As part of our current interactive exhibition Whose Gallery Is It Anyway? we are hosting a series of panel conversations with invited expert speakers, to dwell more into the question raised with this project.
Join us four Thursdays between May and June at 6.30-8pm to discuss the role of open-access printmaking spaces; speculate on the future of culture in the historically industrial Fountainbridge area; consider how the relationship between curators, artists and audience is changing and forging new opportunities; what purpose do museums have today and what commitments can they make to their communities.
These events are ticketed and will take place in person at Castle Mills in our main Gallery, as well as online. The link to the event will be sent to attendees the day before each panel.
Thursday 30th May
What does it mean to be an open access printmaking space?
Invited Speakers:
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Claire Forsyth, Creative Director of Glasgow Print Studio
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Leena Nammari, Visual Artist and Printmaker
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Lesley Logue, Visual Artist and Lecturer, Leeds Arts University
Moderated by EP Head of Studio, Jordan McQuaid
Edinburgh Printmakers was founded in 1967 as one of the first open access printmaking studios in the UK. Since then, other similar studios have opened and flourished around Scotland and the world as collaborative hubs, accessible to artists working at all levels. Shared ownership and working towards common pursuit is inherent within printmaking. This event will reflect on the value of open access creative spaces impact wellbeing, promote social connectedness and respond to specific community needs.
[apologies due to technical difficulties we were not able to record this first talk]
Thursday 13th June
What does it mean to be a museum in Scotland in 2024? How should Edinburgh Printmakers approach making its collection available to the public and researchers as a new museum in Fountainbridge?
Invited Speakers:
- Nkem Okwechime, Visual Artist
- Friederike Voigt, Principal Curator, West, South and Southeast Asian collections
- Meg Dolan, EP Collection Development Manager
Moderated by EP Board Chair, Mungo Campbell
Museum Galleries Scotland approved Edinburgh Printmakers as a non-accredited museum in 2021, and supported the organisation with resilience fund funding which started our work and commitment towards applying for museums accreditation. We’ll discuss the role and purpose of museums today starting with the International Council of Museum’s definition: ‘A museum is a not-for-profit, permanent institution in the service of society that researches, collects, conserves, interprets and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage’. This event will discuss what you would like to see us develop in the future.
Thursday 20th June
Is the relationship between artist, curator and audience changing? What kinds of opportunities does this open up?
Invited Speakers:
- Christian Noelle Charles, Visual Artist
- Francis McKee, Writer and Curator
- Rae-Yen Song, Visual Artist
- Lucas Priest and Ezra Berinico from EMBASSY Gallery.
Moderated by EP Heritage Engagement Officer, Ilaria Casini
With Whose Gallery Is It Anyway?, Edinburgh Printmakers wants to investigate the role of the Curator within a public gallery, as mediator between the audience, artist and artwork. We want to open the debate to discuss changes in curatorial practice, where the artist becomes curator, or the audience becomes artist. We’re interested in the impact of these blurring of lines, the shifts of power dynamics, and swapping of roles to construct visual narratives and interpret them through curation as a social practice as well as a directed practice.
Thursday 27th June
How can Edinburgh Printmakers contribute to the exciting role of placemaking for Fountainbridge?
Invited Speakers:
- Malcolm Fraser, Partner Fraser Livingstone Architects
- Tessa Lynch, Visual Artist
- Susanne Mueller, Community Engagement Officer, Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust
Moderated by EP CEO, Janet Archer
We were supported by the City of Edinburgh Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Creative Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland and others to refurbish Castle Mills a listed heritage building representing the important industrial history of Fountainbridge. Having developed this beautiful space into an award-winning beacon cultural centre, we want to open the debate to discuss how we can play our part in nourishing our community, and promote social, cultural and economic wellbeing.
Castle Mills: Then & Now is a heritage project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project focuses on growing and diversifying community heritage activities to widen reach and engagement, working with people and communities to generate ideas for new activities.
