Fruitmarket opens an exhibition championing the creativity of Edinburgh primary school pupils
Fruitmarket’s Creative Connections exhibition marks the culmination of a pioneering three-year programme that places artists in schools to embed creative learning in the classroom. This year’s Creative Connections exhibition will be open to the public on 29.05.26–31.05.26 from 11am–6pm at Fruitmarket, Edinburgh.
The exhibition features artwork inspired by Fruitmarket’s programme, created by Primary 5–7 pupils across six primary schools in South Edinburgh: Craigour Park, Gracemount, Gilmerton, Liberton, Prestonfield and St Catherine’s R.C. Primary.
Since 2023, Fruitmarket has worked in close partnership with classes across the six primary schools in South Edinburgh. The schools have been paired with practising visual artists who have been in residence at the schools, working with pupils on creative projects supported by regular visits to the gallery.
The six artists are Alice Dansey-Wright, Coral Brookes, Georgie Fay, Greer Pester, Kate Temple and Lorna Gallagher. Through regular professional development sessions, Lead Artist Louise Fraser has supported teachers to develop new skills and the confidence to embed arts pedagogy in the classroom across the three years.
Creative Connections was created by Fruitmarket, in close collaboration with participating schools, in response to a demand for creative provision in Primary schools and a focus on pupil wellbeing and confidence following the Covid-19 Pandemic. The project was made possible at this scale and depth through a multi-year grant from Paul Hamlyn Foundation and now has set a benchmark for educational visual arts programmes in Scotland.
Over three years, 757 pupils aged 8 – 11, 23 classroom teachers and six headteachers have participated.
Artists worked with the same classes across the academic year, providing consistent mentoring for pupils and ongoing support for classroom teachers. At the end of each year, pupils showcased their work in a public exhibition celebrating achievement and strengthening connections between schools, families and the gallery.
This year’s cohort has drawn inspiration from recent Fruitmarket exhibitions including What Is Us and What Is Earth, by Glasgow-based artist Ilana Halperin and Wilding, by the Indigenous American artist Jaune Quick-to-See Smith.
One Headteacher said: “I think what’s really made the difference in this project is the fact that we have had the opportunity to work over a number of years. It is not unusual for us to be able to have a project that comes in for a term or a couple of lessons and children enjoy it and they go away afterwards, but it’s that sustainable impact that we don’t necessarily see to the same degree.
“The chance to build up a relationship with an actual artist, to build up a relationship with a gallery has a huge impact for the staff, for the school, also for the children as well, who really, I think, feel that the Fruitmarket is their gallery because of this extended time they’ve had together.
“That depth of the project has been something I’ve not actually seen that before in a project I’ve worked with in my 30 years in education.”
Fiona Bradley, Fruitmarket Director, said: “Over the course of three years, though our ongoing project evaluation, we have seen how working closely with artists in the inclusive context of contemporary art spaces –where there are no right or wrong answers – can help both pupils and teachers express themselves and grow in confidence.
“The annual exhibitions of pupils’ and teachers’ work at Fruitmarket are something we look forward to every year and give our audiences the opportunity to share in a moment of pride with pupils, teachers and families.
“We are very proud that the project has become so valued by the schools, and we have committed to continue to deliver the programme in the new school year in a sustainable form. We are actively fundraising for the continuation of the project and we are very grateful to the funders who are already help make this possible.”
Kevina Khan, Grants Manager, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, said: “Creative Connections shows the incredible things that can happen when artists, teachers and pupils collaborate.
“Through the programme, artists-in-residence and teachers have been building meaningful relationships and finding ways to bring the expressive arts into the curriculum for excellence.
“The impact on children’s educational outcomes, confidence, wellbeing and engagement is powerful.
“The professional learning element of the programme means that these creative approaches to teaching and learning will have a lasting legacy.”
Creative Connections Schools Exhibition
29.05.26–31.05.26, 11am–6pm daily.
Fruitmarket, 45 Market Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1DF
