We are delighted to announce that on Saturday, November 23rd, we will be hosting two free taster sessions for our new performance groups – 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 3 pm – at The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh.
With these sessions, we want to create a fun, safe and supportive enviroment for people to engage in interactive drama activities, where like-minded people can meet and feel comfortable to experiment and perform.
We are looking for individuals to participate and provide valuable market research and feedback. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just curious about drama, this is a fantastic opportunity to explore your creative side and help shape our future programs.
To register, email us at fablesstagecommunitytheatre@gmail.com or give us a direct message on Facebook and Instagram. Places are limited, so please book in advance.
We look forward to seeing you then and thank you so much for your help!
Exciting FREE open studios event returns to Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios
Featuring over 30 artists exhibiting fine art, illustrations, photography, ceramics, mosaics and fashion
Meet the makers, watch demonstrations and get the chance to win an original piece of art in a free raffle
Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios are delighted to be opening their doors to the public again this next month for another exciting Open Studios weekend (their first of the year) on Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd June from 12noon – 5pm. This exhibition will be first in the line-up of events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Out of the Blue.
Come along to see their creative spaces, meet the makers and browse a wide range of original artworks and gifts. Everything is handmade by local designers and makers here in the heart of Edinburgh.
With over 30 artists and makers taking part, there really is something for everyone, from fine art, paintings and illustration to ceramics, mosaics, textiles and photography.
There will be FREE art/craft/animation demonstrations and workshops taking place over the two days, plus a FREE raffle featuring exclusive prizes donated by Abbeymount Studios artists.
Artists include up-and-coming wildlife painter Kirsten Mirrey whose work for the past five years has focussed on both exotic and endangered wildlife in a highly realistic style will also be taking part of the two days. She’s also just completed her first successful solo exhibition at the Watson Gallery.
Robin Paine who exhibited at The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour’s winter exhibition, and was twice a finalist in London’s National Portrait Gallery Portrait Award will also be taking part. Her work is in National and International Collections and she has taught widely, with a specialty in drawing and painting from observation.
From ceramics, Frances Priest is represented in national collections including the National Museums of Scotland Edinburgh, the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge, the Victoria & Albert Museum London & the McManus Galleries Dundee. She has also been awarded The Wesley Barrell Craft Award and the Arts & Business Scotland Award. Helen Miles represents the world of mosaics. Trained in Greece, Helen designs and makes mosaics for interior and exterior spaces, using a variety of materials from unglazed ceramic tiles to Venetian glass and found objects.
Award-winning designer Judy R Clark is famed for her exquisite hand-tailored womenswear designs comprising of Harris Tweeds, Scottish lace and antique fabric. Judy was crowned Designer of Year at The Scottish Style Awards.
The poster for the Spring Open Studios Weekend was designed by resident printmaker Rosanna Reade. She mainly works with lino, and occasionally screen and risograph printing. She particularly enjoys the tools and processes of linocut, and the sculptural nature of relief printing.
Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studio Manager Bob Guilianotti says: “Out of the Blue Abbeymount biannual open studios showcases the work of all 48 resident artists in an iconic building which is an arts and crafts creative hub right in the centre of Edinburgh.”
Out of the Blue Chief Executive Rob Hoon says: “Out of the Blue is unique and resists classification. Our buildings are not simply artists’ studios, or ‘creative hubs’. Abbeymount Studios is one of our buildings which reflect a model that has developed and been sustained over 30 years, hosting a hybrid of arts, participatory education, enterprise, creativity, and community development.”
Details of the Spring Open Studios Weekend, as well as a list of participating artists and makers can be found on the Abbeymount Studios website.
Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trustis celebrating 30 years of life in Edinburgh.
Springing from nowhere (hence the name!) into a small gallery space in the centre of Edinburgh in 1994, Out of the Blue now enlivens and animates six buildings in Edinburgh, including the A-listed Out of the Blue Drill Hall in Leith and the iconic Bongo Club in the city centre.
Since 1994, over two million people have come through our doors to work, create, exhibit, perform, eat, drink, dance, teach and learn.
Our creative projects and valuable social initiatives benefit thousands of individuals, and many organisations and communities. Collectively, these ventures are making a significant contribution both to people’s quality of life and to the provision of opportunities in the creative industries for emerging and established artists.
Why commemorate the 30-year milestone?
