Tag: exhibitions

Collective re-opens

All of Collective’s indoor spaces have re-opened!

We’re excited to present new We’re excited to present new exhibition  Boredom>Mischief>Fantasy>Radicalism>Fantasy by Christian Newby in our City Dome (no booking required).

In the Hillside exhibition space, Satellites Programme participant Holly McLean’s film If you get the knees right the rest should follow re-opens (pre-book here).

All of our grounds, shop, takeaway coffee Kiosk, and restaurant The Lookout will also be open so make some plans and let us welcome you back to Calton Hill. Opening hours are 10am-4pm Thurs-Sun throughout May, and 10am-5pm Tues-Sun from 1 June.

Collective’s events programme also resumes this month.

Join us on Zoom, at 7pm on Thursday 20 May, for a screening and discussion with Holly McLean and Frances Stacey on Holly’s evolving series of filmed portraits of women.

On site we are hosting our next Collective PLAY event – Warp/Weft, 22-24 May. Tickets are free but limited and selling fast!

We’re really looking forward to fully opening our doors to visitors again.

Social distancing measures will be in place to keep you safe – if you have any concerns or questions about visiting Collective drop us a line at mail@collective-edinburgh.art

New exhibition to open at City Art Centre next week

Marine: Ian Hamilton Finlay
22 May – 3 October 2021
Free admission, pre-booking essential

Edinburgh’s City Art Centre presents Marine, a two-floor exhibition of artworks by Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925-2006).

Finlay was an internationally renowned Scottish artist and Britain’s most significant concrete poet of the 20th century. Opening on 22 May, this major exhibition focuses on the maritime theme in his work. It was a central element of Finlay’s art, and one to which he returned throughout his life.

Drawn from the artist’s estate and the City Art Centre’s collection, and including loans from the National Galleries of Scotland, Marine: Ian Hamilton Finlay showcases artworks from across several decades, ranging from stone, wood and neon sculptures to tapestry.

The show also features prints, postcards and booklets from Finlay’s Wild Hawthorn Press, capturing Finlay’s interest in nautical themes across a variety of media.

On show, alongside Marine: Ian Hamilton Finlay, will be photographs from the series Ian’s Fleet by Robin Gillanders, which the City Art Centre has recently acquired for its collection.

This sequence of seven black and white photographs capture a fleet of wooden model boats made by Finlay, floating on Lochan Eck, the pond at Little Sparta. Little Sparta is the garden at Stonypath, in the Pentland Hills, where Finlay lived and worked for 40 years and is now considered one of Scotland’s greatest 20th century artworks.

The show is accompanied by an exciting events programme and a catalogue with an insightful essay by Stephen Bann, CBE, Emeritus Professor of History of Art, and Senior Research Fellow at Bristol University.

Marine: Ian Hamilton Finlay has been co-curated with Pia Maria Simig, Executor of the Estate of Ian Hamilton Finlay, and is presented as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival 2021 and Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21.

To coincide with the City Art Centre’s exhibition, the Scottish Poetry Library presents a small display of works by Finlay, drawn from its archive. From Sea to City: Ian Hamilton Finlay runs from 25 May to 9 October 2021.

City Art Centre Curator Maeve Toal said: “The marine theme was an early source of inspiration for Finlay and continued to be a recurring influence throughout his life.

“Indeed, boats proved to be an inexhaustible subject. Taking its title from the earliest work in the exhibition, Marine (1968), this show brings together artworks which span Finlay’s entire artistic output, stretching from the 1960s through to the 2000s.”

Councillor Donald Wilson, Edinburgh’s Convener of Culture and Communities said: “We are delighted that the City Art Centre is able to showcase this extensive exhibition of works by Ian Hamilton Finlay.

“Finlay was one of the most versatile artists of his generation. With the assistance of collaborators, Finlay translated his ideas into artworks in a wide range of media. I am sure visitors will be inspired by this diverse body of work.

Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Edinburgh’s Vice Convener of Culture and Communities said: “We’re all very much looking forward to welcoming visitors back when we reopen this weekend and this is another fantastic exhibition to look forward to.

“Marine promises to be a fascinating exhibition and visitors can also enjoy the accompanying programme of events which includes special tours, family craft sessions and talks by Findlay’s collaborators.”

