The Window Wanderland concept, which transforms everyday streets into outdoor art galleries, came to the streets of Leith for the first time on Saturday, giving the community the chance to show off their creative talents.
The event was organised by Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) subsidiary company, Quay Community Improvements (Quay), which enabled community groups in the EH6/EH7 postcodes, and shop owners and residents in and around the Great Junction Street, New Kirkgate and Constitution Street areas to decorate their windows.
The event, which has never taken place in Leith or Edinburgh before, received financial backing from the Big Lottery Awards for All fund, and support from the City of Edinburgh Council, Dr Bells Family Centre, Multi-Cultural Family Base, The Junction (young people’s service), YMCA, Inspiring Leith, Leith Creative and other local businesses.
Quay used Big Lottery funding to supply arts materials for workshops, and provided artists to support participating residents and groups to create window displays for the event.
Clare Halliday, Business & Communities Initiatives Manager at Quay Community Improvements, said: “The aim of Window Wanderland is to engage with the community of Leith and to celebrate the area by encouraging local people and visitors to go for an evening walk around the neighbourhood to admire the artwork.
“It has a proven track record in bringing communities together, attracting new visitors and business. We aimed to make that happen here in Leith too and to transform the streets for everyone to enjoy.”
Lotte Walters from Leith Festival, who created a window display for the event, said: “Window Wanderland was a great opportunity for the Leith community to come together and for us to raise the profile of our organisation and get people talking to us about the future of their festival. Leithers came up with some great designs for their windows and it was a great chance to get out and talk to everyone who was taking part in the event!”
Ian Dyson, Inspiring Leith Co-ordinator said: “Window Wanderland is an accessible way for local people to get involved in a creative activity and Great Junction Street really benefited from something positive taking place and bringing the community together.”
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