

Fife Contemporary are pleased to announce Fife-based sculptor Marion Smith RSA as the lead artist of a new public …