Pentlands artists to open their studios to the public as part of annual art trail 

AS PART of an annual art trail, artists in the Pentlands will open up their studios to the public for one weekend only. 

Pentlands Open Studios takes place across Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green and Colinton, with the trail following the Water of Leith. 

Attendees will be able to speak to artists, see their creative process, and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how their artwork comes to life. 

The trail is an artist-led initiative that celebrates creativity and community, and has been supported by a crowdfunder campaign 

Pentlands Open Studios is a collective of professional artists who have studios in the upper Water of Leith valley. 

Eighteen artists have been selected for the Pentlands Open Studios art trail (POST) this year, who are located in ten different venues. 

As well as their personal studios, the artists will also be showing work in spaces such as Colinton Village Enterprise, Hub@531, and Malleny Garden greenhouse, the use of which has been donated by Pentlands Open Studios. 

Featured artists include award-winning graphic designer and Edinburgh College of Art alumnus Ron Burnett, as well as doll-maker Jennie Loudon who makes “soft sculptures” which are designed to be displayed rather than played with. 

The public will also be able to see vibrant prints by Sheila Chapman, large-scale watercolours by Janet Dyer, and landscapes by award-winning painter Soosan Danesh. 

Tiphereth Print Studio is also participating, which is a group of people with and without additional support needs and autism who work together to develop their artistic skills in Colinton. 

The group works with screenprinting to create textile products such as bags as well as cards, prints, murals, and furnishings. 

Pentland’s Open Studios is produced by Pentlands Arts Festivals, which is a community interest company dedicated to supporting local artists and hosting talks and workshops within the area. 

The event is also in association with the Pentlands Book Festival, which takes place from November to December this year, focusing on Scotland-based authors. 

A map of the studios is available online, as the trail begins with Janet Dyer at Malleny Garden, moves through Currie where you can see Jenny Matthews, and ends on Redford Loan after travelling through Juniper Green where Sandra Vick and Jade Stout will be among others showcasing their work. 

POST takes place on 30 and 31 August and is free to attend. 

The organisers are currently looking for volunteers to help man the information centre in Spylaw Park and give out brochures, maps, and prize draw entry sheets. 

Visitors that follow the trail and collect a stamp at every studio can enter a draw to win some mystery prizes. 

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