Category: Granton

Shortlisted Gasholder artwork designs go on display today

THURSDAY 18th – SATURDAY 20th JULY at GRANTON STATION

A piece of public art will be commissioned by the City of Edinburgh Council as part of the development of Granton gasholder park.

In February the Council invited locally-based artists and creative practitioners to develop ideas for the new artwork to be co-created with the local community.

Locals and visitors to Granton Waterfront will be given a sneak peek of six shortlisted designs for the new piece being exhibited at Granton Station from Thursday 18 – Saturday 20 July.

Ideas for the selected pieces have been taken from community interests and themes connected to Granton and all of the artists have provided opportunities for the local community to participate in the design process.

One artist will be chosen by a panel of experts from the City of Edinburgh and West Lothian Councils as well as creative and cultural charitable organisations.

The winner will be announced later this month and when it is open, the artwork will be one of the focal points in the new iconic Granton gasholder park.

The Granton Gasholder and surrounding area has an important position within the £1.3bn Granton Waterfront regeneration, with active travel routes and green space connecting Waterfront Broadway and the coastal park.

The space within the restored gasholder is to have multi-sensory play zones, a dedicated area for permanent and temporary public art and one for relaxation, outdoor trails, and tracks for exercise as well as a large outdoor space for sports, markets, seasonal events, community use, festivals, performance arts, exhibitions, and play. Work will also be carried out to plant trees, shrubs and wildflowers improving biodiversity and local habitat in the area.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “The gasholder plays such an important role in the £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront.

“The structure itself is currently being refurbished allowing it to become a place where the local community and other visitors will come together to enjoy outdoor space as well as other cultural activities.

“It is really important that they are involved in this project which is why local people have been working with all of the artists to help to produce each final design.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the exhibition and very excited to see which design is taken forward to be an engaging artwork in the new park.”

Designs by

Natalie Taylor

The concept for flutterby garden is to represent some of the species currently surrounding the Gas Tower and the wider Scottish environment in nectar rich borders. The proposal features a biodiverse garden with Scottish wildflowers and plants, selected to attract and sustain pollinators. It will also provide a beautiful area to sit and enjoy the surroundings. Design elements will honour the gas tower’s industrial history, including a laser-cut steel trellis featuring artwork by local people. The garden will form a bridge between the human and non-human world, pointing out the relationship between our food system and pollinating insects.

Kevin Dagg

The Mossy Bothy, a 9metre by 4metre building, aims to create a living monument that honours the legacy of factory workers and their families while capturing  a snapshot of the natural regeneration in North Edinburgh. With sustainability at its core, the Bothy is designed to grow with the community, evolving with the passage of time and changing seasons. The building will be constructed from recycled brick with horizontal surfaces to harbour sedums.  Gradually over time as the sedum secures a footing it will start to colonise the structure, which has the potential to harbour 120sqm of biodiversity.

Bespoke Atelier/Iglu Studios

The proposal is for a playful composition of forms which inspire users to interact, perch, play and sit. The proposed artwork is inspired by the vessels of the Scottish Marine Station in Granton and wave sculptures surrounding the boat signify the coast and water. The surfaces will be tactile, inviting people to touch the patterns and feel the connection to their natural environment. The low carbon approach to materials will be complemented by a series of planting areas around the edge of the art space.

Maja Quille/Julian Stocks

The artwork will be ia geometric steel sculpture, utilising squares, circles and triangles, inspired by the historic links to lighthouses in the area and the gasholder itself. A steel cube balanced on its point, the shape references the trestle-like frame of the Granton lighthouse windows as well as the gasholder cross-beams, creating interesting sight-lines through the structure, which will frame the work when seen from different angles. Each side will be covered in a unique pattern, developed in collaboration with different community groups and abstracted through a kaleidoscope.

Aeneas Wilder

Aeneas is proposing a monumental structure made from the stacked assembly of granite stone blocks, which is an abstract geometric structure echoing the construction and engineering of the Gasholder frame itself. The design also has within it a number of symbolic references and indicators of the culture, heritage and history of the Gasholder site, the greater Granton area and the communities that live there.

