The Agnes Owens Archive (AOA) is a dedicated collection housed within The Alasdair Gray Archive (AGA). It is the first standalone satellite archive created by the AGA, designed to illuminate the network of influence surrounding Alasdair Gray. In The Ends of Our Tethers, Gray described Agnes Owens as “the most unfairly neglected of all living Scottish authors” and this archive aims to support a fuller recognition of her work and legacy.

Our collection began with an initial donation of more than 700 items—including press articles, photographs, correspondence, and draft manuscripts—kindly gifted by Agnes’ son, John Crosbie. The archive continues to grow through ongoing donations and newly recorded oral histories, gathered as part of a Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities Collaborative Doctoral Award project led by researcher Laura MacDonald.

All of our work is focused on deepening understanding of Owens’ creative process and the cultural context in which she wrote, both within Scotland and beyond. Our approach to curating the collection is informed by AGA practices; we have used Owens’ published and unpublished titles as an organising principle, with archival boxes dedicated to each work.

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A new cultural centenary programme celebrating the Scottish writer Agnes Owens will take place across Milngavie and Alexandria in Scotland from April to June 2026. Curated by The Agnes Owens Archive (AOA) custodian Sorcha Dallas, the centenary programme includes a series of exhibitions, workshops and a major book launch marking reissued titles of Owens’ work published by Polygon.

Agnes Owens (1926–2014) was a Scottish writer known for her short stories and novellas that depicted working-class life and is regarded as one of Scotland’s most original yet under-recognised short fiction writers.

The centenary programme centres on Out of the Margins, a major exhibition at Lillie Art Gallery (18 April–18 June 2026) showcasing newly uncovered archival materials alongside commissioned sculptural work from Glasgow-based artist Hayley Jane Dawson that offer contemporary reflection and an artistic response to Owens’ writing and legacy.

A book launch and panel event will take place in Milngavie Town Hall, chaired by broadcaster Nicola Meighan. This event marks the first public launch of newly reissued works from the late author published by Polygon. To mark the occasion, Nicola Meighan will be in discussion with Owens’ son John Crosbie and curator Sorcha Dallas – reflecting on Owens’ life, legacy and the continued preservation of her work.

The launch event will also feature readings and discussion from Kirsty Logan, Dani Garavelli, Kirsten Innes and Heather Parry, who have each contributed new introductions to the recent reissues of Owens’ work. The event concludes with an audience Q&A and opportunity to purchase the new publications of  A Working Mother, Like Birds in the Wilderness, Gentlemen of the West, and For the Love of Willie.

Extending the centenary programme to the community where Agnes Owens spent her later years, a series of events and activities will also take place at Alexandria Library including an honorary birthday party celebration and a creative writing workshop led by The Agnes Owens Archive Writer-in-Residence and award-winning author, Kirstin Innes.

Exhibition: Out of the Margins
Lillie Art Gallery |  Preview:  Saturday 18 April, 2.30-4pm – 18 June 2026

Marking 100 years since Owens’ birth, the exhibition presents newly catalogued materials alongside contemporary artistic responses, offering fresh insight into her life and work.

Central to the exhibition is previously unseen materials generously donated by her son, John Crosbie. Manuscripts, notebooks, letters and personal items reveal Owens’ working practice and the lived experiences that informed her writing.  The exhibition also features newly commissioned sculptural works by Glasgow-based artist Hayley Jane Dawson, alongside selected works by Joan Eardley. The exhibition is supported by a curators tour led by curator Sorcha Dallas (12 June, 11:00am)

Agnes Owens: A Life in Conversation
Book Launch & Panel Event | Milngavie Town Hall | Saturday 9 May 2026, 4:00–6:30pm

A special evening celebrating Agnes Owens’ enduring literary influence. Chaired by Nicola Meighan and recorded live for arts podcast Kick Up the Arts, the event opens with a conversation between Owens’ son, John Crosbie, and Sorcha Dallas, reflecting on her life and legacy. The second half features readings and discussion with Kirsty Logan, Dani Garavelli, Kirsten Innes and Heather Parry, who have each contributed new introductions to recent reissues of Owens’ work published by Polygon. The event concludes with an audience Q&A and opportunity to purchase the titles.

Creative Writing with author Kirstin Innes
Thursdays 7, 14 and 21 May 2026, 10:30am–12:30pm
Alexandria Library

Led by Agnes Owens, Archive Writer-in-Residence and award-winning author Kirstin Innes, participants are encouraged to find inspiration in Owens’ work and develop their own creative voice.

A Celebration of Agnes Owens’ 100th Birthday
Saturday 23 May 2026, 10:00am–12:00pm
Alexandria Library

Members of the community are invited to an honorary birthday party to mark and celebrate Agnes Owens’ 100th birthday with tea, coffee and cake.  Visitors are also invited to contribute to a community memory map, sharing personal reflections and recollections of Owens and her work.

Agnes Owens Centenary Exhibition
Vale of Leven Heritage Room, Alexandria Library
23 May – 30 September 2026

A complementary exhibition in the Vale of Leven Heritage Room presents a selection of archival materials relating to Agnes Owens. Curated from local collections and the Agnes Owens Archive, the display offers further insight into her life and enduring connection to Alexandria.