City Art Centre to reopen with new exhibition to mark 40th Anniversary

Edinburgh’s City Art Centre is to re-open its doors to the public on Saturday 12th September 2020 with a full range of new safety measures in place to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.

The gallery reopens with two new exhibitions, City Art Centre at 40: Highlights from the City’s Art Collection marking the City Art Centre’s 40th anniversary and Bright Shadows: Scottish Art in the 1920s.

Having first opened its doors on 15th August 1980, heralded as combining; ‘Scotland’s largest air-conditioned fine art exhibition space, with specialist environmental and security facilities … a must for the display of world masterpieces’ – the City Art Centre celebrated its 40th anniversary last month (15th August).

As the gallery doors reopen and to mark the anniversary, the City Art Centre is mounting a special ‘highlights’ exhibition, City Art Centre at 40: Highlights from the City’s art collection from the City’s collection of Scottish art.

Widely recognized as being one of the finest in the country, the City’s collection numbers over 5,000 artworks ranging from some of the earliest views of Edinburgh to works by many of Scotland’s leading contemporary artists. Visitors will be able to see artworks by major historical figures such as Allan Ramsay, the pioneer photographers Hill and Adamson, and the Scottish Colourists, as well as contemporaries such as John Byrne, Alison Watt and Adrian Wiszniewski.

Bright Shadows: Scottish Art in the 1920s a new exhibition exploring the work of Scottish artists during the 1920s – an evocative period of social, political and economic change also opens on the 12th September as visitors are welcomed back to the gallery as it reopens.

The forthcoming exhibitions mark the public re-opening of the venue on 12th September. In keeping with Government advice in order to protect and maintain the safety of our visitors and staff, the City Art Centre has introduced a range of new safety measures and procedures throughout the venue, including a one way system, installation of screens at reception, hand sanitiser stations, extra barriers and signage and staff will of course be wearing masks while offering visitors a very warm, socially distanced welcome.

Visitors are asked wear face coverings and to pre-book free tickets for allocated time slots in advance via edinburghmuseums.org.uk

City Art Centre at 40

Over the past 40 years the City Art Centre has housed over 500 exhibitions, shown priceless treasures from across the world to priceless paintings made by Edinburgh children and welcomed 100,000’s of visitors through its doors and is now a well-established, respected and cherished Scottish cultural resource.

Other activities marking the 40th anniversary in the coming weeks include; The City Art Centre is 40!, a curated a digital exhibition of much-loved and favourite paintings chosen by past members of staff, artists and people closely involved with the City Art Centre over the years presented via Art UK’s ‘Curations’ series.

Tessa Asquith-Lamb, one our best-loved local artists, has created two special videos with the City Art Centre’s Public Programmes section to celebrate the milestone, featuring the artist’s favourite painting, ‘Tristan and Isolde’ by John Duncan. Asquith-Lamb tells us why Tristan and Isolde is so special, and demonstrates a special art activity everyone can do at home while we are not able to visit the gallery in person. 

Having moved from its original home at The Royal High School on Regent Road to make way for the intended Scottish Assembly following Scottish Devolution, the City Art Centre found a new home in a purposefully refurbished five storey warehouse dating back to 1899 on Market Street, which was designed as an extension to The Scotsman building on North Bridge, having once housed the city’s fruit markets.

The building was selected not only because of its architectural significance but also for its wrought iron framed structure which made it suitable to carrying the heavy floor loads required to house large volumes of visitors.

As part of the significant renovation project, the building’s original stonework and metal frame windows were preserved, while the interior was repurposed to create four new gallery spaces, artist studios and a licenced café, designed to reflect the building’s late Victorian origins alongside minimal natural décor, complimented by a state of the art lighting system to protect the delicate works on show.

The City Art Centre was designed to be ‘more than just a gallery’, providing studio and meeting spaces for artists, ‘craftsmen’ and for the people of Edinburgh.

The City Art Centre first opened its doors on 15th August 1980 with two major exhibitions as part of the Edinburgh International Festival – The Legacy presenting historic and contemporary Canadian/Indian art from the Provincial Museum in British Columbia and an exhibition by the Prescote Gallery near Oxford, showing outstanding examples of British Craft.

Robert Blomfield: Edinburgh Street Photography An Unseen Archive Pictured Robert Blomfield, Girl on a Swing,Edinburgh, Black and White Photograph,1966.