The proposed structure has seven peaks, which roots the design in Edinburgh, with its reference to the seven hills on which the city is built. These peaks could also be viewed as chimney stacks setting off a chain of reference, including coal, heating, energy sources and sustainability.

Svetlana Kondakova Muir

This design celebrates the local natural environment by portraying one of the Firth of Forth’s most special visitors. A copper and bronze life-sized head of a humpback whale will appear to be emerging from underwater vertically, an awe-inspiring shape, allowing visitors to experience the full might of this incredible creature.

It will be made in a contemporary polygonal style which will complement the gasholder structure, the faceted form relating to the idea that the humpback whale is the ‘jewel’ of local wildlife. . It will incorporate bronze artworks created by local school children and college students, including an oyster reef, barnacles and other wildlife as well as tactile panels created by pupils of Oaklands School with complex support needs.

Exhibition opening times:

Thursday, 18 July, 9am-5pm

Friday, 19 July, 9am – 5pm

Saturday, 20 July, 10am – 3pm

Location: Granton Station, 1 Granton Station Square, EH5 1FU

Granton Gasholder Park: Public Art Design Exhibition

THURSDAY 18th – SATURDAY 20th JULY

Everyone is welcome to visit the Granton Gasholder Park public art design exhibition opening this Thursday 18th July 9am at Granton Station.

Running until Saturday 20th July 3pm.

On view will be proposal from the six shortlisted artists and artist teams who have been developing ideas alongside the local community in Granton for this permanent art installation opportunity.

Only one artist proposal will go forward. Come along to see all the options available. To be decided by selection panel only.

Free, Granton Station Building.

Walking Like a Tortoise: Granton exhibition at Central Library

Walking like a Tortoise, a mixed media, walking art exhibition

Edinburgh Central Library, 7 – 9 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EG. Foyer and Display Case on Main Stairs

1 August – 30 September

(10am – 8pm Monday to Wednesday; 10am – 5pm Thursday to Saturday)

‘Walking like a Tortoise’ is a range of art work based on a series of walks around Granton on the northern edge of Scotland’s capital city.

Using maps of the area from 1870 to the present day, Tamsin Grainger skirted the urban and coastal landscapes of Granton, looking into hidden corners, seeing from unlikely angles and meeting those who live and work there.

Through photography, words, video, textiles and found materials, she asks how the act of slow walking can develop a sense of belonging somewhere, and how mindful noticing of the area on foot, promotes appreciation of and connection to what is home.

Tamsin’s been walking around Granton for 14 years now, alone and with other members of the community, and has become interested in the alterations that people and the climate have wrought.

Although places transform all the time, the built-up environment and natural spaces of Granton have recently been changing at an exceptionally rapid pace and still are: the harbour is now a no-go area; streets and stations have been given new names and functions; and views have disappeared.

Slowly wandering the boundary and making artwork has stimulated a deeper understanding of local history and heritage, but how much of this will soon have vanished? Is Granton disappearing and being replaced by the Edinburgh Waterfront?

By visiting the exhibition, you are invited to consider: ‘What are the invisible boundaries which define us?’ ‘What happens if the exact edges of our living space change? Is it important to you that things stay the same or do you welcome transformation?’ ‘Do you feel part of the decision-making processes which precipitate such changes?’ and, ‘Is there a link between a sense of who you are and feeling that you belong somewhere?’

Tamsin Grainger is a walking artist who has lived in Granton for 15 years and has extensive experience in the Community Arts in Edinburgh.

She was Dance Artist in Residence for the City of Edinburgh, and is currently the Granton Waterfront Heritage Programme Development Worker.

This exhibition was first shown at the Granton:hub in 2023.

Talk about your daily bread

A few spaces left:

Could you spare an hour on Sat 20th July to chat about bread?!

