Abbeymount Spring Open Studios Weekend

Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd June

• Exciting FREE open studios event returns to Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios
• Featuring over 30 artists exhibiting fine art, illustrations, photography, ceramics, mosaics and fashion
• Meet the makers, watch demonstrations and get the chance to win an original piece of art in a free raffle

Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios are delighted to be opening their doors to the public again this next month for another exciting Open Studios weekend (their first  of the year) on Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd June from 12noon – 5pm. This exhibition will be first in the line-up of events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Out of the Blue.

Come along to see their creative spaces, meet the makers and browse a wide range of original artworks and gifts. Everything is handmade by local designers and makers here in the heart of Edinburgh.

With over 30 artists and makers taking part, there really is something for everyone, from fine art, paintings and illustration to ceramics, mosaics, textiles and photography.

There will be FREE art/craft/animation demonstrations and workshops taking place over the two days, plus a FREE raffle featuring exclusive prizes donated by Abbeymount Studios artists. 

Artists include up-and-coming wildlife painter Kirsten Mirrey whose work for the past five years has focussed on both exotic and endangered wildlife in a highly realistic style will also be taking part of the two days. She’s also just completed her first successful solo exhibition at the Watson Gallery. 

Robin Paine who exhibited at The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour’s winter exhibition, and was twice a finalist in London’s National Portrait Gallery Portrait Award will also be taking part.  Her work is in National and International Collections and she has taught widely, with a specialty in drawing and painting from observation. 

From ceramics, Frances Priest is represented in national collections including the National Museums of Scotland Edinburgh, the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge, the Victoria & Albert Museum London & the McManus Galleries Dundee. She has also been awarded The Wesley Barrell Craft Award and the Arts & Business Scotland Award. Helen Miles represents the world of mosaics. Trained in Greece, Helen designs and makes mosaics for interior and exterior spaces, using a variety of materials from unglazed ceramic tiles to Venetian glass and found objects. 

Award-winning designer Judy R Clark is famed for her exquisite hand-tailored womenswear designs comprising of Harris Tweeds, Scottish lace and antique fabric. Judy was crowned Designer of Year at The Scottish Style Awards.

The poster for the Spring Open Studios Weekend was designed by resident printmaker Rosanna Reade. She mainly works with lino, and occasionally screen and risograph printing. She particularly enjoys the tools and processes of linocut, and the sculptural nature of relief printing.

Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studio Manager Bob Guilianotti says: “Out of the Blue Abbeymount biannual open studios showcases the work of all 48 resident artists in an iconic building which is an arts and crafts creative hub right in the centre of Edinburgh.” 

Out of the Blue Chief Executive Rob Hoon says: “Out of the Blue is unique and resists classification. Our buildings are not simply artists’ studios, or ‘creative hubs’. Abbeymount Studios is one of our buildings which reflect a model that has developed and been sustained over 30 years, hosting a hybrid of arts, participatory education, enterprise, creativity, and community development.” 

Details of the Spring Open Studios Weekend, as well as a list of participating artists and makers can be found on the Abbeymount Studios website.