City Art Centre announces exciting programme of events to accompany upcoming John Bellany exhibition
John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture – a major exhibition celebrating the life and art of one of Scotland’s most significant modern painters – opens on Saturday 31 May 2025.
The programme includes exclusive tours, talks and workshops with those closest to the artist. Booking for events is now open.
The exhibition will showcase over 80 works, including paintings, drawings, prints, and sketchbooks, spanning from the 1960s until 2013. This remarkable exhibition invites visitors into Bellany’s world through the lens of his own self-exploration.
John Bellany was one of the most prolific and fearless self-portraitists in art history, obsessively documenting his own image through a variety of mediums.
From his early student studies in the 1960s to the epic pictorial narratives of his later years, Bellany’s works reveal the artist’s complex relationship with himself, his identity, and the world around him.
Throughout his life, he explored self-portraiture not just as an artistic exercise but as a means of delving into personal and universal themes—often disguising himself as mythical figures or fantastical characters.
This exhibition will present a diverse collection of works, many of which have never been seen publicly before, and are on loan from public and private collections across the UK, including the artist’s own estate. The works span Bellany’s entire career, providing a vivid and evocative portrayal of his life as he saw it.
The exhibition is accompanied by a publication featuring a foreword by Helen Bellany and essays by curators Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat.
In addition to the exhibition, a rich programme of events has been developed to offer deeper insights into the artist’s work, his personal life, and his ongoing legacy.
Event Programme Highlights
Lectures:
Thursday 31 July, 2pm – 3pm: A Life-Long Friendship A reflection on the enduring friendship between John Bellany and Sandy Moffat. Sandy will discuss Bellany’s boyhood in Port Seton, their time together at Edinburgh College of Art, his turbulent London years and final years in Italy will all be explored.
Thursday 14 August, 2pm – 3pm: ‘I don’t borrow – I steal’: John Bellany and the Art of Visual Quotation Bill Hare will explore Bellany’s technique of incorporating visual references from European art history into his own distinctive style, creating rich, multi-layered works.
Thursday 21 August, 2pm – 3pm: Time Will Tell Reading from her critically acclaimed memoir, The Restless Wave, Helen Bellany will talk about her enduring relationship with John Bellany.
Wednesday 24 September, 2pm – 3pm: The Bellany Sketchbooks Helen Bellany will lead exclusive exploration of Bellany’s private sketchbooks, which reveal the raw, personal side of his creative process.
In Conversation: Thursday 10 July, 2pm: John Bellany: In Conversation with Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat Join the curators for a conversation about Bellany’s artistic journey, his impact on Scottish art, and the special connection they had with him.
Gallery Tours:
Monday 11 August, 2pm – 3pm: Gallery Tour with Curators Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat An intimate guided tour of the exhibition with the curators, offering expert insight into Bellany’s work and career.
Saturday 23 August, 2pm – 3pm: Gallery Tour with Curators Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat Another opportunity to experience the exhibition with the curators, who will discuss the life and art of John Bellany in detail.
Described Tours and BSL Tours:
Friday 15 August, 11am – 12pm: BSL Interpreted Tour of ‘John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture’ A British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted tour, offering a deeper understanding of Bellany’s artistic journey for the Deaf community.
Friday 15 August, 2pm – 3pm: Described Tour for the Visually Impaired of ‘John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture’ A guided tour specifically designed for visitors with visual impairments, offering detailed descriptions of the artworks on display.
Adult Creative Workshops:
Saturday 12 July, 10.30am – 3.30pm: Self-Portraiture in Ink and Watercolour A hands-on workshop exploring Bellany’s techniques, encouraging participants to create their own self-portraits using ink and watercolour.
Saturday 9 August, 10.30am – 3.30pm: From Sketchbook to Masterpiece A workshop that delves into the process behind Bellany’s iconic works, guiding participants through transforming initial sketches into finished art.
Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker said:“John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture offers not only an extraordinary exhibition of the artist’s work but also a comprehensive programme of events designed to enhance the visitor experience and provide new perspectives on Bellany’s life and legacy.
“It’s fantastic to have such personal insight into his life and works. Whether through lectures, gallery tours with curators, or hands-on creative workshops, these events offer something for every visitor to engage with Bellany’s art on a deeper level.”
The birth of rugby in Edinburgh: how the handling code captivated the city and led to the first international in 1871.
Edinburgh is right at the heart of rugby history, with the world’s first rugby international played at Raeburn Place in 1871, between Scotland and England.
Rugby was the dominant code of football for the city’s schools from the 1850s onwards and Andy Mitchell will detail the series of events that led to the carrying game gaining the upper hand, explaining why young men in Scotland’s capital played rugby football almost exclusively until association football finally made a breakthrough in the 1870s.
The pioneers created a legacy that remains with us today as rugby continues to be a thriving sport at school, club and international levels.
Andy Mitchell is a Scottish sports historian who runs a dedicated sports history website and has written several books including a Who’s Who of Scotland footballers and the story of the first international match.
He was brought up in Edinburgh and when he went to his first football match in 1970 – an Edinburgh derby, no less – he was immediately hooked on the game despite attending a rugby-playing school.
He was fortunate enough to have spent most of his career in the media working in football, as Head of Communications at the Scottish Football Association and as a freelance media officer for UEFA. Now retired, he lives in Portobello and is researching sports history as vigorously as ever.
Edinburgh is 900 Years Old!
In 1124 King David I introduced a new system of local government into Scotland by creating royal burghs as part of his efforts to reform the nation’s economic and political structures.
Edinburgh was one of his first royal burghs, along with Berwick, Dunfermline, Roxburgh and Stirling.