Since that day, the City Art Centre has housed many hundreds of exhibitions and has continued to work with the city’s festivals; including The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, International Festival, Edinburgh Art Festival, The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival and Edinburgh Science Festival.

From blockbuster exhibitions in the 1980’s and 1990’s which many residents in the city will remember, including The Emperor’s Warriors (1985), Thunderbirds are Go! (1986), Gold of the Pharaohs (1988), Dinosaurs Alive! (1990) and Star Trek: The Exhibition (1995), to hugely significant international art shows including; Abstract Expressionist Paintings from MOMA New York (1981), Michelangelo Drawings (1994) and Alphonse Mucha (2000) as well as a huge array of solo shows from Scottish artists and craft makers, such as James Cowie (1981), Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1987), Peter Howson (2007) and Victoria Crowe (2019).

From 1985 onwards, the City Art Centre’s programming expanded to reflect many new threads and artistic disciplines, ranging from photography; Cecil Beaton (2004) Ansel Adams; Snowdon; Albert Watson (2006) and Coming into Fashion (2013) alongside major survey and group shows championing Scottish art and craft; Hand, Heart and Soul (2007), Window to the West: The Rediscovery of Highland Art (2011) and A-Z: An alphabetical Tour of Scottish Art (2014).

As the City Art Centre’s exhibition programme and audiences grew, remaining rooted in the city and its people was key, with exhibitions and works often reflecting Edinburgh’s history as well as local and global social issues such as; Anne Frank in the World (1987), Chernobyl – The Legacy (1993), Rainbow City (2006), Leith – The Turning Tide (1987), Edinburgh Re-discovered: Thomas Begbie (1990) and Robert Blomfield (2018).

The City Art Centre’s now well-established reputation as a key cultural Scottish institution is evidenced in its 40-year exhibitions history and audience loyalty. As well as an ambitious and ever-changing exhibitions programme, an additional vital aspect of the City Art Centre is its role in housing the City’s Collection of Scottish Art – one of the finest in Scotland.

The collection, which supported through donations, bequests and gifts as well as purchases, features works from many of ‘The Glasgow Boys’ as well as the Scottish Colourists – John Duncan Fergusson, Samuel Peploe, Francis Cadell and Leslie Hunter.

Some of the best-known artists of the Edinburgh School, including William Gillies, John Maxwell and Anne Redpath, all have several works in the collection, and featured post-war artists include Alan Davie, Eduardo Paolozzi, Elizabeth Blackadder and John Bellany. The contemporary collection includes artists such as Christine Borland, Callum Innes, Rosalind Nashashibi and Toby Paterson.

When the City Art Centre reopens and looks forward to the next 40 years, the continued focus will be to champion historic and contemporary Scottish visual art and craft.

The City’s art collection continues to grow, and going forward the curatorial team will actively seek to diversify the collection in the coming years to better reflect the range of artists and work being produced in Scotland today. Visitors will be able to see the fruit of this with a new exhibition of recent acquisitions next year.

David Patterson, Curatorial and Conservation Manager, City Art Centre said; “Since we opened in 1980, staff at the gallery have worked with artists who live in some of the most densely populated cities on the planet as well as others who live in some of the remotest places on earth.

“We’ve tackled global tragedies and local issues, and shown paintings, drawings, watercolours, sculpture, tapestry, photography, silver, glass, interior design, film and installations among many other media. We’ve displayed works made from ice, oil, wood, metal, matchsticks, coat hangers, parachute fabric, nylon, gold, even old welly boots!

“We are thrilled to be reopening on the 12th September, and fittingly with two exhibitions drawn from our Scottish art collection. In the months and years to come, we’ll continue to shine the spotlight on Scottish artists of the past who have been overlooked in the story of Scottish art as well as curate major displays by some of the country’s leading artists past and present.

“The topography and people of Edinburgh will remain a consistent strand in our programming, as will the display of the finest contemporary and historic applied art and craft. We’ll continue to work with our partners Edinburgh Science Festival to bring some of the best Science and Art to a family audience, and our wonderful collection will continue to be shown throughout the year in a series of temporary exhibitions.”

Herbert Coutts, City Art Centre Curator (1971-1999) said: “Having been in at the birth of the City Art Centre, I am immensely proud of the myriad exhibitions it has sourced from all parts of the globe, and from its own important fine art collection.

