Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
I will be hosting the Glasgow Launch of Martin Goldie’s brilliant new poetry collection, Clydefisher. Avant Garde, King Street, Glasgow, Tuesday 14th April. Doors 6:30pm. There will be a money can’t buy line-up of poets including, Julie McNeill, Hugh McMillan, Morag Anderson, Alan Cairncross-Goldie, Biff Smith and Ian Boyd. Free to attend
Join me in my role as Makar for the Scottish Women’s National Team alongside the Hampden Makars Julie McNeill and Hugh McMillan as we celebrate the Everyday Heroes and Everlasting Icons of Scottish Football Through poetry. Paisley Book Festival. Friday 15th May, Paisley Town Hall 1:15 - 2:15pm. PWYC £5/£8/£12
I am thrilled to be part of this immersive performance of poetry, choral singing, music and visual art, Produced by Poet, Jim McIntosh and narrated by Poet, Stephen Watt. With brand new poetry following the journey of water from ancient rivers to climate inequality written by myself, Jennie Turnbull and Taylor Dyson. Perth Festival Theatre, Joan Knight Studio, Monday 25th May, two shows at 5:30pm & 8pm. £12, U18 £5
News
News
News News
25th June 2025
I had the joy of being the featured poet at the Alchemy Experiment open mic, hosted by Ross Wilcock. This is a welcoming and special space. If you haven’t been, get yourself down there. Last Wednesday of Every Month.
June 2025
June 2025 saw me in conversation with two brilliant poets, Emma-Claire Brightlyn and Oliver Robertson
watch Emma-Claire here
watch Oliver Robertson here
24 October 2024
Yoga and Poetry Workshop, in partnership with Paisley Arts Centre and OneRen
Thank you to the beautiful women who came along to session two of yoga and poetry at Paisley Arts Centre. We did 30 minutes of relaxing hatha yoga and then moved on to some writing practice. First, some Hemmingway wisdom to get us started (reckon he could have benefited from some yoga) then warm up prompts to get the writing brain flexed, this encouraged us to go inwards, to look outwards and then to consider ourselves in relation to others. Finally, we examined list poems as a form and wrote, then shared our own. As these things tend to be, energetically, we all entered the room last night with similar experiences and stories. I was also intrigued by the expertise and area of interest that each participant brought, from Scotland’s witches to articulating grief and how our use of language evolves through our journey to deeper self-awareness. Incredible! Thank you to everyone for participating so fully. Also, thank you to OneRen and all the staff at the Arts Centre. I am eternally grateful.
“Well structured and such a friendly safe space. Would love to do another workshop with Donna”
20 October 2024
On Sunday the 20th of October, we gathered in the newly refurbished theatre of the Paisley Arts Centre for a poetic triple treat. Graham Fulton, Bobby Motherwell and Shaun Moore delighted the crowd with poems, spoken word and music spanning the breadth of the human experience from poo to tattie scones. Bobby treated those gathered to a history lesson about the renowned Scottish Poet and Ornithologist, Alexander Wilson who was baptised in the very kirk that is the Paisley Arts centre in 1766. There were stunning open mic contributions from Martin Goldie and EmmaClaire Brightlyn and I wore my new Poets in Paisley branded sweatshirt. A wonderful afternoon with a receptive and warm audience. Thank you to OneRen, paisley Arts Centre front of house and technicians and the fabulous Blend coffee at Paisley Arts. I sincerely hope we get to do this again.
Poets in Paisley Presents a Renfrewshire Makar’s triple Headliner
16 October 2024
Ep 11 of ‘Create the Life You Want’, featuring Craig Houston
On episode eleven of ‘Create The Life You Want’ I was joined by writer, poet and performer, Craig Houston. During this conversation, Craig told me that one of the greatest gifts poetry has given him is the ability to make sense of challenging experiences by writing them down, “it’s an easier way to be pissed off”. For me this is a practice of self-mastery, accountability and self-compassion, a gift indeed, as was this conversation. Listen back by clicking the link below.
6 October 2024
Poetry and Prose Expressive Writing Workshop with Lindsay Johnstone writer in partnership with OneRen
A beautiful experience working alongside John Byrne prize winning writer and friend, Lindsay Johnstone to deliver a poetry and prose workshop at Paisley Arts Centre. Another partnered event for their autumn season and a perfectly themed gathering of words and people celebrating creative expression. We covered writing exercises, prompts, flash fiction and Lindsay and I read from our own work and the work of other writers who inspire us to pick up the pen. The feedback speaks for itself.“I now know why I am here”
26 September 2024
Yoga & Poetry Workshop in partnership with OneRen
I delivered my first yoga and poetry workshop in partnership with OneRen. It took place at the newly refurbished Paisley Arts Centre in the upstairs studio which incidentally, used to be the bar! Six gorgeous women (complete strangers to me, prior to the workshop) attended and participated in the yoga and writing practice. I was blown away by the themes of the discussion which emerged organically. We spoke about how we are eager to break the chains of societal expectations of women in mid-life. Express our authenticity, beauty and creativity. Decide who our tribe is and to where we feel we belong and step into the unknown as a way of challenging ourselves to face our fears and transcend our own outdated beliefs of who we are in relation to the world.I took notes while the participants talked and weaved their beautiful words into this found poem.2 September 2024
My blog piece for The Scottish Poetry Library
29 August 2024
Announcement
Donna Matthew is appointed Makar for the Scottish Women’s National Team Poetry Society
10 August 2024
Glasgow Review of Books, review of the Loud Poets National Slam Final, Edinburgh International Book Festival
Photo: I Am Loud
17 May 2024
Loud Poets May Showcase
Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh
Photo: I Am Loud