What's On

Grain and Groove, Phoebe Rose Design and Studio Rosalind present OSTARA: an exploration of new beginnings, spring and nature’s cycle through the craft of woodwork, jewellery and brass art. 

Through their chosen crafts, these young artists have found themselves becoming more attentive to the natural world. Each piece they produce has taken into consideration the properties and sourcing of the material. It has given them an insight into nature’s cycles and rhythms, allowing them to remove the blanket of ignorance the modern world provides.   

They have enjoyed learning about the stories and symbols that people have long used to make sense of the changing seasons which is reflected in all of their pieces and they hope you also enjoy their work. 

Join this botanical embroidery class in the Garden and discover the soothing power of sewing in the sunshine. While embroidery is already a wonderfully relaxing craft, taking your needles and thread outdoors to a tranquil garden setting brings a whole new level of bliss to your creative practice.

You’ll spend your session in the Garden which is perfectly suited for contemplation and inspiration. The Glass Shelter overlooks the grounds and you’ll stay cosy and dry if the weather turns but, if the sun is shining, you can settle into one of the many seating areas nestled in nature. These workshops will be held across spring, summer and autumn allowing you to observe and stitch the changing seasons of the Garden as they happen.

During the workshop, you will:

• Master colour blending – learn how to use satin stitch and long and short stitch to create depth and realism.

• Paint with thread – use your needle to bring botanical details to life with vibrant textures.

• Explore the Garden – take the time to soak up your surroundings while you get hands-on with your project.

• Connect with others – enjoy a small, intimate group setting that's perfect for catching up with friends or meeting fellow makers.

Everything you need will be set up and waiting for you, so you can simply show up and switch off. You'll finish the session feeling refreshed and inspired, walking away with a beautiful handmade keepsake and the skills to continue your next creative obsession at home.

Spaces limited. Book your place here:

https://www.edinburghsewingclasses.uk/copy-of-botanical-embroidery

Four artists from Edinburgh and the Clyde Valley invite you to ‘Tarry A While’. This archaic and poetic phrase is a way of inviting someone to linger or wait in a relaxed, unhurried manner. Janette, Margaret, Duncan and Ronnie warmly invite you to tarry with them for a glimpse into their creative world of colour, line, shape and movement.

Janette Sumner is deeply influenced by the fleeting beauty of coastal tidelines. She takes a multi-layered mixed media approach to capture the transient nature of these shifting microhabitats.

Margaret Findlay finds profound beauty in the decay of abandoned cottages and farmsteads. Through an exploration of derelict spaces, she finds inspiration in the play of light streaming through gaping roofs and the structural echoes of a functional past.

Duncan Findlay uses a structured visual language of geometric shapes and bold primary colours, reflecting a desire to compartmentalise and organise experience into a vibrant, balanced, and intentional aesthetic.

Ronnie Cruwys is inspired by the lush, sensory environment of the Clyde Valley orchards. This physical connection is translated into observational sketches and studies that capture the movement and essence of the landscape.

> There will be an opportunity to meet all four artists on Saturday 16th May, from 3pm to 5pm. All welcome!

Chris Watkins is returning to the Garden for an exhibition of his very special pottery alongside artist and art educator, Siri France. 

Chris Watkins is an Edinburgh based potter, painter and Qigong teacher. Having studied art and architecture at Kingston College of Art and later Edinburgh College of Art and Architecture, Chris started his first pottery in Scotland in 1970. He is a member of the Scottish Potters Association and has pieces in galleries and exhibitions throughout Scotland.

Siri France’s work is mainly in painting and drawing and combines careful observation with expressive use of materials. She has a BA in fine art from Newcastle Polytechnic and the school of the Art Institute of Chicago. She also has a post graduate diploma in art therapy from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. As well as work in and out of the studio, Siri has 20 years’ experience teaching art both privately and with local art schools, Birchwood art studio and Edinburgh Drawing School.

Join Wilma Patrizio and her colleague Emma, of Sound Bath Edinburgh, for an afternoon of relaxation, reflection and connection. This informal journey will begin with Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing) when you will connect deeply with the essence of the Garden using all of your senses. You will use Pranayama breathing techniques to awaken, ground and relax both body and mind, and end with a beautiful sound bath to ground and balance your energy.

There will be time to connect, reflect, share or journal with herbal tea and homemade cake and you will receive a gift bag to take home to continue your selfcare journey.

Click on the QR code for full details or contact Wilma for more information on 07984 146164 or by email.

A painting and photography exhibition with four artists.

Damian Callan is a figurative painter based in Edinburgh. His subject is the moving figure, drawn and painted in strong tonal contrasts. 

He runs drawing and painting classes for adults and art classes for children from his studio at Silvan House, opposite Edinburgh Zoo. He is the author of two books, Paint Like Degas and Paint Like Renoir, and his work has been widely exhibited across the UK. 

Eiko Yamashita is a printmaker and painter based in Edinburgh. She graduated with MA Fine Art from Wimbledon College of Arts in 2002 and moved to Scotland the following year. She is a member of Edinburgh Printmakers and Society of Scottish Artists.

Her recent works are about nature and nature worship, inspired by Hokusai and other 18-19th century Japanese artists who depicted hills, lakes and woods as objects of worship. These ideas are from Japanese Shinto, animism which deeply influenced Japanese culture and philosophy. Another theme is gravity. She has been creating prints and paintings of the human body in air and water, symbolizing the conflicted feelings of restraint & stability, freedom & uncertainty, anxiety & healing.

Komachi Goto’s artistic work focuses mainly on painting and drawing subjects that capture her curiosity. She often explores the hidden stories, histories, and emotional backgrounds behind the people or scenes she depicts. Her art reflects a strong interest in narrative and the unseen context surrounding everyday life.

Patrick Poon takes a daily walk with his camera in Edinburgh’s green spaces, coastline and beyond. He is sometimes lucky enough to find the extraordinary in the everyday. Patrick delights in collecting and sharing these serendipitous images, hoping they convey the quiet wonder felt when he captured them.