Some Edinburgh University researchers are currently recruiting for a focus group, and will pay £20 (generic shopping voucher). Please email the address on the poster if you’re interested..

You may know that we’re doing various experiments with grain growing and have been running Granton Garden Bakery since 2019. We’re interested in your views on bread, whatever they are!

Women’s History and Heritage, Granton and North Edinburgh

You are invited to an evening dedicated to women’s heritage as part of the local history of Granton and North Edinburgh

Granton:hub and Granton Waterfront Heritage Programme present an evening of talks and discussion celebrating the part women have played in the heritage and local history of Granton and North Edinburgh. It will take place on July 18th 2024, 7-9pm at Granton Station, 1 Granton Station Square, Granton, Edinburgh EH5 1FU.

Leading academic and Chair of the Edinburgh Caribbean Association, Lisa Williams; Victoria Nyanga-Ndiaye, Founding Chief Executive Officer of Project Esperanza, and Jade Stein from Engender will join local women who live in Edinburgh and activists for a lively conversation around the history of women’s involvement in the area, women’s heritage, and our wishes for the future.

There will be space for sharing stories, memories and aspirations, and a chance to see the Eve-Hawa Quilt, “a profound expression of resilience and healing” which was made by skilled women involved with Project Eseranza with the artists Francia Boakye and Alberta Whittle with @natgalleriessco.

We hope that as many people from our community as possible will join us. Please tell your friends.

This is a free event and the venue is accessible. Light refreshments will be provided. You are welcome to bring a cushion to make sitting more comfortable for you.

If you would like to be involved more formally, or suggest someone, please contact Tamsin Grainger on history@grantonhub.org

This is a Granton Waterfront Heritage Programme event in conjunction with Granton:hub and thanks go to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland for funding.

Please book your ticket via Eventbrite: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/929688261617?aff=oddtdtcreator

Powderhall Bronze launches series of Summer Foundry Tours 

Bookings are now live for a series of tours at Powderhall Bronze, one of the only remaining fine art foundries in Scotland. 

Located in Granton, Powderhall Bronze was established by husband-and-wife team Brian Caster and Kerry Hammond in 1989, and offers a bronze casting service to practising artists.

The family run foundry is renowned for casting a vast array of bronze artworks from small gallery pieces to monumental public artworks.

Notable works include ‘Really Good’ by David Shrigley, sited on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square and ‘Your next breath’ by Kenny Hunter sited outside Edinburgh’s Royal College of Surgeons.

This summer, the foundry is opening its doors for a limited number of exclusive tours. From £20 per person, guests will take a tour around the foundry with directors Kerry Hammond and Brian Caster.

Along the way they will explain how they use the ancient lost wax casting process to create the bronze sculptures and give a unique insight into some of the current foundry projects. 

Each tour will last approximately 90 minutes and will end with a glass of wine or soft drinks with the opportunity for guests to ask questions. The tours are available in August and can be booked via the Powderhall Bronze Editions website at www.powderhallbronzeeditions.co.uk 

With over 35 years’ experience working in bronze, Brian and Kerry are experts in their craft, and also work as practising artists. Their own collection of contemporary cast bronze sculpture can be found on display in the family run gallery, Powderhall Bronze Editions on Summer Place in Edinburgh.

Inspired by natural forms, their pieces are suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings and showcase the very best the material has to offer. These pieces are annually exhibited at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.powderhallbronzeeditions.co.uk 

Volunteer opportunities in Granton Art Centre (NGS)

National Galleries Scotland are recruiting volunteers to help with our upcoming events that will take place in the Granton Art Centre.

We are prioritising volunteers based in the area as we are looking to support local people and help connect them with the community. You can find more information in the link below:

https://volunteer.nationalgalleries.org/opportunities/67344-granton-art-centre-volunteer-2024-06-05

We need your help in providing a warm welcome for community groups and visitors to Granton Art Centre, where we house many artworks from the National Galleries of Scotland’s collection.

