Shop windows open doors for the city's young artists

Published on Saturday 19 September 2009 11:09

SHOPKEEPERS are always trying to create eye-catching window displays to entice customers in.

Now dozens of shops are turning their windows into miniature art galleries, as part of an unusual street exhibition.

The Edinburgh College of Art has teamed up with businesses in the Grassmarket and West Port to display work by their students. More than 30 artists will be showing work in around 45 premises from Friday.

Organiser Lorna Pirrie, a fourth-year student who lives in the area, came up with the idea as a way of getting more involved in the local community.

After a trial run with a few shops in West Port last year she has now expanded it to include the Grassmarket, Victoria Street and Lady Lawson Street. There will also be larger exhibitions of students' work in the Lot, the Owl & Lion Gallery and the former Salvation Army Women's Hostel, now transformed into the Artrock Hostel.

She has tried to match artworks to the type of business. Lily West florist will feature pictures of lilies and plants from the Botanics, while Hawick Cashmere will display Emma Boyd's paintings of dresses.

The Western Bar, a strip club, is also joining in, displaying Laura Byrne's transgender images on light boxes in the window.

The artwork includes paintings, photographs and prints, as well as Jen Nelson's intricate textiles, on show in the Grassmarket Embroidery Shop. Many of the shops are arranging their window displays to complement the works of art.

Ms Pirrie said: "I've paired up artists whose work would go with each shop, either in terms of colour or subject matter.

"Hopefully people will take a walk through the streets and see what's on display.

"My whole philosophy has been that we usually walk down the street and are bombarded by things like adverts and shop signs. I thought it would be nice to bring some artwork to the public for a change. They don't have to go to a gallery to look at it.

"It's great for the students as their work can be seen by a wider audience. It's also a nice way of getting involved in the community. Everyone has been very enthusiastic about it."

Most of the work is for sale, giving people a chance to pick up work by promising artists at relatively low prices.

Ms Pirrie has also organised a display at the Lot looking at the Grassmarket in the past and present. She scoured newspaper archives to find old photographs, as well as taking many during the summer festival season.

Susan McManus, owner of Lily West, said she was delighted to be taking part and hoped it would bring more visitors to the area.

She said: "It's a great idea to promote the work of art students and the area's local amenities."