While there is no surviving founding Edinburgh charter, an 1127 Dunfermline Abbey royal charter refers to ‘my burgh of Edinburgh’. In 1128, Canongate Burgh was created for Holyrood Abbey.
After the Reformation, Edinburgh spent considerable effort acquiring the former abbey’s lands over the following 200 years. It acquired Canongate then created a new burgh for South Leith in 1636.
The burghs of Broughton, Calton and Portsburgh were also acquired and run by Edinburgh. This complex system of governance was abolished in 1856 when all burghs under the management of Edinburgh were merged into a single burgh.
In 1833, Portobello and Leith were made independent parliamentary burghs under the Burgh Reform Act. They ran their own affairs until amalgamated into an expanded Edinburgh in 1896 and 1920, respectively. 1975 saw the last expansion of the city’s boundaries, including Queensferry, which had been made a royal burgh in 1636.
Edinburgh has selected 2024 to mark the start of the 900th anniversary of our city, and to tell the story of Edinburgh’s journey through the centuries from the 12th century City of David right up to the 21st century, the City of Diversity.
Our talks at the City Art Centre will celebrate the 10 themes and will span a period of summer 2024 until August 2025.
Our new spring exhibition is ‘Nurture Through Nature with Children’s Books’ and explores the links between wellbeing and nature introduced to us through books from an early age.
Accompanied by a creative programme of events for everyone.
Join us on Spaceship Earth as Edinburgh Science Festival blasts off from 5 – 20 April
From the depths of sea trenches to the far reaches of outer space; from the beginnings of life in the womb to living forever; from the sound of galaxies to the minibeasts in your garden, the Festival welcomes everyone to explore the theme of Spaceship Earth and how we can all live like astronauts for the good of planet Earth.
Edinburgh Science Festival 2025 delivers a programme which is both down to earth and out of this world, showcasing the cutting-edge technology and science to help us all live ‘like an astronaut’ aboard Spaceship Earth and together create a more sustainable future.
All-star names this year include Professor Richard Dawkins, former NASA astronaut and oceanographer Dr Kathy Sullivan, and Edinburgh-born Director of Community Clothing and judge on the BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee Patrick Grant
DiscoveryLab at City Art Centre gives families five floors of hands-on science to get to grips with: the perfect family day out this Easter break.
Guaranteed sell-out every year, Science Nights Out are back with more creative ways to get everyone hands-on with science in a relaxed environment.
The Festival, renowned for its unique presentations of arts colliding with STEM, creating STEAM, delves deep into the worlds of speculative fiction, art exhibitions, sci-fi film screenings and music of the spheres
The Festival takes place all over Edinburgh with events, talks, workshops and exhibitions taking place at the National Museum of Scotland, Dynamic Earth, The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and Edinburgh Zoo.
This year’s Festival shows for children 5+ including a baking show that’s out of this world with The Great British Bake Off finalist Josh Smalley.
Edinburgh Science Festival is the first and still one of Europe’s biggest science festivals, taking place over the Easter holidays, between 5 and 20 April.
With the 2025 theme of Spaceship Earth, the Festival continues its years-long commitment to Programming for the Planet. It urges everyone to live like an astronaut, a battle to learn from the constraints of living on a space station where resources are impossibly constrained, and every gram of material and watt of energy is precious.
This year’s theme of Spaceship Earth draws on inspiration from science fiction and science fact, questioning how we might better live on Earth. As scientists begin to ponder the wonders of long-term space travel, the Festival invites visitors to enter the mind of an astronaut as a poignant reminder that resources on earth are finite and that we have the tools to utilise to create a sustainable future for us all.
Edinburgh Science Director and CEO, Hassun El-Zafar said: “It’s a great privilege to welcome guests and visitors, from near and far, to the 2025 Edinburgh Science Festival – my first as Director and CEO.
“For 35 years, Edinburgh Science has been fostering curiosity, discovery, and wonder, and this year continues that tradition. This Spring, we invite you to explore how we can collaborate to build a fairer, more regenerative world – one that preserves and nurtures our Spaceship Earth.
“Our Festival programme showcases an inspiring line-up of distinguished scientists, intrepid explorers, and visionary thinkers, including Richard Dawkins, NASA astronaut Kathy Sullivan, The Great British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant, and sustainability expert Mike Berners-Lee. This year also marks the launch of DiscoveryLab, our reimagined family experience at the City Art Centre.
“We hope this year’s festival will spark ideas, ignite passions, and encourage a collective sense of responsibility for the world we share. We are thrilled to share these experiences with you and look forward to the journey ahead aboard our fragile, beautiful vessel, Spaceship Earth.”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The Edinburgh Science Festival is an eagerly awaited event – sparking curiosity, showcasing innovation, and celebrating Scotland’s world-leading strengths in science and creativity.
“The Festival makes science accessible to all, while playing a vital role in inspiring young people, supporting STEM learning, and nurturing Scotland’s next generation of scientists.”
City of Edinburgh Council Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Val Walker said: “We are once again excited to support the Edinburgh International Science Festival, which transforms the city into a vibrant celebration of science and technology for all ages.
“Throughout the Festival, our City Art Centre will be a dynamic space filled with family-friendly events, offering five floors of hands-on science for children as young as three. Whether you’re making slime, becoming an animal conservationist, solving a crime scene mystery, or programming your own robot, there’s endless exploration to be had!
“Inspired by both science fiction and science fact, and with the theme Spaceship Earth the jam-packed programme has something for everyone and it’s the perfect way for families to enjoy the Easter holidays together.”
