Dandelion was an ambitious creative programme supporting the people of Scotland to sow, grow and share together. Its programme followed the arc of the growing season, from April to September 2022 – culminating with hundreds of Harvest events across Scotland. Dandelion took a unique approach to community growing, bringing together artists, makers, scientists, performers and technologists to present events and programmes across Scotland including a series of Unexpected Gardens and two major music, food and creative festivals in Glasgow and Inverness.

Aproxima Arts led the initial bid consortium that also included Celtic Connections, Scotland’s Rural College, Feis Rois and the James Hutton Institute. Angus Farquhar acted as Creative Director of Dandelion with James Johnson as Creative Designer for the programme. They were instrumental in the development of the “cubes of perpetual light” – miniature artworks meets vertical farms that appeared in locations across Scotland including V&A Dundee, Edinburgh International Book Festival, the Scottish Parliament building as well in schools across the country. The cubes also formed the stunning 20 metre high Pavilion stage, the to the two Dandelion Festivals.

As part of their work, Angus and James supported the creative development and design of 13 edible gardens across Scotland from the Borders to the Highlands and Islands including locations at GalGael in Govan, Glasgow, Stranraer, Uist, Dundee, Forres and Argyll. Many of these gardens continue to flourish as community growing and event spaces.

Dandelion was commissioned by EventScotland, funded by Scottish Government and part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK