Pupils gain rare insight into life as a professional artist through year-long residency
Pupils at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh have spent the past year working alongside acclaimed Scottish artist Robbie Bushe RSA through a unique artist-in-residence programme, gaining a behind-the-scenes insight into how a professional artist works.
The year-long residency culminated in the unveiling of a major new artwork inspired by the school community at a special exhibition attended by pupils, parents, alumni and leading arts patron Richard Demarco, founder of the Richard Demarco Gallery.
Throughout the year, Robbie worked from a studio space within the school’s Faculty of Technologies & Creative Arts, giving pupils the opportunity to see a large-scale work of art evolve from initial sketch to finished piece, and to experience first-hand how ideas are brought to life.
At a time when creative subjects face increasing pressure in schools, the residency reflects Merchiston’s belief that the arts help young people build confidence, think independently and see the world differently. As technology and artificial intelligence continue to reshape the workplace, skills such as creativity, problem-solving and adaptability are becoming increasingly important.
Robbie joined the school in October 2025 and invited pupils and members of the wider school community to contribute drawings, stories, memories and imagined futures for the school, many of which helped shape the final work.
Polly Prosser, Lead Teacher of Art & Design at Merchiston Castle School, said: “The art and design curriculum encourages pupils to engage directly with artists and artworks, but nothing compares to seeing that process unfold in front of you every day.
“The boys have seen every stage of the journey with Robbie and our small class sizes have meant every pupil has had the chance to speak with him, ask questions and share ideas. It’s been fantastic to see how much they’ve taken from the experience.”
Among them was Chester, a pupil originally from Hong Kong, who incorporated elements of Robbie’s approach into his own coursework, drawing inspiration from his use of storytelling, architecture and memory.
He said: “Through my conversations with Robbie Bushe, I became interested in how different moments in time can exist simultaneously within one image.
“His detailed cityscapes and narrative approach inspired me to layer architectural forms, personal memories and imagined spaces in my final piece, reflecting my experience of migration between Hong Kong and Edinburgh.”
The artwork forms part of a wider series exploring memory, community and the hidden structures that shape everyday life. Drawing on Robbie’s own school experiences alongside stories and ideas contributed by the Merchiston community, the painting features familiar landmarks, imagined spaces and visual references inspired by conversations with pupils throughout the year.
Among them are imagined underground train systems beneath the school, hidden worlds within buildings and a gecko peering from a stack of library books – ideas that emerged through discussions with pupils during the residency.
Robbie Bushe RSA said: “One of the most rewarding aspects of the residency was the curiosity of the pupils. Their ideas, questions and observations constantly challenged me to look at things differently.
“Artists can sometimes work in isolation. Spending a year immersed in a school community brought a completely different energy to the work and many of the details within the painting grew directly from conversations with pupils.
“Being given the opportunity to work alongside the boys and become part of the daily life of the school has had a real impact on my own practice. The finished piece is as much a reflection of the community as it is of my own experiences and ideas.”
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