With your help we can support audiences, in particular groups from North Edinburgh, to feel more connected to the collection and National Galleries of Scotland.

Your role: 

You will be supporting the GAC team – led by our Store Manager, Holly – as well as freelance artists and educators who lead tours, events and activities to ensure community groups and visitors have a positive and memorable experience.

This opportunity supports National Galleries of Scotland with its community development programme in North Edinburgh, building relationships for The Art Works – National Galleries of Scotland’s future project in Granton to deliver a community centred and sustainable new facility for Scotland’s collection of art.

What is the Granton Art Centre: 

Granton Art Centre is Scotland’s first purpose-built art store for paintings, drawings and sculptures from the national collection. It provides 1,300 square metres of secure and climate-controlled storage space.

It is a living archive, full of potential inspiration for community groups, artists, researchers, schools, and individuals where visitors can see artworks up close.

In the future, Granton Art Centre will eventually exist as The Art Works.

How to apply:

  • Easiest way to apply is online through the button on the right. You will be asked to provide some basic information about you, along with why you would like to volunteer in this role. You will also be asked for two referees, ideally one of them should be work/education/volunteering related and the other personal.
  • Alternatively you can email us at volunteer@nationalgalleries.org or call us 0131 624 6266

We are looking to recruit a team of 4 – 5 volunteers each contributing about 2hrs per month

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION BY THE END OF JULY

Through this opportunity we aim to support local people and help connect them with the community. As such, priority will be given to applications from local residents (EH5 postcode).

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home tackles pet poverty head on with their Pet Care Clinic

Pet owners in Edinburgh and Midlothian who are struggling to afford to care for their pets are being given the opportunity to attend drop-in Pet Care sessions at four locations across the city.

Providing support, and guidance, the Pet Care Clinics are an in-person service which allows veterinary experts who volunteer for the Edinburgh Dog and Cat to support owners with basic behavioural queries, providing equipment to support training, advice on welfare, wellbeing checks and signposting to available services and support.

The monthly drop in sessions take place at Simon Community Scotland, Food Facts Friends (Penicuik), Craigmillar’s Edinburgh Food Project and the Salvation Army in Granton.

These venues are also supported by the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home’s food bank service, which works with 87 pet food bank providers across East and Central Scotland, providing meals to pet owners who would otherwise not be able to afford to feed their beloved pets.

The cost of living crisis has impacted the ways in which some pet owners care for their animals with some being forced to surrender their pets due to being unable to afford to care for them.  From January to April 2024 the Home received 458 surrender requests from those struggling to keep their pet, they administered 104 vaccinations to animals in their care and provided 181 free pet essential items to owners in need.

Jamie Simpson, Director of People and Services at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said,“ We are seeing a worrying increase in the number of pet owners who are unable to afford vet treatment and don’t know where to go to get advice on training, behaviour, nutrition or general pet care.

“We want to take action to prevent minor issues, behavioural or veterinary, becoming much bigger issues and in doing so prevent a pet owner from potentially having to give up their pet.

“Our Pet Care clinics include a volunteer vet to support with basic pet care advice and are delivered in partnership with local organisations in a hub setting to allow owners to find support and advice under one roof.

“The aim is to support pet owners with advice as well as to signpost them to other support and in doing so, keep pets in loving homes.”

Volunteer vet,  Victor Bates said, “For many of the people seen via Pet Care, the impression is that their pets are sometimes the one real emotional support and constant in their lives.

“I think that Pet Care helps to at least reduce some of the worries that people on low or no incomes have about feeding and ensuring the well being of their pets and companions.”

Volunteer vet, Susan Little said, “As a local vet with some spare time, I enjoy being able to help and advise people, whilst sharing in their stories of their pets, with all their adventures and mischief.

“Being part of a regular, small team of friendly faces allows trust to be built up, so that folk feel comfortable to confide in us about the issues they are facing. “We are able to give general support and advice, along with being able to make a bit of fuss of any dogs which they bring along.