Edinburgh Science is a world expert in producing live science events and the 2025 Festival is the prime example of the power of bringing people together to explore the fascinating world of science, technology, engineering and maths and arts.
The Festival is pleased to continue the fantastic collaboration with the venues around the city, including National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, the Royal Botanic Gardens, The University of Edinburgh, and Dynamic Earth, each presenting a number of science events for children and adults. This year’s programme is spread across 30 venues and 40% of the offer is free to access.
2025 Highlights
DiscoveryLab, the Festival’s reimagined flagship experience at City Art Centre offers five floors of immersive workshops and activities for children between 3 and 12 years-old and their families to explore. From making your own slime, to becoming an animal conservationist, investigating a crime scene, or programming your own robot, DiscoveryLab is the most fun a family can have this Easter break! DiscoveryLab is supported by Cirrus Logic.
Edinburgh Medal (16 April) is a prestigious award founded by the City of Edinburgh Council in 1989. This year’s Medal’s recipient is Prof Johan Rockström, a scientist internationally recognised for his work on development of the Planetary Boundaries framework. Prof Rockström will be joining this year’s Festival with an address which examines Navigating Humanity’s Future on Earth. The award-winning professor was recognised in TIME100: Most Influential People, his TED talks have over seven million views, and his popular science books Big World, Small Planet, Breaking Boundaries, and The Human Quest encourage a shift toward more sustainable management of planetary resources.
Spaceship Earth, free at the National Museum of Scotland (5 – 20 April),is aninteractive exhibition explores the challenges of living on a planet with finite resources, through the lenses of science fiction and space exploration. Exploring the latest technological advances involving the burgeoning UK space industry, we look Earthwards to consider re-designing everyday life to run on less.
Starry Names
The award-winning author of The Selfish Gene, Prof Richard Dawkins introduces his latest groundbreaking book, The Genetic Book of the Dead (14 April).This is an unforgettable opportunity to hear from one of the world’s leading scientific figures and to unlock the door to evolutionary history, seen through wholly new eyes.
In Less with Patrick Grant (5 April), join Director of Community Clothing and BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee judge Patrick Grant in conversation with broadcaster and climate writer Lucy Siegle as they consider the crisis of consumption and quality in fashion.
In Above and Below: An Astronaut’s View of our Planet (5 April), hear firsthand from Dr Kathy Sullivan, both the first American woman to walk in space, and the first woman to visit the deepest spot in the oceans, about her unparalleled experiences as a NASA astronaut and oceanographer, as well as an advisor to Joe Biden.
Every day, Arup works to shape a better world. But, in a rapidly changing environment what does “better” truly mean? Join Dame Jo da Silva, Arup’s Global Director for Sustainable Development, as she explores how we can tackle these changes in Shaping A Better World (17 April).
Get ready to make some noise at an unmissable night of fun, facts and fabulous entertainment with FameLab UK: Scottish Finals (7 April), the ultimate evening of quick-fire science. Scotland’s best new voices in science, technology and engineering will each have just three minutes to convey a scientific concept to you and our expert panel of judges, before a winner is chosen to represent Scotland at the final of FameLab UK.
Climate Change
Scotland has set ambitious targets for achieving net zero carbon emissions, but with 80% of Scottish buildings currently reliant on fossil fuels, how can this be achieved? Join experts in sustainable heating Vital Energi and grassroots movement Clean Heat Edinburgh Forum for a myth-busting discussion at Clean Energy Communities (9 April). In A Climate of Truth (15 April), sustainability expert Mike Berners-Lee looks at the challenge of the climate emergency from new angles and reveals how the need for radically higher standards of honesty in our politics, media, and business is the single most critical point for those seeking change. Researchers from Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) will showcase our climate change work and together we’ll draw a vision of a thriving future, living with climate change In Decide Your Climate Future (14 April).
How do we ensure that later life is a healthy life? Join Professor of Elderly Care Gillian Mead, Patient and Public Involvement Coordinator Daria Ihnatenko, Senior Lecturer in Global Health Policy Dr Emily Adrion, artificial intelligence expert Prof Jacques Fleuriot and Immunologist Prof Neil Mabbott for an interactive session Who Wants to Live Forever? (7 April). Memory Lane: The perfectly Imperfect Ways We Remember (18 April), psychologists Ciara Greene and Gillian Murphy explore the cutting-edge science of human memory, the ethical implications of memory manipulation and the pitfalls of false recollections. Are sins really moral failings or are they simply important and useful functions that aid us? Join Professor of neurology Guy Leschzinefor Seven Deadly Sins (15 April) as he reveals the hidden science and humanity behind our so-called flaws and follies.
Soon it will be possible to diagnose health conditions such as Alzheimer’s years ahead of time – but would you want to know? A panel of experts put together by the University of St Andrews will come together for Alzheimer’s: To Test or Not to Test (9 April) to discuss the complex, ethical questions that society must face. In Transplanting Hope (10 April) renowned surgeons Prof Richard Smith and Isabel Quiroga share the extraordinary and world-changing story of a 25-year journey which led to the first UK human womb transplant in 2023.
Join women’s health expert and documentary maker Kate Muir in Demystifying the Menopause (13 April), a shame-free discussion fighting the myths and sharing the truth about the perimenopause. Known for her activism and approachable, practical advice, Kate was the Producer for Channel 4’s documentary Davina McCall’s Pill Revolution, investigating contraception chaos. Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine (27 April), at the National Museum of Scotland is a new, free exhibition at that presents the science behind the COVID-19 vaccine and explains the logistics behind its global roll-out. A curator tour with Sophie Goggins, Senior Curator of Biomedical Science, will also take place on the 9 April.