“This remarkable achievement has been due to the creativity, commitment and hard work of its staff, past and present, which I hope will continue long into the future.”

**Pics free to use** Pictured Curator Dr Helen Scott New exhibition places Edinburgh-born female artist back in the spotlight over 150 years after her birth Mary Cameron: Life in Paint Saturday 2 November 2019 – Sunday 15 March 2020 City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, Edinburgh EH1 1DE Free admission Images available to download here Opening this Saturday (2nd November) Edinburgh’s City Art Centre brings the Edinburgh-born artist Mary Cameron (1865-1921) back into the spotlight, displaying over forty rarely-seen artworks from public and private collections. Mary Cameron: Life in Paint explores the life and career of a woman who was truly ahead of her time, charting her creative journey from elegant family portraits to breath-taking Spanish scenes. Born in Portobello, Edinburgh, Cameron began her artistic career as a portraitist and genre painter in her native city, before venturing abroad to study in Paris. Foreign travel proved to be a life-long source of inspiration. In 1900 she visited Madrid for the first time, where she became captivated by the Spanish culture, people and scenery. Establishing studios in Madrid and Seville, she painted large-scale compositions of traditional peasant life, dramatic bullfights and rural landscapes. A thoroughly modern and adventurous woman, Cameron exhibited widely during her lifetime, with her talents being admired by contemporaries such as John Lavery and Alexander Roche. However, like so many female artists of her generation, her name is little-known today. This exhibition aims to change that, with examples of her impressive work complemented by historic photographs and archival material. The display is the first dedicated exhibition of Cameron’s paintings since her death in 1921. It is accompanied by the forthcoming illustrated catalogue Mary Cameron: Life in Paint, written by Helen E. Scott and published by Sansom & Co. Councillor Donald Wilson, Edinburgh’s Convener of Culture and Communities said: “I’m delighted that the City Art Centre is able to showcase this fantastic exhibition of the rarely seen works of Mary Cameron. It’s incredible to think this is the first exhibition dedicated to her since her passing in 1921. Life in Paint will take visitors through her creative journey from starting out in Portobello to international travel. Not only will it be an opportunity to celebrate her work, it is also a chance for people to learn about the artist herself and the important role she played in Scottish artworld history and the positive strides she made for women.” Curator Dr Helen Scott said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to showcase a female Scottish artist whose work will be new to most people. During Mary Cameron’s lifetime she was fairly well-known. She won prizes for her work, staged prestigious solo exhibitions in Edinburgh, London and Paris, and was well-respected by other artists, including prominent members of the Glasgow Boys. Today, however, her name is scarcely recognised, let alone celebrated. Most of Cameron’s surviving paintings are held in private collections, so there have been very few chances for audiences to view them since her death in 1921. In fact, many of the artworks that feature in the exhibition have not been seen in public for over a century – so it should be a real eye-opener. As a female painter practicing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Cameron faced many obstacles in pursuing her ambition to become a professional artist. Women of her generation had far fewer training opportunities than their male peers, and they often encountered discrimination when exhibiting, selling and promoting their art. They had to work doubly hard to succeed as artists and gain recognition. Even when they managed to establish themselves, their posthumous legacies were often eclipsed by the reputations of their more famous male counterparts. Over the years, many of these women have slipped into obscurity and been virtually forgotten. Now, however, the situation is beginning to change, with increasing numbers of historic female artists being brought to public attention. And there’s a very real, growing appetite among audiences to find out more about these pioneering women. Mary Cameron was one of those who helped to lay the foundations for greater gender equality in the Scottish art world, and I think it’s so important that we celebrate her contribution.” ENDS For more information, image and interview requests please contact Kate Bouchier-Hayes – kate@thecornershoppr.com / 07825 335 489 Images can be downloaded here Venue Details: Address: City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, Edinburgh EH1 1DE Telephone: 0131 529 3993 Website: edinburghmuseums.org.uk Twitter: @EdinCulture Facebook: Facebook.com/City.Art.Centre.CAC Instagram: instagram.com/museumsgalleriesedinburgh Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 10am – 5pm NOTES TO EDITORS City Art Centre The City Art Centre is one of Edinburgh’s main public art galleries. It is owned and managed by the City of Edinburgh Council. It is home to the City’s collection of historic and contemporary Scottish art, one of the best in the country. The gallery hosts a vibrant programme of exhibitions from its collection and by contemporary local, national and international artists and makers.