We worked hard to give birth and sustain our vision (some would say against all odds). Our creative ventures, collaborations and achievements to date are worthy of attention.
We also want to express our gratitude to those individuals and organisations who played a significant role in ‘making it happen’.
How are we commemorating?
On the 30th May 2024 associates from the world of arts and crafts, politics, education and press will gather at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall to sample performance, music and visual art which is representative of our 30-year history.
Throughout the rest of our 30th year, we will showcase 30 events illustrative of a history of many collaborative partnerships.
Rob Hoon, Out of the Blue Chief Executive said: “Out of the Blue is unique and resists classification. Our buildings are not simply artists’ studios, or ‘creative hubs’. Our spaces reflect a model that has developed and been sustained over 30 years, hosting a hybrid of arts, participatory education, enterprise, creativity, and community development.
“There is cross-fertilisation between these areas which support individuals and collective initiatives. This in turn has economic, health and educational benefits for individuals and the local community.”
David Stevenson, Chair of Out of the Blue Board of Directors said: “In an increasingly challenging landscape for arts and cultural organisations, Out of the Blue is a 30 year-success story.
“A social enterprise, we have developed a sustainable business model with creative and cultural activity at its core. We are proud to be a part of the communities that make use of our spaces, and as we celebrate our anniversary we also celebrate the stories of every person who has passed through our doors to ‘do their thing ”
Ally Hill, Managing Director of The Bongo Club said:“The Bongo Club has been pushing the boundaries of the Edinburgh scene since 1996.
“Through the loyal support of the community (and the Council), it has now overcome threats to its existence on three occasions and its third incarnation occupies the cavernous, basement spaces below the Central Library, on Cowgate, since 2013.
The Bongo Club continues to welcome world-class, international talent.
“With a street-wise, level-headed attitude and an international reputation, the Bongo currently operates primarily as a nightclub, albeit one that also hosts regular live events suited to its low ceilings and underground feel.
“Many a rising star has played a live gig at the Bongo, with recent stand-outs including Self Esteem and Kae Tempest.”
Out of the Blue: 30 years as a Creative Development Organisation
Each Out of the Blue building has a creative purpose in its own right, but collectively they drive the growth of the Creative Industries in Edinburgh and Scotland by providing opportunities for employment, education and enterprise.
The buildings provide spaces for studios, workshops, classes, exhibitions, music practice, recording, performance, rehearsal, events, meetings, theatre, music, visual arts, architecture, designers, screen printers, social enterprises, jewellery makers, and more.
As a local organisation that sprung up from grassroot, Out of the Blue has made a significant impact on the city of Edinburgh and the communities we work in, as well as contributing to Scotland’s Creative Industry infrastructure.
Our mission to find and develop creative spaces, and to evolve as a sustained social enterprise with multiple branches, is something worth celebrating!
Throughout our 30-year history we have seen many success stories from those using our spaces to bring their creative vision to life; including
1994: Creating a DIY arts organisation and a gallery space in a shop space in Blackfriars Street, Old Town Edinburgh
1996: Move to New Street followed by the creation of the Bongo Club
2000: Initiating and awarding ‘Tap Water Awards’ as a cheeky response to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s Perrier Award
2003: The purchase and refurbishment of the (now A listed) Drill Hall in Leith – now filled with creative activity visited by over 100,000 people each year
2003- present: Providing studio space for artists and organisations that are some of the most successful and vibrant in the city. Out of the Blue accommodates over 200 artists in studios including 50 organisations/SMEs and designers, film companies, events companies, painters, theatre companies, photographers, ceramicists, textile workers, printmakers and musicians
2005: Initiated significant community based initiatives involving young people in a creative project to transform the local park. An outcome of those initiatives was the involvement of many participants in training and employment opportunities at the Out of the Blue Drill Cafe
2015 to present: Created Out of the Blueprint as a risograph print studio, based in the OOTB Drill Hall. RISO printing is a low-cost, eco-friendly print process, using only vegetable inks and 100% recycled paper, with a unique aesthetic.
2017 to present: Transformed Abbeymount Techbase into a centre of imagination and enterprise for 50 artists and hundreds of participants, as Abbeymount Studios for craft and design in the old school at the top of Easter Road.