Mosquitoes might be the world’s most dangerous animal, but they are also a cool tool for encouraging an interest in biology. Dr Aidan O’Donnell and Dr Petra Schneider have been awarded the University of Edinburgh’s Tam Dalyell Prize for Excellence in Engaging the Public with Science in recognition of their work to help pupils experience being a scientist and improve teachers’ confidence with STEM. They will present the Tam Dalyell Prize Lecture on 6 April.
The worlds of STEM and arts combine in this year’s programme for a selection of genre-defying events. Hear exclusive first readings at Sci-Fi Futures (8 April), a creative collision of science fiction and science fact, bringing together Scottish writers Martin MacInnes, L R Lam and Eris Young, and Professor of Applied Space Technology and Scotland’s leading space expert Prof Malcolm Macdonald. This exciting collaboration between Edinburgh Science Festival and Edinburgh International Book Festival, commissioned three brand new writings envisioning a utopian future truly living within our means.
Theoretical physicist and industrial musician Prof Bob Coecke is here to open our minds and ears with Quantum Music (10 April). Bob illustrates how the coming quantum revolution can be used to compose new kinds of music and will “play his guitar on a quantum computer”. In The Sound of Galaxies (16 April), an interactive sound-forward session, you’ll listen to galaxy data and gain a deeper appreciation for the innovative ways scientists explore the Universe.
Can arid lands be spaces for new ecological world-making? Desert Future (11 April) is a film screening of Wanuri Kahiu’s Pumzi and discussion explores climate fiction, environmental humanities, history of science and Black/Africana studies.
The Edinburgh Conservation Film Festival (19 April) is a celebration of conservation stories from around the world that will inspire, engage, and inform you about some of the many projects helping to protect the world’s biodiversity.
Enjoy a series of unique and engaging nights out in the city this April with Science Nights Out. Awaken your inner detective at Who Dunit? (8 April) and experience a behind-the-scenes tour of the oldest medical library in Scotland while you delve into the ghastly and most extraordinary world of historic forensic science. Celebrate An Evening of Cosmic Exploration (4 April) at this intergalactic night out that’s just for adults! Choose from a programme of quick-fire talks, interactive experiences, or relax with a drink.
Join expert astronomers at Dynamic Earth’s Planetarium Lates: You are Here (10,11, and 12 April) on a journey and delve deeper into the Universe than ever before. There’s cause for optimism with Planetarium Lates: Don’t Panic! (17, 18 & 19 April) and you can enjoy your favourite science fiction films at Planetarium Lates: Earth from Above (10 – 19 April), including Gravity, Moon, Apollo 13, Star Trek IV, The Martian and Contact.
Brace yourself for an out-of-this-world collision of science and fact, as the doors of the National Museum of Scotland are thrown open for Spaceship Earth After Hours (11 April). At this adults-only event, immerse yourself in the Spaceship Earth exhibition, marvel at new works in a costume show from the Edinburgh College of Art, and ask what it’s really like living on the International Space Station when you meet Turkish Astronaut Alper Gezeravci.
Families
Families this year have plenty to explore at this year’s Festival, including with a special talk from NASA’s Dr Kathy Sullivan with Walk Like An Astronaut (5 April). Specially curated for younger science curious minds, this a family-friendly opportunity to ask an astronaut and eyeball an oceanographer.
At The Ornithopter (5 April), a pioneering step in human powered flight, a visionary creation set to change the course of human history… or maybe it’s just a complete disaster. A celebration of spectacular failure based on the myth of Icarus, this new work-in-progress is an intimate walk-through performance experience. At The Ultimate Bubble Show (5 April) Help Ray, International Bubbleologist (yes, that’s a real job!) and Guinness World Record Holder, on his quest to make… The ultimate bubble! This is chemistry as you’ve never seen it before!
At The Rocket Show (13 April) our backyard scientist discovers what it takes to build a rocket fit for space in this explosive family-friendly adventure. And at Incredible Inventions (6 April) discover how to design your own amazing inventions in this hilarious, interactive show with Blue Peter award-winner, writer and cartoonist Mike Barfield.
Beastlands with Jess French (12 April) will transport you to a magical world full of imaginative creatures with presenter of the BBC’s Minibeast Adventure with Jess and zoologist Jess French.
From hot cross buns to chocolate eggs, chemist and Great British Bake-Off finalist Josh Smalley explores the science behind our Easter treats in The Easter Baking Show (18 April). Josh also presents Mission Bake: From Bake Off to Blast Off (18 April) showcasing the wonders of space through the art of baking.
At the National Museum of Scotland learn how to use Scratch computer programming with a mini LEGO® rover at Code Your Own Mars Mission (11 April), or learn a new language not spoken anywhere in the world at Let’s Grow a Language! (14-17 April). Unleash your creativity at Your Robot Friend (15 April) by designing the robots you want for the future. Meanwhile Eye, Eye Doctor! (16 April) gives you the chance to be an optometrist and uncover the mysteries of how our eyes reflect our overall well-being. Or become an e-waste scavenger and make some amazing robotic musical instruments from upcycled electronic junk at E-Waste Scavengers (19 April).
Free Events for Kids:
At Discover Our Science with The University of Edinburgh (7-10 & 14-17 April) meet scientists and discover what they’re working on in the drop-in space and have a go at being a scientist. Activities will be different each week of the Festival.
Calling all child scientists –the Festival is conducting a survey that aims to understand how children and adults think about conservation and insects, with prizes offered to those who take part in Moral Minds (7-10 April).
There is lots more to enjoy for families across the city at Edinburgh Science Festival partner venues The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh Zoo and Dynamic Earth.