Ian O’Riordan, City Art Centre Curator (1984-2015) said; “I can’t be dispassionate about the City Art Centre. I started working there on Monday 5th November 1984, my 31st birthday, and stayed for 30 years!

“We put on the most fantastic exhibitions and built up the most brilliant collection of Scottish art. In retrospect, it all feels truly amazing – what we managed to do and how hard we all worked. People came and loved it and kept coming back. It remains a fabulous place, still with loads of potential. In these challenging times, Edinburgh is truly lucky to have it. Here’s to the next 40 years!”

Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener said: “Over the last 40 years our City Art Centre has hosted more than 500 exhibitions, housed works from across the globe and welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors.

“As we celebrate this milestone it’s a great opportunity to look back at our favourites over the years as well as look ahead to reopening our doors on September 12th.

“Our collection of Scottish art is one of the finest in the country and this special ‘highlights’ exhibition is a fantastic way to celebrate the past 40 years as well as welcome our community back. We wanted to mark this significant anniversary of a very special place and celebrate the city’s artistic collections in a safe way when we open our doors and gather together again.

“When it opened in 1980 the City Art Centre was designed to be more than a gallery, providing studio and meeting spaces for artists, craftspeople and art lovers. I’m very much looking forward to the exhibition and to welcoming visitors back when we reopen next week.”

City Art Centre at 40: Highlights from the City’s art collection runs from 12th September – 18th October 2020. 

Bright Shadows: Scottish Art in the 1920s runs from 12th September – 6th June 2021.

Free entry to both exhibitions, pre-booking essential via www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk.

From 12th September the City Art Centre is open daily from 10am -5pm (last admission 4:20pm)  

Thirty Years of The People’s Story

The People’s Story at 30: The Making of the Museum

Original publicity shot for opening of People's Story Museum. People gathered in costume

It’s been 30 years since The People’s Story Museum opened its doors for the first time, becoming one of the UK’s leading social history museums. Radical and ground breaking at the time, it was concerned with the lives and times of the ‘ordinary’ people of Edinburgh; the real people whose lives played out in this historical city.  Continue reading Thirty Years of The People’s Story

Fringe Programme launched: #MakeYourFringe

The Fringe sparked into life despite yesterday’s rain with the launch of the official 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme, featuring a diverse selection of work from the worlds of theatre, dance, circus, physical theatre, comedy, music, musicals and opera, cabaret and variety, children’s shows, spoken word, free shows, exhibitions and events. Continue reading Fringe Programme launched: #MakeYourFringe

Luminate Festival set to light up Edinburgh and Lothians

Following the growth of an ever-increasing programme of year-round work with and for older people – the Luminate Festival is back in 2019, hosting a wide range of events in different venues including theatres, cinemas, galleries, care homes and community centres throughout Scotland in May.  

Performances include dance, drama, visual arts, film, spoken word and community events to enhance and encourage us to celebrate creativity as we age.

The festival is jam packed with must-see events for all ages and Luminate are thrilled to be involved with inspiring work and events in Edinburgh and the Lothians.  

Dance and music have always played a major role in the Luminate Festival, and this year is no exception.  Our old friends 24 Carat Gold are back; aged from 60 to 85 they meet at Dance Base to share their talents and experiences and explore the ways that moods and emotions can be expressed in dance and to share the pleasure of dancing.

Join us for this special performance of their work Facets – an exploration of moods and emotions in dance on Friday 3 May, Dance Base, 16 Grassmarket, Edinburgh. Choreography by: Steinvor Palsson, Chris Stuart Wilson and Alan Greig. 0131 225 5525.

Also at Dance Base on Saturday 18 May, the beautiful studios will be open and PRIME, Scotland’s first semi-professional dance company for dancers over 60, invite you to join them for inspiring fun -PRIME TIME! – a gentle, enjoyable class designed for mature bodies, or you can join a mat class of easy Pilates exercises, followed by an informal gathering, to chat about how moving makes the ageing process progress with ease and joy.

Later, PRIME will perform from their repertoire, inviting special friends to join them. Outside the studio, there will be a silent auction throughout the day. Times vary and classes are free. Performance is £5. 0131 225 5525.

From Friday 10 May – Sunday 30 June everyone is welcome at Dance Base to view A Creative Century an exhibition of photos, testimonials and short films captures ten creative people – from a child under ten to a person in their 90s and celebrate the many ways we can be creative throughout our lives. Free and times vary. 0131 225 5525.

Rake out those old tap shoes and get a Spring in Your Step with Appalachian dance group Kick the Cat workshop. Learn some steps and take part in a fun social dance on Tuesday 14 May. Southside Community Centre, 117 Nicholson Street Edinburgh. 0131 665 4793/0131 229 3389.

R ye dancing? is a day of dance at Dalkeith Art Centre to celebrate dance available in Midlothian and give participants a chance to have a go and hopefully fall in love with the activity and continue to keep dancing on a regular basis. It’s fun and sessions include ballroom, circle dancing, line dancing and others, as well as having time for coffee, tea and a chat. Thursday 23 May Dalkeith Arts Centre, 2 White Hart Street, Dalkeith. 0131 561 6506. Booking essential and an entry only: participants may book as many sessions as they wish.

Bathgate Community Theatre is celebrating local talent of all ages with Bathgate: Generation Arts when young and old come together on Sunday 19 May to present a wonderfully uplifting and happy afternoon of performances when people of all ages will sing, dance and play for your enjoyment. Are you hiding your creative talent from the world? Many of the groups performing that afternoon are open to new members. Bookings 07521 358 239. Bathgate Regal Community Theatre, 23 North Bridge Street, Bathgate.

You cannot miss An Audience with … at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre a unique event presented by Janice Parker Projects in collaboration with Capitol Theatres on Saturday 18 and Saturday 25 May. This entertaining personal encounter with Doreen Leighton-Ward, Mare Duthie, June Don Parker and Betty Clarkson dancers from the Variety Era will light up your imagination as they regale you with stories, insights and memorabilia from their sparkling careers … a magical opportunity and there will certainly be dancing. Tickets 0131 529 6000.

On Thursday 9 May, Conductor Emmanuel Krivine brings French panache to the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, and we invite you to join us for a superb concert; the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s Season Finale Concert Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique and Faure Requiem gloriously delivered by the sublime SCO Chorus and the soothing baritone of Rudolf Rosen. Pre-concert at 6.30pm join storyteller Claire Hewitt and SCO Clarinet William Stafford to chat and conjure up the world of Berlioz. The concert begins at 7.30pm. Tickets 0131 228 1155.

Make sure you don’t miss a night out at Bellfield, Portobello, where The Professors of Logic, a five-piece band fronted by singer-songwriter Anna Durkacz will be performing Coming of the Third Age, comprising songs about growing older, a wry and humorous vignette of stories from life.

The genre might be described as Post-Menopausal-Post-Folk! Not for nothing has she been called “the Beryl Cooke of song-writing”. Saturday 11 May. 16B Bellfield Street, Portobello. 0131 281 2942 (venue) or 07882 866284 (producer).

Beyond Discovery, Creativity and Expression on Tuesday 28 May, join an afternoon of creativity, expression and discovery from members from the Edinburgh branch of University of the Third Age, in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University.

There’s loads to enjoy, performances from the U3A Ukulele and Blues Band, ballroom and line-dancing demonstrations as well as view a pop-up exhibition of art, photography and quilting and light refreshments- it is all about the joy of life-long learning, artistic expression and social connectivity. Edinburgh Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus, 219 Colinton Road, Edinburgh 0131 455 3214. Booking essential.

Luminate is delighted that Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceum Theatre is bringing a wide range of exciting theatre events to the festival. With The Royal Lyceum Backstage Tours on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 May get an insight into behind the scenes, get to walk on stage and find out more about this historical Victorian theatre and how it functions day to day. Or join in the Lyceum’s Over 60s acting course taster workshops and learn more about their work.

On Tuesday 7 May Insight into Harbour looks at the process of the group’s devised performance Harbour which is inspired by key themes in David Greig’s adaptation of Local Hero and on Wednesday May 11pm Insight into David Greig is an opportunity to practically  explore and learn about Greig’s motivation behind his play, Dunsinane and his work as Artistic Director of the Royal Lyceum. Booking essential for all events.  0131 248 4848.