In total Out of the Blue run:
– 5 public spaces for a combination of studios, performance, rehearsal, music, exhibition, projects, events, classes, workshops, markets, cafes and clubs.
– 4 enterprises; The Bongo Club, The Out of the Blue Drill Hall cafe, Out of the Blueprint and Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios for craft makers.
– The A listed Out of the Blue Drill Hall
A studio base for over 100 artists
An arts venue for local, national and international artists and others to create, teach, learn manage and perform visited by a total of 100,000 members of the public per annum
A Market venue for artists and local traders
The Drill Hall café, a resource for the local community and a training project for young people with 73,000 customers per annum
– The Bongo Club. Performance venue including live music, club, theatre, spoken word/poetry, film/video art, dance and comedy, practice and workshop facilities.
To find out more about Out of the Blue, please take a look at our dedicated webpage.
The Creative Carers programme returns to Out of the Blue this Autumn
Now in its second year, the Creative Carers programme of arts workshops supports over 40 people each year with a programme of free arts workshops
The programme is a collaboration between Out of the Blue and VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian)
This September sees the launch of the Creative Carers programme at Out of the Blue Drill Hall. First set up in 2022, Out of the Blue will be working with several resident arts organisations to deliver a series of free creative classes for unpaid carers. The classes will take place over two months this Autumn at Out of the Blue Drill Hall and Abbeymount Studios.
The project is being delivered in partnership with local charity VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian) to help reach unpaid carers.
According to VOCAL’s most recent carer survey, 79% report an impact on their mental wellbeing after beginning caring and 48% don’t believe they have a good balance between caring and other things in their life.
To help combat these challenges, the project aims to offer unpaid carers a number of creative and inspiring workshops that carers can enjoy to take time away from their caring role, try something new and connect with others.
The free creative workshops include aerial dance, pottery, dressmaking, jewellery, printmaking and drama. The workshops are open for beginners as well as those who have some prior experience. The workshops will take place at Out of the Blue Drill Hall at 32-36 Dalmeny St and at Abbeymount Studios at the top of Easter Road.
These are:
● Aerial skills with All or Nothing ● Pottery with Edinburgh Ceramics Workshop ● Jewellery with Precious Metals Workshop ● Dressmaking with Remode Collective ● Printmaking with Out of the Blueprint
The project has been funded through the Scottish Government’s Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund which aims to support community based initiatives that promote and develop good mental health and wellbeing within the adult population.
Feedback from 2022 suggests that carers enjoyed the chance to engage with other activities offered through the classes (which they would not have done otherwise) and enjoyed the social element.
Some also suggested that they didn’t have time to pursue their own hobbies so they valued the chance to be creative alongside others in a similar caring role.
Feedback from participants in 2022:
● “It helped to focus on the course for a couple of hours and put the everyday stresses to the back of my mind.” ● “Felt as if I could achieve something for myself and be creative for a change.” ● “Felt very positive and excited to be doing something so different.” ● “There was a level of companionship, not just the common situation of being carers but also a shared interest.”
Out of the Blue Project Manager, Johnny Gailey, says: “We’re absolutely delighted to be able to run the Creative Carers programme again this Autumn.
“The feedback from last year’s participants was really positive – carers really valued having time to themselves away from their caring responsibilities and the chance to be creative.
“There’s estimated to be over 80,000 unpaid carers in the Lothian area so hopefully individuals who find themselves in a caring role and who think they would benefit from the programme might find out about the free programme and get in touch to sign up.”
VOCAL’s Chief Executive, Rosemary McLoughlin said: “Many carers face barriers to taking a break from caring, which is why thinking creatively and offering flexible options to short breaks across the city is so important.
“Building on the success of last year’s programme, we hope this partnership with Out of the Blue will support carers to take a much-needed break and have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.”
The Creative Carers project takes place at the Drill Hall and Abbeymount Studios from early October. If you’re an unpaid carer and are interested in taking part please visit the VOCAL WeeBreaks website where you’ll be able to find out more.
An exhibition of original works by artists who experience complex and enduring mental health conditions
Out of the Blue, The Drill Hall, Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh EH6 8RG
Open to the public Tuesday 10th – Thursday 12th May 10am – 4.30pm; Friday 13th May 10am – 2pm
This exhibition, taking place in Mental Health Awareness Week, showcases a range of original works by 22 artists. The artists all experience complex and enduring mental health conditions, and many of them have never displayed their art in public before.