At the Botanic Gardens, highlights include hands-on workshops, Botanic Labs, talks on Plant Power, Botanics Lab, events using LEGO® bricks to explore how plants thrive, and explorations of the incredible Botanics’ Herbarium. More Royal Botanic Garden highlights here.
Families can have a wild day out at Edinburgh Zoo with animal experiences, natural resource workshops and conservation events aimed at all ages. More Edinburgh Zoo highlights here.
At world-class science centre and planetarium Dynamic Earth, families can meet microorganism, marine and sustainability scientists, explore a nature nursery trail, come face to face with some real creepy-crawlies and find their inner palaeontologists. More Dynamic Earth highlights here.
Around the City and beyond
You’ll find Science Festival events all over the city and in some of Scotland’s picturesque coastal towns. Let the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) experts lead you on a free and exciting journey, answering questions on the possibility of life on other planets and the technologies of the future with Family Day in Space (5 April).
Discover Edinburgh’s storied history of theoretical physics in Higgs Theoretical Physics Walking Tour (5,7,12,14 April), a tour which guides you through the nooks and crannies of beautiful Edinburgh, highlighting places associated with extraordinary physicists who have called the Scottish capital home.
At Edinburgh’s Veterinary History (9, 11, 12 April) veterinary Prof Andrew Gardiner and cairn terrier Annie treat you to a creaturely 2km walk exploring the history of veterinary education in Edinburgh and the links between human and veterinary medicine.
Perfect for all ages, dive into hands-on space-themed activities at Wonders of Space Family Festival (11 April) at Archerfield Walled Garden. Be sure to also embark on a captivating tour of the solar system along the Dirleton Solar Walk, stretching from Archerfield Walled Garden to Dirleton Village. Geologists from the Edinburgh Geological Society explore local beaches at Beach Explorers (15-18 April).
At Sustainable Skies (14-18 April), explore the future challenges faced by flight through fun, family activities with a guided tour of the Civil Aviation Hangar to find out more about the future of sustainable flight at the National Museum of Flight.
At DiscoveryLab within City Art Centre, sensory backpacks and ear defenders are available free of charge from the ticketing desk on the ground floor, and there will be a Quiet Space on the third floor where visitors can take a break from the excitement. Although particularly designed for those with autism or sensory needs, these resources are available to everyone.
As in previous years, the Festival presents a series of BSL-interpreted events.
Visit the Festival website for more information on accessibility.
The City Art Centre, dedicated to championing historic and contemporary Scottish visual arts and crafts, has announced an exciting range of exhibitions for 2025.
Additional details on each exhibition, along with a diverse public events programme, will be revealed later in the year.
Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945-2000 17 May – 12 October 2025 The post-war era was a period of seismic shifts – political and social, scientific and cultural. Emerging from the events of the Second World War, communities lived with the legacies of conflict while looking ahead to the future. Contemporary artists responded to these changing times, addressing both traditional and modern themes in their work as they pushed the boundaries of creativity. By the end of the century, the artistic landscape was entirely transformed.
Scheduled to complement John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture, this survey exhibition examines the wider context of post-war Scottish art. Charting the years between the late 1940s and late 1990s, it showcases evolving approaches to figurative and landscape subjects, the growth of abstraction and pop art, and the development of new media. Out of Chaos presents a range of artworks from the City Art Centre’s permanent collection, featuring key pieces by William Johnstone, Joan Eardley, Eduardo Paolozzi, Ian Hamilton Finlay, Elizabeth Blackadder and Maud Sulter.
John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture 31 May – 28 September 2025 John Bellany was one of the most significant Scottish painters of the modern era. A Life in Self-Portraiture brings together over 80 autobiographical drawings, paintings, prints and sketchbooks, spanning from the early 1960s until the artist’s death in 2013.
John Bellany was one of the most prolific self-portraitists in history, obsessively documenting his own image throughout his lifetime. This exhibition captures the wide range of works created across different mediums, from carefully observed student studies, to his epic pictorial narratives where he disguised himself in different roles and fantastical characters. The exhibition contains works on loan from public and private collections across the country, including the artist’s estate, many of which have never been seen publicly before.
An accompanying publication includes a foreword by Helen Bellany, plus an essay and interview from exhibition curators’ Bill Hare and Sandy Moffat. Moffat’s account charts his long-term friendship and collaboration with Bellany, from their time at art school up until the latter’s death.
John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture captures the span of an extraordinary life and career, told through the lens of the artist’s own eyes and the words of the people who knew him best.
Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture 13 September 2025 – May 2026 Portraiture is an age-old artform with a seemingly simple purpose: to record the likeness of a human subject. Yet the enduring appeal of portraiture lies in its complexity. Behind every portrait is a series of stories – interwoven narratives about the sitter, the artist, and the circumstances that brought them together.
Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture examines this genre in depth, with a selection of highlights from the City Art Centre’s permanent collection. Featuring examples of painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and photography, the exhibition spans almost 400 years of artistic production, from historic portraits by George Jamesone to contemporary works by Sekai Machache. Unmasked shares new research findings from the collection and reveals several recent acquisitions, on display for the first time.
Carla van de Puttelaar Facing the Law: Portraits Past & Present 8 November 2025 – 8 March 2026 Carla van de Puttelaar (b. 1967) is an internationally acclaimed Dutch photographer and art historian based in the Netherlands. She has always had a keen interest in portraiture and over the last two years she has been photographing women working in the Scottish legal profession.