With Harbour Inspired by David Greig’s adaptation of Local Hero, the Lyceum Original Sixty will explore the idea of community, love, communication in search of their own local hero at the Traverse Theatre on Thursday 16 May. Tickets 0131 228 1404.

Presented by Luminate and the Royal Lyceum on Sunday 26 May, Finn den Hertog is directing a rehearsed reading of Escaped Alone by the wonderful Caryl Churchill.  Between the two performances join in a Talk Show where invited guests will share their response to the themes of the play. Three old friends and a neighbour. A Summer afternoon in the backyard. Tea and catastrophe. Booking essential 0131 248 4848.

Have a final festival fling with The BIG Project: On Ageing at St. David’s Broomhouse Hall, Broomhouse Crescent, Edinburgh, where the BIG project youth and children’s charity presents a devised play with songs focused on young people’s attitudes towards ageing. Bookings 0131 622 7784.

Storytelling and the spoken word continue to grow in popularity and this festival at Dovecot Studios, Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, make time to join Celtic Queens with Jane Bee on Saturday 11 May for an evocative celebration of Celtic women; stories gathered together in response to Dovecot’s exhibition Orla Kiely A Life in Pattern. Bookings 0131 550 3660.  

At the Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh Elderwise Storytellers are hosting Gala Week Stories and Memories from Monday 13 -Thursday 16 May, every day will feature stories, songs, shared memories and reminiscences of special days with fun craft activity over tea and cakes. Booking 0131 556 9579.

Everyone has a story to tell and Write to Remember, a memoir writing workshop using object prompts to begin that empowering process of writing your own life story, led by writer Sarah Howells who is also a Library Advisor specialising in creative writing and writing workshops. Wednesday 29 May at Edinburgh Central Library and bookings can be made on 0131 242 8070.

Have a great fun day learning new languages, composing a song and painting. Languages Shaping Our Lives at The Town House, Haddington, on Saturday 18 May is part of Artpoint’s Languages of Art project to encourage younger and older people to increase their languages skills and an opportunity to discuss the history of the beautiful East Cast towns and also listen to Dr Tomas Bak on the importance of being bilingual. For information 07878 013 226.

On Saturday 4 and Saturday 25 May there another great family event in Haddington at Wee Red Upcycles, 9-12 Church Street Play Maps: Let’s play together! The first step, a talk about past and present places in and around Haddington close to your heart. Next step design and print every family a map of the town. More information 07878 013 226.

Every Friday in May join Newbattle Memories, Old and Young to indulge in memories of yesteryear in the stunning Newbattle Community Campus, run in conjunction with pupils of Newbattle High school; test your knowledge with brain-teasers, read poetry, enjoy a sing-song, try some digital skills and gentle exercise – all in the company of the lovely young people of Newbattle. For information call Newbattle Library 0131 561 6745.

In the beautiful surroundings of Cockenzie House and Gardens come and join Catching the Past with Room to Grow – A Celebration of The Garden on Sunday 12 May as they celebrate ‘the garden’.

Bring your memories to share and add to ours in The Willow Room, try your hand at making a bee ‘hotel’ or just join us on our walks in the gardens to hear the stories of the gardens, past, present and future. Cockenzie House & Gardens, 22 Edinburgh Road, Cockenzie. 01875 818684.

Everyone is interested in photography and film and at Stills Centre for Photography, 23 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh, you can get up to date with your digital camera every Monday in May with Creative Digital Photography, digital photography for the analogue generation.

Run in small groups, the course will be taught by a professional freelance photographer at a pace that suits everyone. Don’t worry over equipment, it can be provided if you don’t have your own. Booking essential 0131 622 6200. And there’s an added bonus as on Tuesday 7 May,  you are invited to join Tour and Tea with Stills Director Ben Harman for an informal tour of the current exhibition Ambit followed by tea in the library.

Ága is a captivating and enduring love story set in the Arctic, depicting a disappearing way of life, including superb cinematography of the dramatic snowy landscape. The film will be screened at Filmhouse, Lothian Road, Edinburgh on Sunday 12 May at 3.45pm. Tickets 0131 228 2688.

Always a treat to visit Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, and on Sunday 12 May The Big Brain Storm – Social Isolation is an immersive interactive art piece highlighting the negative impact of social isolation which includes a collaborative animation designed and voiced by older people.