The works are created using a variety of mediums and encompass a mix of drawings, painting, sculpture, spoken word, textile, and photography. Many pieces are for sale, with all proceeds of sale going directly to the artists.
The exhibition is delivered in partnership by Carr Gomm, Volunteer Edinburgh, Penumbra and the Edinburgh Health & Social Care Partnership.
Funding for exhibition space is provided by Carr Gomm Futures.
An Edinburgh College graduate has opened the doors to a photography exhibition aimed at encouraging women who have overcome life-changing ordeals to find a safe space to tell their stories. Mhairi Bell-Moodie, who studied BA (Hons) Photography at the college’s Sighthill Campus, opened ‘Nevertheless, She Persisted’ at The Out of the Blue Drill Hall on Tuesday.Continue reading Edinburgh College Photography graduate encourages women to speak out in new exhibition
Leith Walk Studios are set to receive a £1,280,000 boost to provide develop the space into workplaces for new businesses and creative entrepreneurs. The grant will also see the re-development of the derelict buildings into a new street market initiative, energising Leith Walk and creating a draw for residents and visitors alike.Continue reading £1.28 million to develop Leith Walk hub
The Forest Fringe grew from a totally independent, not-for-profit space in the midst of the Edinburgh Festival …
Out of the Blue grew from a totally independent, not-for-profit space in the midst of Edinburgh – all year round …
Now Out of the Blue and the Forest Fringe are engaged in a merging of space, ideas and productions at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall as part of as an ever audacious programme of experimentation and adventure which makes exciting, improbable, spectacular things happen.
Out of the Blue’s contribution of home grown Leith talent is wide ranging.
Tales from the Hanging Captain
Sat 13th & Sun 14th August
An exuberant theatre production – made in Leith for the people of Leith – and beyond! Having previewed as part of this year’s Leith Festival the company regroup to get their stories out to the wider world.
As locals gather in the fictional Leith bar ‘The Hanging Captain’, auld Sandy takes the audience on a voyage through time and shares the stories of the Dockers involvement in the whaling industry, the ‘Darien Scheme’ and the strikes of 1913.
As Joyce Mcmillan has said: “if ever there was a town full of stories, that knew how to persevere in telling them, it’s the venerable, beautiful and unpredictable Port of Leith.”
And who better to perform the riveting stories than two of Out of the Blue’s all year round resident theatre companies, Active Inquiry and Strange Town.
Joyce McMillan said in her 2015 review of the companies’ “Persevere” production: “difficult not to be moved and shaken by the profound sense of place, time and continuity conjured up by this fine 24-strong community company” (June 2015)
Local people involved in the production also commented:
“It was a great experience to be part of a project which engaged with the history of our local area, whilst simultaneously engaging with the community that lives here now”
David Nicol is a long time participant at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall who is a poet and actor, musician and painter.
Chains on sink plugs is his first solo show.
Chains on sink plugs is a personal journey explore what it like being in a wheelchair from the 1970s to 21st century. What it’s like being on wheels instead of legs. And gives people a glimpse of a world many don’t know exists.
#artcore radio plays
DEAD ENDS
Fri 12th – Fri 19th August
“DEAD ENDS” is a new radio drama serial created for and performed by 18-25 year olds, which is launching as part of this year’s Forest Fringe based at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall. It features a realistic story about a group of young people who work in a fictitious historical/ghost tour company in Edinburgh. They are poorly trained, badly paid. Some of them care about their work and others do not . . .
The current series consists of eight episodes, released at midnight each day of the run.
To find out more, to listen to the latest episode, or to subscribe to the podcast via iTunes once it goes live on Friday 12th August, visit; www.deadendtours.co.uk
“DEAD ENDS” is produced by Strange Town for #artcore
The youth arts project, #artcore is based at Out of the Blue, and is one of nine youth arts hubs in Scotland, funded by Creative Scotland’s Time to Shine Fund
All performances are at the Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh, EH6 8RG
Performance dates and times
Forest Fringe: Thu 11th – Sat 20th Aug Tales from the Hanging Captain: Sat 13th & Sun 14th August, 1pm Chains on sink plugs: Thu 18 & Fri 19th August, 12pm #artcore radio plays DEAD ENDS: Fri 12th – Fri 19th August