Facing the Law: Portraits Past & Present will feature around 80 of these portraits, celebrating women in the law, from individuals at the outset of their careers to those pioneers who have paved the way for the next generation, such as the Right Honourable Lady Dorrian, who is the first female Lord Justice Clerk. Displayed alongside these photographs will be a small group of oil paintings from public and private collections, dated from the 17th and 18th centuries, a time when the law was an entirely male dominated occupation, by leading portraitists of the era including David Scougall, Allan Ramsay, and Henry Raeburn.
This exhibition explores Scottish portraiture in the legal profession, drawing parallels and contrasts between past and present.
Carla van de Puttelaar; Facing the Law: Portraits Past & Present is being sponsored by Burness Paull.
Michael Fullerton 22 November 2025 – 22 February 2026 This major exhibition by Glasgow-born artist Michael Fullerton will feature a new body of paintings, as well as a survey of screen-prints and works selected from the City Art Centre Collections.
Mona Yoo 2025 Artist in Residence
Edinburgh-based artist Mona Yoo has been invited to develop a long-term project throughout 2025. A period of research and on-site investigation into the history and architecture of the City Art Centre building will result in a series of interruptions and interventions, and culminate in an exhibition outcome in early 2026.
Councillor Val Walker, Edinburgh’s Convener of Culture and Communities said:“The City Art Centre is set for an extraordinary year ahead as we begin to reveal highlights from the 2025 programme.
“Since its opening in 1980, the Centre has always been more than just a gallery—it was created as a space for artists, craftspeople, and art lovers to gather. Now, 45 years on, the City Art Centre remains one of the most accessible and welcoming venues for art enthusiasts in the capital and is proud to house Edinburgh’s art collection, one of the finest in the country.
“2025 brings many exciting exhibitions, starting in the Spring with ‘Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945-2000’ and ‘John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture‘. This two-floor exhibition, featuring over 80 works, showcases Bellany’s impressive body of work, many pieces of which are being shown publicly for the first time, courtesy of public and private collections, including the artist’s estate.
“I’m also thrilled to welcome Mona Yoo as our new artist in residence. I’m sure Mona’s creativity and vision will bring some new energy and inspiration to our venue – and I’m excited to see the resulting exhibition early next year.
“Later in the year, we’ll delve deeper into the world of portraiture with ‘Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture’ and ‘Carla van de Puttelaar’s Facing the Law: Portraits Past & Present’. We’ll also host a major exhibition featuring new works by Michael Fullerton.
“With a mix of charged and free exhibitions throughout the year, 2025 promises to be an excellent opportunity for visitors to reconnect with beloved and favourite artists, and perhaps discover some exciting new ones.”
Visitors to the City Art Centre can now celebrate a key figure behind in the city’s art collection with the installation of a statue honouring Jean Fletcher Watson.
In the 1960s, Edinburgh resident Jean Fletcher Watson (1877-1974) established The Jean F. Watson Bequest, a significant financial contribution to the City of Edinburgh dedicated to building a collection of Scottish art. This bequest remains the city’s primary funding source for acquiring artworks.
Since then, the fund has been used not only to address historical gaps in the fine art collection but also supports the purchase of contemporary works.
To date over 1,000 artworks have been acquired through the Bequest, featuring notable pieces by renowned artists such as Allan Ramsay, John Lavery, J.D. Fergusson, Dorothy Johnstone, William Gillies, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Eduardo Paolozzi, Joan Eardley, John Bellany, Victoria Crowe, and Maud Sulter.
In the 1960s, to honour Watson’s vital contribution to the development of the collection, the city commissioned sculptor Eric Schilsky to create a portrait bust of her. Schilsky, who served as Head of the School of Sculpture at Edinburgh College of Art from 1945 to 1969, crafted this bronze bust, which is now permanently displayed as part of the City Art Centre’s collection.
Val Walker, Convener for Culture and Communities, said: “I am thrilled that the council approved the request from the Committee of the Jean F. Watson Bequest to provide a permanent showcase for this influential figure in our culture. Her contributions to the visual arts and culture in Edinburgh are invaluable and she should be celebrated.
“It’s remarkable that over 1,000 works have been acquired through this fund, tracing the evolution of visual arts in Scotland from the 17th century to today.
“The collection offers a rich overview for both current audiences and future generations, encompassing a diverse array of styles and mediums, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and installation art.
“Now whilst enjoying the collection visitors can also learn about Jean F Watson’s legacy.”
This winter the City Art Centre presents Through Line, a one floor group show, featuring work by nine artists.
Spanning an array of artistic mediums including ceramics, drawing, jewellery, painting, printmaking, poetry and textiles, the ‘through line’, or common visual thread, of this exhibition is the use and exploration of line in the artists’ diverse practices.
There are hand-drawn and painted lines, lines woven as threads and modelled in wire, and lines that are poetic. They take both geometric and organic forms. Some are bold, expressive lines, which excite and convey movement, others are more delicate and elicit a sense of calm.
There are lines that extend beyond flatness, projecting into our space. There are also implied lines, which we see in our mind’s eye or tell a narrative story. In some artworks line and background are fused, giving significance to the space in between.
A line can separate but also connect; it creates divisions and boundaries, but also generates space. For centuries, the line has been a critical tool for artists, and it remains one of the principal elements of abstraction. Flow I and Flow II by Michael Walton are abstract oil paintings, dealing with pure form.
These works are influenced by the ideas of the Bauhaus, Marcel Duchamp and Jorge Luis Borges. In each composition, green and blue lines have become entangled within a circular shape.
David Connearn’s practice is primarily based in procedural, non-figurative drawing, and deals with themes of experience and temporality. In the two ink studies, Coming Going (I) and Coming Going (II), Connearn has drawn a single line at the top of each page, which has then been retraced repeatedly underneath. Each line sets the new path for the following one, resulting in converging and diverging forms.