Throughout the day Whiffle Pig is running an animation workshop for families of all ages giving everyone a chance to work together to find their voice. Booking essential. 0131 550 7800 or 07539 022 897 for event organisers.

Close by at the People’s Story Museum, 193 Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh on Thursday 16 May Art in the City – At the People’s Story provides an opportunity for people with dementia and their friends, family and carers to share a gallery visit and discuss art (and other things) in a friendly and supportive environment. Anyone not part of the core group is most welcome to join us for this trip down memory lane. Booking essential 0131 529 6365.

The much-loved Travelling Gallery will be visiting Inch Community Education Centre, 225 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh, on Tuesday 14 May for Exploring and creating visual stories with the Travelling Gallery, join them to discover poignant, visual stories exploring five artists’ responses to the global refugee crisis. After visiting the exhibition join an artist and create your own artwork or story. For advance information 0131 529 3949.

Make time for a visit to the Dementia-friendly sculpture workshops on Monday 13 – Thursday 16 May at the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art (Modern Two), 73 Belford Road, Edinburgh, for friendly and accessible workshops inspired by the exhibition “Andy Warhol and Eduardo Paolozzi | I want to be a machine”. Be enthused, enjoy exploring tactile materials and create your own piece of abstract sculpture. 0131 624 6560 booking is essential.

As part of the Unforgotten Forces Project Art Adventures in Nature, join with residents of the Erskine Care Home Edinburgh, 468 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh, on Sunday 26 May and enjoy a gentle journey in the home’s peaceful gardens for a showcase of work created in collaboration with Luminate and Erskine artists in residence Gill White and James Gill. Explore the Art Adventures Studio, experience the natural world and meet the artists. 0131 672 2558.

Allow time to chill out over a knit and a cuppa at North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court, Edinburgh, on Wednesday 15 May.  Knit & Natter extraordinaire will be sharing stories along with Eleanor Thom from the International Book Festival, who will create a story from the day, and they will also be knitting squares in shades of purple to create a comfort blanket or two as a donation to St Columba’s Hospice. Everyone is welcome 0131 315 2151.

On Monday 20 May join a creative feast inside the laboratory for The L.A.B. – Laboratory Art Binge @CRM. If you have ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of The University of Edinburgh MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine now is the time to find out. Enjoy two hours of drawing and exploring the laboratory with Artist Emily Fong, getting up close and personal with one of the most exciting medical research centres in the UK in a fun and friendly way. Booking is essential 0131 651 9500. Centre for Regenerative Medicine, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 5 Little France Drive Edinburgh.

An afternoon guaranteed to ‘fling us all into Spring’ on Monday 20 May at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh. Celebrate Victoria Day with Spring Fling – Dementia Friendly Tea Party for all the family bring the whole family and enjoy traditional music and dance with Mary Phelan School of Dance and Aonach Mòr featuring BBC Young Traditional Musician of The Year 2015, Claire Hastings (voice), Ron Jappy (fiddle) and Grant McFarlane (accordion). Booking essential 0131 529 6000.

ENCOUNTERS: A Dementia inclusive Art Book – Book Launch and Exhibition

The inclusive art book is designed to stimulate communication, spark the imagination and provide a focus for conversation and creativity and some of the original works of art featured in the book will be on show. Thursday 30 May 2pm – 5pm (exhibition opening with book launch) and Friday 31 May 10am – 1pm (exhibition concludes). Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 32-36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh 0131 555 7638.

The Festival also features an Outreach programme which takes creative activities to older people who may struggle to attend the public programme.  As part of this, the young musicians of Live Music Now Scotland will perform in care homes and day centres across the country.

The complete Luminate Festival brochure can be download at www.luminatescotland.org

@luminatescot #LuminateFestival19

The Wonders of Science: family days at The Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament is throwing open its doors to families during the Easter holidays, with a wide variety of activities for children of all ages to explore the world of science. Continue reading The Wonders of Science: family days at The Scottish Parliament

Rock’n’Roll the Dock in Leith

This Saturday at Ocean Terminal

 Marine Parade graffiti wall in Newhaven

Following the success of Rock the Dock, the launch event for the UK’s longest legal graffiti wall, artists from across Europe are set to return to Leith for a another community-led graffiti jam – this time with a skating twist.  Continue reading Rock’n’Roll the Dock in Leith