“A bit of chat and humour with the people coming along to the sessions makes it an inclusive, welcoming time, which is rewarding for volunteers and owners.”

Hugh Hill from Simon Community Scotland said, “‘Across all our services we support people to stay connected with their dogs.

“We recognise the companionship and care each receives from each and in many cases it isn’t simply the most important relationship in their lives, it can be the only one. Our partnership with Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home has been hugely valuable in supporting owners and their dogs to stay together and have the support to maintain that powerfully healthy relationship.”

Please contact foodbanks@edch.org.uk if you would like to support the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home by running a pet food drive at your place of work or community group, or if any pet food store/business would like to help with donations.

For more information please visit: www.edch.org.uk/pet-care

Have your say on improvement plans for Granton Medway

TWO CONSULTATION SESSIONS NEXT WEDNESDAY 26 JUNE

The City of Edinburgh Council has appointed AtkinsRéalis to look at potential opportunities for improvements to two areas of open space at Granton Medway.

The first site is the area of land between the two rows of housing blocks to the south of Granton Medway. The second site is the larger area of grassland siting to the north of Granton Medway.

At this early stage we are looking to gather local knowledge from the residents to help us inform both developments and shape the improvements for the communities who use them most. These improvements are looking to address accessibility, safety, biodiversity, flood water management, and general landscape improvements.

To facilitate this, we will be holding 2 separate consultation events on Wednesday 26 June for residents to drop in and talk to the team together with the city council’s Housing team at the following venues and times:

Granton Medway Orchard Garden: 11am – 2pm at The Salvation Army Community Centre, 36 Wardieburn Drive, Edinburgh, EH5 1BZ

Granton Medway Community Park: 4pm – 7pm at the entrance to the park on Granton Medway (Outdoor)

Edinburgh Direct Aid International unveils inspiring Mural

Edinburgh Direct Aid International proudly announces the  completion of a powerful and evocative mural at its warehouse at West Harbour Road in Granton, symbolizing unity, resilience, and the spirit of humanitarian aid.

This  significant artwork was made possible through a generous grant from the Diversity and Inclusion  Fund 2023/2024 awarded by the Edinburgh Council which seeks to support the work of ethnically  diverse artists.  

The mural, a vibrant testament to the charity’s mission of providing aid to refugees in Lebanon,  Ukraine, Gaza, and other war-affected regions, was designed and directed by internationally-awarded Mexican muralist Draya Madú.

Draya, whose works have garnered global recognition for  their depth and social impact, was joined by Mexican beginner artist Eva Paredes, and a  dedicated team of volunteers, all of whom brought this vision to life through a campaign of  research, surveys and consultations.  

“The mural is not just a piece of art; it represents a light of hope and a reminder of our shared and  caring humanity as well as a call to action to keep helping those in need,” said Draya Madu. 

“Working with Edinburgh Direct Aid and seeing the community come together in support of  refugees worldwide has been a unique inspiring experience.” 

The mural project reflects Edinburgh Direct Aid’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the  power of collective action. It showcases a blend of cultural motifs and symbolism, creating a  visual narrative that connects the local Edinburgh community with global refugee populations. 

One of the most striking elements of the mural is the depiction of a child being given wings by a  charity volunteer,

“Why the wings on the child? you may ask” says Ian McHaffie, representative  from Edinburgh Direct Aid. “Because humanitarian aid spreads out from the boxes in our warehouse to help people rise above their immediate circumstances, to fly up from their troubles, and see a new vision and new hope for their future.” 

The Diversity and Inclusion Fund from the Edinburgh Council has been instrumental in bringing  this project to fruition. By supporting initiatives that celebrate diversity and foster inclusion, the  Council has enabled the creation of a lasting symbol of solidarity and compassion in the heart of  Edinburgh. 

Join Edinburgh Direct Aid for the unveiling ceremony. The event will take place on June 30th at 1.30 pm, at the local charity warehouse.

Representatives from the Edinburgh Council will  be in attendance to honour the collaboration and community effort that made this project  possible.