Meanwhile, Charles Poulsen’s expressive drawings are made in layers of pencil, wax and gouache on paper, in a square grid-like format. The drawings are abstract, contemplative works without narrative or direct observation, through which he communicates often intuitive ideas about the universe. Poulsen thinks of his drawing as akin to organic geometry.
Encouraged by botanical forms, Lara Scobie’s work also has an organic quality, the lines in her ceramics refuse an exact uniformity. Her pieces relay the spontaneous process of hand-to-paper drawing; responding to how the materials react with the marks. Fascinated by the relationship between form and surface, she allows them both to inform each other as her ceramics develop.
Over her 25-year career, Frances Priest has followed a line through ceramics and drawing, exploring spatial relationships, mark making, languages of ornament, and colour. Priest’s ceramic Cobalt/White Mesh explores her interest in the liminal point between two and three dimensions, while its surface patterns create movement across curved planes of clay.
The physical process of working in metal, such as drawing it by hand into fine lengths of wire, is hugely inspiring for Andrew Lamb. An ingot of gold becomes a thread of wire, a line that offers infinite creative possibilities. Lamb also references visual illusion and optical principles in his jewellery, to echo the perfection found in nature, tempered by the shifting patterns of how we see and perceive the world.
Rhona Taylor’s work is concerned with light and colour; line, pattern and repetition; as well as time, place, mapping and the navigation of space. Her site-specific mixed media installation, Against the Dying of the Light, responds to and physically interacts with the City Art Centre’s gallery space.
Also created specifically for the show, Susan Mowatt’s artwork, Tangle, which draws inspiration from a treasured keepsake and consists of a 33 metre, multicoloured woven line, presented in a tangle on a black wall. Mowatt’s recent works repurpose older ones, with the process of making becoming the most meaningful aspect.
Lastly, Ian Hamilton Finlay’s print suite, The Blue and Brown Poems, focuses on the look and sound of words. The words in the twelve poems have been removed from a standard verse structure and arranged into striking shapes, in which typography and font colours take on equal significance to literal meanings.
Through Line will be accompanied by an illustrated exhibition catalogue with a thoughtful essay by writer Greg Thomas. Alongside the exhibition, the City Art Centre will also offer an extensive events programme for all to enjoy.
City Art Centre Curator, Maeve Toal said: ‘”Through Line’ is the last in a series of four group exhibitions at the City Art Centre spotlighting contemporary art and craft practice in Scotland.
“It showcases artworks from our collection alongside works by artists who are not currently represented. Its focus is the beauty and versatility of the line – from the simplicity of a single stroke to intricate linear patterns – and the impact it can have on our visual experiences.”
Councillor Val Walker, Edinburgh’s Culture and Communities Convener, said: “I am delighted that ‘Through Line’ will be presented at the City Art Centre this winter, showcasing the works of nine exciting artists and an array of artistic mediums including ceramics, drawing, jewellery, painting, printmaking, poetry and textiles.
“There is also a fantastic events programme running alongside the exhibition where some of the artists will take visitors on exclusive tours or give talks on their practice.
“I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to visit our City Art Centre and explore and reflect on the variety of artwork created by the nine impressive artists whose work is being showcased in this exhibition.”
Over 30 different artists feature in the exhibition, including: Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Muirhead Bone, D.Y. Cameron, Victoria Crowe, Anupa Gardner, Jane Hyslop, Walter Geikie, Leena Nammari, Eduardo Paolozzi, Anne Redpath, Willie Rodger, Mabel Royds, Paul Sandby and William Wilson.
Printmaking is one of the most richly diverse areas of the visual arts. For centuries, artists have employed different printmaking techniques and processes to create a variety of effects – experimenting with line, tone, texture and colour. The results range from highly detailed topographical images to vibrant abstract compositions, and from atmospheric impressions to quirky characterisations. In Scotland, this has long been recognised and embraced, with Scottish printmakers offering valuable contributions to the discipline.
Inked Up: Printmaking in Scotland celebrates this versatile, ever evolving artform. The exhibition showcases examples of relief printing, intaglio printing, lithography and screenprinting, dating from the 18th century to present day.
Among the highlights are a unique woodcut print of Edinburgh Castle by Mabel Royds, an enormous linocut map of Midlothian by Jane Hyslop, and a vivid screenprint by Wilhemina Barns-Graham, produced when she was in her 80s.
Many of the artworks are new additions to the collection are on display at the City Art Centre for the very first time. These include compositions by Eduardo Paolozzi, Ian Fleming and James Munro, as well as a group of prints by Willie Rodger, donated in 2023 by the Willie Rodger Art Trust.
Culture and Communities Convener, Cllr Val Walker said: “It’s always such a delight to see a selection of works from the City Art Centre’s permanent collection of fine art being presented for residents and visitors alike to enjoy and connect with.
“The Inked Up: Printmaking in Scotland exhibition celebrates this versatile and ever evolving artform and is a fantastic opportunity to see over 30 different artist’s work. The extensive collection of work is a mix of existing and new additions to the collection, on display for the very first time.
“I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to visit our City Art Centre and explore and reflect on the variety of artwork and experience the diversity of printmaking in Scotland.”
Edinburgh City Art Centre Curator, Dr Helen Scott said:“Printmaking is such a dynamic artform – it covers an incredibly varied range of techniques and can be used by artists in so many different ways.
“There are minutely detailed landscape views by 18th century artists like Paul Sandby and Thomas Donaldson, and then there are the evocative etchings of Muirhead Bone and D.Y. Cameron in the early 20th century, with their deep contrasts of light and shadow.
