This project brings together storytellers and photographic artists within a continually growing online community. The initiative initially looked to bridge cultures and highlight links within Arabian and Celtic storytelling traditions, which became a specific project spurred on by the artistic residency at Wigtown Book Festival 2017. The next stage of the project sees Confluence expanding its journey to focus on the Nordic countries and throughout 2018 the team will connect with storytellers and photographers from Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

The team behind Confluence believe there are common themes that run through human experience, and their aim is to trace these throughout the stories in different cultures. Through research gathered at Confluence events, artistic residencies, and exchanges, they are discovering common links in order to create new stories and photographic art, which in turn is inspiring the people around them and strengthening links between cultures.

Laura Hudson Mackay founder of Confluence, is a professional photographic artist, originally from Sheffield in the North of England, now living in Dumfries and Galloway, South West Scotland. Much of Laura's recent artistic work has been inspired by Celtic lore, with many images reflecting the Celtic esoteric spirit and culture. When creating her work, Laura often draws on the myths and fairy tales which connect different cultures, and through this ongoing body of work Confluence emerged as a cross cultural collaborative project. 

• Confluence is a grassroots initiative, which began in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland in February 2017.
   
• Their research into storytelling focuses on varying themes ranging from water, happiness, the number 3, old times, silence and money.
   
• Newly created photography and the tales, both traditional and modern, have been collected together in the book 'Celtic and Arabian Visions and Stories'.