Great Edinburgh Map Project

Great Edinburgh Map Project 2021 

 A Room for Art project
The Edinburgh map project was conceived to run over the summer, as we took a 6 week break from our online visual art workshops. It was a way to encourage people to continue to be creative through a very difficult time and keep us connected with them. 

We cut a map of Edinburgh into 42 squares and posted them out along with a piece of 30cm x 30 cm canvas for each participant. Each artist has created an artwork on the canvas inspired by their map piece.  The processes, materials used and interpretation of the map pieces were completely up to the individual and the resulting collaborative artwork includes works by our participants, members of staff and project artists. 

The map artworks were made by individuals remotely in their own homes and stitched together later as a giant textile wall hanging. 

The Great Edinburgh Map Project was first shown from 7 – 9th December 21 at the Scottish Parliament as part of an exhibition by Art in Healthcare showcasing the work we do and to mark 30 years since the charity was formed in 1991. 

This project has had the benefit of giving our groups across Edinburgh a sense of working together over the summer, while we were still self-isolating. It has maintained connections and communication with participants and then has acted as a bridge as we transitioned back to in person workshops at the end of August. 

There was a lot of anxiety around starting back in person, with new procedures to consider and this project really gave us a focus. Although our workshops typically centre on the process of making art, experience has shown us over the years that having an outcome, such as a deadline, or making a finished piece for exhibition can really help with people’s confidence, self-esteem and sense of achievement.  
 

Some people got really into it and did more than one panel and in one person’s case it has sparked a whole sketchbook of ideas. Others found it more daunting, however there has been immense sense of pride from participants in seeing the work come together and feeling they can do it. 

To view the Map Artwork online please follow the link below

https://roomforart.org/great-edinburgh-map

Some quotes from participants: 

“Enjoyed seeing map pieces on e-mail just now and looking forward to seeing whole map when put together.” 
 

“Thanks for that – will keep me busy and from getting bored over next week!  Right away I can see Redford Barracks ( where my mother stayed for a bit when she volunteered during the second world war), Old Craig House looks interesting, Merchants of Edinburgh Golf Club (they helped us out when Derek first had his stroke), and the canal without thinking too deeply!  BRILLIANT will start research this afternoon and cut out a few practise maps.”