“The exhibition includes pieces by post-war printmaking innovators such as Eduardo Paolozzi and Philip Reeves. And there’s also a good selection of recent works by contemporary printmakers like Leena Nammari, Bronwen Sleigh and Adrian Wiszniewski.
“I’m really looking forward to sharing this exhibition with visitors – revealing the creative scope of printmaking and unpicking some of the practical techniques behind the artworks.”
Admission to the exhibition is free (donations are of course most welcome to enable free access for all!) and opens on Saturday 14 September 2024 and continues until 1 June 2025.
Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF24) closed on Sunday, with record numbers of attendees and of participating artists.
For the 2024 programme, which marked 20 years of the festival, EAF invited audiences to join them in a moment to collectively pause and reflect upon the conditions under which we live, work, gather and resist with a festival hub at City Art Centre.
The programme, the biggest yet for EAF, spanned the work of more than 200 artists in more than 30 venues, across 55 projects and with over 130,000 visitors across all venues, including 21,000 visitors across the EAF commissioned programme.
Kim McAleese, EAF Festival Director, said: “We wanted to create a festival that felt rooted here in Edinburgh and connected to people local to the city but which was also balanced with a critical and nuanced global dialogue.
“We are delighted that audiences, collaborators and artists were so generous with their engagement, criticality and time for EAF24. At the core of our programme this year was over 200 artists who brought work to the city.
“Without them we would not be able to do what we do and we must continue to support those artists who share their ideas and knowledge with us year on year, especially in the face of devastating, life changing cuts to public funding such as those announced this week here in Scotland.”
The festival programme spanned from the city centre, with large scale works by Ghanaian artist El Antsui and flags by Rosie’s Disobedient Press visible for those in the city to see from the streets, to the glowing light of Prem Sahib’s nocturnal work at Bard, in Leith to the outer limits of the capital both East and West.
A festival within a festival took place at Jupiter Artland, with the theme of a ‘queer fete’ and Más Arte Más Acción (MAMA) were invited to present an artistic public intervention at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, in the form of a large table around a tree, to discuss the interconnections between humans and plants in times of rapid biodiversity loss and which now travels to COP30 in Brasil.
Performances peppered the EAF24 programme including the highly acclaimed opening performance by Mele Broomes and Prem Sahib’s Alleus, which took place in a stairwell of Castle Terrace Car Park.
Four of Scotland’s emerging artists showcased work that surmised their current concerns to critical acclaim in the City Art Centre, and recent and current socio-political history were explored in new ways at Women in Revolt! at the National Galleries of Scotland in a survey of feminist art that celebrates the women who challenged and changed the face of British culture which was reimagined for Edinburgh to include new Scottish women artists.
Lumo, the all-electric train operator, has announced its renewed partnership with Edinburgh Science Festival for this year’s theme: ‘Shaping the Future’.
Taking place over two weeks, from Saturday 30 March to Sunday 14 April 2024, thousands are expected to attend the series of interactive events, talks and workshops showcasing how science can create a more sustainable, accessible, and equal future.
This partnership with the UK’s largest science festival will see Lumo proudly sponsor one of six trails at the City Art Centre, focusing on Innovative Engineers. The trail will feature three distinct workshops – Little Sparks, Energy Makers, and Chain Reactor – tailored to inspire children to engage in problem-solving and explore technology and energy.
Lumo will also take on the role of Climate and Sustainability partner, sponsoring the festival’s year-long series ‘Climate Co-Labs’. This programme consists of round table meetings that bring together senior leaders across sectors to accelerate Scotland’s response to the climate emergency.
Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Lumo, said:“We’re proud of our reputation for innovation and sustainability as we strive to reduce emissions in the transport sector.
“It’s thanks to great engineers and scientists that we’re able to deliver our all-electric rail service and, in partnering with Edinburgh Science Festival, we hope to inspire the next generation of innovative engineers – and, of course, transport them into Edinburgh for the science festival in the most sustainable way possible!”
Hannah Schlesinger Brodie, Director of Development and Marketing at Edinburgh Science, said:“We’re thrilled to have Lumo support the Edinburgh Science Festival once again.
“The chemistry between Lumo and Edinburgh Science Festival is a perfect match and will help many people to experience the excitement of the festival in a sustainable way.”
This latest partnership by Lumo adds to the already strong local commitment made by the company. Lumo trains are maintained at Craigentinny on the outskirts of Edinburgh and offer a range of locally sourced products onboard including Edinburgh Gin and Walkers Shortbread as well as the iconic Irn Bru.
Lumo customers can travel comfortably between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh knowing they’ll save 96 per cent CO2 emissions compared to taking a domestic flight between the two cities. The average fare for a single journey from London to Edinburgh also proves a huge saving at just £46.70.
The Edinburgh Science Festival takes place over numerous venues and locations around Edinburgh, attracting thousands of visitors to the city.
Thanks to Lumo’s fast services connecting Edinburgh with Newcastle and London, it’s the ideal choice for those planning a fun-packed trip to the Scottish capital.
Five floors of hands-on science fun
City Art Centre tickets go on sale on Monday
Tickets for the Edinburgh Science Festival’s City Art Centre – the flagship family venue – are released on Monday
Edinburgh Science Festival celebrates 35th anniversary this year. City Art Centre is sponsored by Cirrus Logic.
City Art Centre (30 March – 14 April) – five floors of hands-on science extravaganza for children between 3 and 12 years old. From making your own scab or slime to becoming an animal conservationist, investigating a crime scene or programming your own robot, City Art Centre is the most fun a family can have this Easter break! Allow 4-5 hours for the visit. On sale from Monday 26 February.
