Women-only paint jam brings colour and community to Westway

Sixteen female street artists from across Scotland came together recently for a ground-breaking women-only paint jam at Westway, one of Scotland’s largest industrial estates, based at Glasgow Airport in Renfrew.

Organised by Mortar Projects, the event brought together artists of varying experience levels – from emerging creatives to seasoned pros – from local communities including Renfrew and Paisley to East Kilbride and Glasgow, as well as from as far afield as Aberdeen and Elgin.

Street art has long been a male-dominated space, but this unique event created an inclusive platform where women could come together in a safe and supportive environment to paint, collaborate and build lasting connections and friendships.

“This space at Westway has allowed us to create something really special,” said organiser Cheryl Galbraith of Mortar Projects. “It’s not just about painting, it’s about community, support and giving women the confidence to express themselves publicly, without fear of being judged or hassled.”

The paint jam transformed a section of the industrial park into a vibrant canvas, showcasing a wide range of styles and ideas. For many of the artists involved, it was an opportunity to grow creatively and professionally.

Kirsty Veldon, from Renfrew works as a care and is new to painting. She said: “I’m just starting out and honestly, I was quite nervous. But everyone’s been so kind and encouraging. I’ve learned loads just by watching and chatting. It’s made me feel like I belong here, even as a beginner.”

Nikki McGuigan, from Tollcross in Glasgow is a professional artist and has recently won the commission for East Renfrewshire Covid Memorial Project: “Winning the memorial commission was huge, but being part of this jam gave me space to reconnect with the community and celebrate the resilience of women. It reminded me why I do what I do.”

The event offered not only a chance to showcase talent, but also to foster mentorship and networking among the artists. “A lot of the girls are still learning,” Galbraith explained, “and for some, this is a career path, while for others it’s a passion project or hobby. The mix of skill levels actually makes the experience richer.”

Phil Tomlin from Mortar Projects said: “This has been such an important step for us, not just creatively, but in terms of building a visible, empowered community of women street artists in Scotland,” added Phil Tomlin from Mortar Projects. “We’re so proud to have created a space where everyone, no matter their background or experience, feels welcome and valued.”

Westway has been a crucial partner in making this happen. “We’re absolutely delighted to support this paint jam,” said Jim Nicol, estate manager for Westway. “Providing a safe, inclusive environment for these incredible women to create, connect and inspire one another has been a real privilege. The energy and artwork they’ve brought to this space is just amazing.”

As the day wrapped, walls were left splashed with colour and creativity, but the legacy of the event runs deeper – building confidence, skills and community among Scotland’s growing network of female street artists.