Festive Spotlight for Edinburgh Designers

Nearly 80 independent designers will descend on National Galleries Scotland: National in Edinburgh this month for a showcase of creative talent.

Following the success of their August markets, Tea Green Events are returning to the beautiful venue on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November 2024 (10am to 5pm).

The Edinburgh event will be attended by almost 30 Edinburgh-based makers including a number of graduates of Edinburgh College of Art.

Free to enter, the event marks a fitting end to the Scottish company’s record-breaking year of markets to celebrate its 10th anniversary. 

Founder, Dundee jeweller Joanne MacFadyen commented, “There is nowhere more magical than Edinburgh at Christmas and we’re absolutely thrilled to be part of the city’s offering this year, a place to buy so many beautiful, locally made products.

“Whether you’re looking for a hand-knitted jumper, bag, ceramics, jewellery or illustrations, it’s all here and all made in Scotland, much in Edinburgh itself.  It’s extra special to be working within such a stunning and important location which adds so much to the experience we’re creating together.”

One of the designers preparing to showcase her work is award-winning French author and illustrator, Marie-Alice Harel of Maharel.

Based in Edinburgh, Marie-Alice designs and illustrates books for readers of all ages. Her work, mostly traditional (watercolour, pencils and ink) is regularly exhibited in galleries in the UK, the USA and France. She also teaches Book Illustration and makes artist books, ceramics and textile pieces when time allows.

Marie-Alice, who will be selling books, prints, stationery and greetings cards, said: “Art galleries are so needed, allowing people and artists like me to get close and personal with the original artworks under their roofs.

“The art that inspired me as an artist/illustrator is from the past, so museums and galleries are the way I can experience them in person. Each artist is at the end of a long line of creatives and makers, building on a heritage of skills, ideas and techniques that, purposefully or unconsciously, both nourish and push their practice further.

“There is, however, a wide divide in perception between today’s practitioners and the masters of yesterday. It’s good to see efforts to bridge that gap, with the National Galleries hosting Tea Green events and their beautiful selection of makers.

“Each creative person is at the end of one of these invisible lines, each at their own scale and in their own discipline, so it makes a lot of sense to welcome them under the same roof. You will be able to meet them this November, next to their respected predecessors (who are no doubt cheering them on silently from the museum’s walls). Some of today’s artists will grace those same walls someday.

“You might want to buy a print, a greeting card or some other carefully crafted item (a life’s work really) while they’re still alive.”

Marie-Alice’s work will beautifully complement the brand new exhibition on show at the galleries. Dürer to Van Dyck: Drawings from Chatsworth House is a spectacular group of some 50 Flemish, Dutch, Early Netherlandish, and German drawings and watercolours, spanning from about 1500 to 1700 and exhibited in Scotland for the first time.

Marie-Alice will be joined by fellow illustrator Susie Wright, who graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2003.

Susie, also based in Edinburgh, added, “I’ve been inspired by the artworks and spaces in the National Galleries since I was a student and made my very first screen print after a research trip drawing in and around the galleries.

“Edinburgh is also a continued source of inspiration, I love how the changing light throughout the year highlights different details and views as I walk around the city. The Tea Green markets have allowed me to meet like-minded makers and wonderfully supportive customers, which in turn has created a really lovely creative community.”

Isabella Miller, Director of Audience at National Galleries of Scotland said, ‘We are so delighted to welcome Tea Green’s winter market and all of the amazing independent designers to the National.

“We are thrilled that we can offer the beautiful surroundings of the National gallery to showcase the talents of these incredible creatives and support Scottish businesses. With the market on at the same time as our spectacular exhibition, Dürer to Van Dyck : Drawings from Chatsworth House, visitors will have the unique opportunity to discover historical drawings in the Royal Scottish Academy and then pop through to the National to explore the current works of the illustrators on offer at the event

“We hope this will offer something a little different for our visitors to enjoy and that people can browse the stalls then explore the art. There will be something for everyone to discover during a day out at the National.”

Before the year is out, Tea Green Events markets will also be held at V&A Dundee (Friday 29 November to Sunday 1 December),   Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow (Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December) and Bowhouse in Fife (Friday 13 to Sunday 15 December 2024).

For more information about Tea Green Markets and the programme of events, visit https://www.teagreen.co.uk/

Edinburgh Fringe Showcase for Local Creatives

Nearly 80 independent designers will descend on National Galleries Scotland: National in Edinburgh this weekend for a showcase of creative talent.

In what is their debut capital city event, Tea Green Events are holding their first ever market at the beautiful venue from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 August, returning with their festive market in November.

The markets’ arrival in Edinburgh is a fitting end to the Scottish company’s record-breaking run of summer markets to celebrate their 10th anniversary.    Markets have also been held at Aberdeen Art Gallery, The Burrell Collection and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, V&A Dundee and Bowhouse in Fife.

Specialising in carefully curated markets within some of Scotland’s most stunning creative spaces, Tea Green Events was launched by Dundee jeweller Joanne MacFadyen who is holding a record 20 markets across Scotland this year, driven by increased demand from independent makers and the public.

Joanne said, “Our arrival at the National in Edinburgh represents a huge milestone for Tea Green Events and is a fitting finale to end our biggest ever summer run of markets which have been absolutely amazing.

“It’s extra special to be working within such a prestigious space in a superb location, a prospect I know the artists and designers are just as excited by.

“Because of the huge number of tourists visiting Edinburgh at this time, it’s a real privilege to be showcasing the very best of Scottish craftsmanship, beautiful hand-crafted pieces of work made by some truly talented individuals.

“We’ll have everything from jewellery and prints to knitwear, letterpress stationery and ceramics, truly something for everyone!”

One of the designers preparing to set out her stall is Fiona McIntosh of Edinburgh-based Tessuti Scotland, who makes a range of hand-dyed and silk-screened accessories.

Fiona, who launched her business in 1985, said, “I’ve been involved with Tea Green right from the beginning and, although I used to exhibit in London, the Tea Green markets have replaced the need to do that. In fact, they have become my main platform for face-to-face selling.

“When you work alone, it’s always brilliant to get out there and meet new people. It also reminds you why you do what you do!  As well as positioning me in front of my target audience, they’re a great way to make new business connections and meet other creatives including local stockists who are looking for new lines to sell in their shops.”

Meanwhile, Jo Walker of Jo Walker Ceramics, who originally studied jewellery design at Edinburgh College of Art, added, “Tea Green markets have made a huge difference to the way craft is portrayed in Scotland.

“In the past, art and craft have been viewed as two distinct things, with art on a pedestal and craft seen as something you tinker away with at a kitchen table. The markets have boosted the status of craft and elevated it to a presence it deserves.

“People are starting to see how much goes into making things, how much skill is involved.”

Isabella Miller, Director of Audience at National Galleries of Scotland said, “We are so excited to welcome the Tea Green’s Summer Market and all of the amazing independent designers to the National.

“We are thrilled that we can offer the beautiful surroundings of the National gallery to showcase the talents of these incredible creatives and support Scottish businesses.

“We hope this will offer something a little different for our visitors to enjoy and that people will pop in to browse the stalls then explore the art. There will be something for everyone to discover during a day out at the National!”

For more information about Tea Green Markets and the programme of events, visit https://www.teagreen.co.uk/