Who we are
Hydra Arts was founded in 2019 by Peter McMaster and became constituted in 2023 as a Community Interest Company.
Whilst our board and work force are small, we are excited by the peripatetic individuals and communities who take part in each of our projects and we strive to be a company who bring a diversity of practitioners into West Dunbartonshire for the communities and participants we work with. To date we have collaborated with a wide range of individuals, organisations and partners, with collaborators from Iceland, Svalbard, Melbourne, Toronto and many other places.
We are committed to the establishment of a greater community of arts workers in West Dunbartonshire and create many opportunities for this across our programme.
We would always love to hear from you if you are one of these people. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us on contact@hydraarts.org if you ever want to say hi.
The Team
Peter McMaster
Peter is an artist who has been working nationally and internationally for 15 years. His work is mainly in performance, however through many different collaborations he tends to find himself between roles and disciplines. He has shown his work and collaborated with many artists from across the UK and beyond. Since having his first child in 2018, Peter decided to focus primarily on establishing local practice, investing his experience into the communities he lives amongst on a daily basis.
Peter is the Artistic Director and Executive Producer of Hydra Arts.
Ashley Hall
Ashley is our Company Co-Ordinator and a vital force across our entire programme of work. She supports the delivery of all our projects in a non-artistic capacity, ensuring smooth running behind the scenes.
With many years experience and a proven track record of driving positive change and fostering collaboration within organisations, Ashley brings both experience and energy to Hydra Arts.
She is also an original and core member of our Old Kilpatrick Players theatre troupe.
Lottie Barker
Lottie is a producer and creative arts facilitator based in Dumbarton and has been running Clifftop Projects since April 2020.
Lottie has had a varied career in the arts working with organisations such as Arts 4 Dementia, the British Ballet Organisation, Dance House Glasgow, Joan Cleville Dance, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Scottish Ballet and a continued relationship with Scottish Dance Theatre.
Lottie is on the board of directors for Hydra Arts.
Lucy Gaizely
Lucy realises her artistic practice as part of the collective 21Common. We blend iconoclastic references, pop culture and preoccupation with risk and danger to create spectacular dance and performance experiences. We are passionate about social practice. We feel this is vital in subverting the expected dynamic of leader/artist and what that means in the context of performance art. 21Common is a Regularly Funded Organisation (RFO) of Creative Scotland.
Lucy is on our board of directors and is Hydra Arts’ whistleblowing lead.
Suzanne McLellan
Suzanne trained as a musician before swapping the studio for the boards of Scottish Theatre. A senior arts leader with over a decade of experience in Scotland’s theatre sector, spanning both charitable and commercial venues. With a focus on inclusive audience growth, strategic marketing, and creative fundraising, she has led high-impact campaigns across organisations including; The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr; Ambassador Theatre Group’s Edinburgh Playhouse and Glasgow King’s and Theatre Royal and currently in her role at Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling. Her work blends values-driven leadership with a deep understanding of community, data, and creativity. Passionate about the power of performance to transform lives. Outside of work, Suzanne spends her weekends exploring Scotland with her son Dominic and their loyal dog Oscar – always seeking new stories to share, whether from the hills, the coast, or the theatre.
How we do things
Hydra Arts have signed the Green Arts Charter and are on a pathway to Net Zero as an arts organisation by 2030.
