Open House: Leith Custom house festival
31.07.24
As part of Edinburgh 900 celebrations, Leith Custom House is throwing open its doors this August with a programme of free events
As part of Edinburgh 900 celebrations, Leith Custom House is throwing open its doors this August with a programme of free events. Leith residents and visitors alike are invited to join Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT), along with local artists and storytellers, for Open House: Leith Custom House Festival.
Citadel Arts will present their new site-specific play, Leith Customs, which draws on the experiences of former Custom Officials about working and living in Leith during the 1970s.
Leith Customs is a site-specific play based on the stories of a group of retired customs officials who worked in Leith Custom House. They recall the days when the impressive Georgian building was a functioning Custom House, one with its own rules and language, very formal but a place they recall with affection. Citadel shared the stories of former seaman David H Cameron, and retired customs officials Alison Moodie, Ross Summers, Ian Anderson and his wife Celia Mainland. They generously shared their stories of the Custom House with two members of the Citadel Playwrights Workshop who have created a script with an eye to authenticity.
The play will run: Thurs 8th August 3.30pm; Fri 9th Aug 2pm; Sat 10th Aug 3.30; followed by Q&A.
Free Tickets can be reserved from Liz Hare: lizhare@blueyonder.co.uk
In the Custom House Gallery, Women’s Art Collective, Artitude will be showing works from Sheena Berry, Barbara Moyes, Lorna Nisbet, Deb Ball, Gloria Lyn Henderson and Susie Redman.
ARTitude, an abbreviation for Women with Artitude, is a creative collective based in Edinburgh, with a history spanning approximately 5 years. The collective was initially formed to foster artistic growth and encouragement, and due to their diverse artistic backgrounds, they produce a unique array of styles and subjects.
The exhibition will run from 16th – 18th August, 10-4pm in the Gallery at Leith Custom House. Pop in via the wharf entrance.
Local artist John Finlay, whose exhibition Leith Observed explores Leith identity and social history through day-to-day scenes.
John’s artwork, recognised for its grand scale, often communicates impactful messages, a testament to his rich imagination and sharp observation. His paintings, while occasionally provocative, never shy away from addressing pressing issues such as climate change and societal matters. A defining characteristic of John’s work is the utilisation of shapes, texture, composition, and abstraction, consciously avoiding unnecessary decoration that could potentially dilute the underlying message.
All proceeds from the sale of his artwork will be donated to SHBT and will help fund the restoration and refurbishment of Leith’s historic Custom House.
His exhibition runs 22nd August – 6th September, open 10-4pm daily.
Visitors can take part in family-friendly art workshops to create a fantastical sea bird puppet from upcycled materials or use the maritime flag alphabet to design a unique flag with a secret coded message.
These are free workshops, but tickets must be booked through Eventbrite as spaces are limited.
Marvelous Sea Birds: Saturday 31st August, 10-2pm and 1-3pm
Ship Ahoy: Saturday 7th September, 10-2pm and 1-3pm
Storytelling with acclaimed storyteller and musician Marion Kenny
As darkness descends gather together in the atmospheric, historical surrounds of Custom House, for a relaxed evening of stories and music, whilst also enjoying a glass of wine from the bar and an opportunity to view the fabulous art exhibition.
Join acclaimed storyteller and musician Marion Kenny as she weaves together words and music with spellbinding, magical and mysterious tales of the sea.
Performance: Thursday 5th September. Doors open at 7pm, performance starts 7.30. A bar will be open available for refreshments.
In addition to the programme of free events, there will be an opportunity to view and comment on the plans for the future of Leith Custom House later in August. Since taking over management in 2015, SHBT has filled the building with artists and makers, creating a thriving creative community, as well as providing events and exhibition spaces on The Shore.
The next phase of the project will develop the proposals for the long-term future of the building, ambitiously regenerating one of Leith’s most important historic buildings into an accessible cultural space in the heart of its community.
The Gallery of Leith Custom House will be open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am to 4pm from 23rd August to 7th September for people to view the proposals for the building and chat to the SHBT team to find out more.
Scottish Historic Buildings Trust
Find out more about Scottish Historic Buildings Trust here
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