abbeyhill Colony of artists - since 2005
It all started with a leaflet!
by kat chisholm
The coa story
The Colony of Artists Festival was born in 2005, pioneered by local resident and artist, Gill Smith, who was inspired by the Pittenweem Arts Festival and the co-operative history of the Edinburgh Colonies. From these humble beginnings in 2005 where only nine artists exhibited, we are now in our 18th year with 81 artists taking part in COA23.
After a year out in 2007 the event looked like it wasn’t going to continue but the reins were picked up by Bill Mazur and Kat Chisholm in 2008 as they were determined to continue the co-operative spirit that has inspired the event. Throughout the years they have worked with a very long list of wonderful people who have helped along the way! It really has taken a community to build this event and we look forward to many more years sharing our homes and gardens with you.
2005
First Colony of Artists Exhibition organised by Gill Smith and Bob Giulianotti. Bob also designed our first brochure. 9 artists participated with an introduction written by Jo McSween.
2006
Organised by Gill Smith and Bob Giulianotti with our brochure design by Alastair Clark. A few more artists this year, with 12 artists participating.
2008
After a year off to reflect on the direction of the exhibition the 2008 exhibition was organised by William Mazur and Kat Chisholm. Once again Bob Giulianotti designed the brochure. In order to involve more of the community this was the first year that the Abbeyhill Primary School participated. A huge leap in artist participation as well - 24!
2009
2009 – Some new faces with the event being organised by Debbie Phillips, William Mazur and Kat Chisholm. Brochure design by Bob Giulianotti. 25 Artists participated with the Scotsman described the event as "the city's answer to South Bank". We had arrived!
2010
The event was beginning to get more attention through word of mouth and increased media attention. The 2010 exhibition was organised by William Mazur and Kat Chisholm. Brochure design by Michele D’Elia and Sean Ó Cathasaigh. 27 artists participated.
First year that the ever popular bunting was made for us by a local resident and put up by William Mazur for the event!
Our first national newspaper coverage with The Guardian writing a very lovely article and video about the event - link here
2011
Organised by William Mazur and Kat Chisholm. Brochure design by Michele D’Elia and Sean Ó Cathasaigh. 24 Artists participated.
2012
The 2012 event was organised by Denis Mallon, William Mazur and Kat Chisholm. Brochure design by Denis Mallon. 27 artists participated and it was the first year that local colony resident Aileen Paterson participated and gave a “Masie of Morningside” reading. Our Facebook page was also created allowing us to reach more people.
2013
Organised by Denis Mallon, William Mazur and Kat Chisholm. Brochure Design by Denis Mallon. 30 artists participated - our largest participation to date!
This was the first year that local businesses took part and the first year that we had window displays at Manna House Bakery and Cornelius Beer and Wine on Easter Road both designed by Lisa Mallon.
2014
Primarily organised by Kate Allberry, William Mazur and Kat Chisholm. Brochure Design by David Barrington. 28 artists participated.
We continued our business involvement with Kate Allberry designing tiny window bunting to involve more local shops. This has proved very popular and increased support of all the businesses in the area.
With the event becoming more popular it seemed a good idea to celebrate the history of the area and local resident Hilary Burwell curated the first local History exhibit attracting huge numbers.
We always enjoyed the support of James Wrobel, owner of Cornelius Beer and Wine on Easter Road, and with his help we had the first ever COA beer brewed and bottled by Stewart Brewing. A collectors item no doubt!!
The Abbeyhill Primary School continued it's arts program with the first ever artist-in-residence: Aileen Paterson, Maisie of Morningside author.
2015 - 10th year!
Organised by Nic Souter, Kat Chisholm, and William Mazur. Brochure Design: David Barrington. 41 Artists participated – our biggest exhibition to date!
Our theme for 2010 was to celebrate the people who came before us and made the Colonies what they are today. The local history exhibit was expanded, with Kat Chisholm beginning a local residents photo archive, and Hilary Burwell interviewed Jackie Sewell and Peter Shaw, two of the oldest residents in the Colonies and their interviews were available at the local history exhibit. The Singing Street, a film made by local teachers at Norton Park School in the 1950’s, was also screened for the first time. Lastly, Professor Richard Rodger a Colonies expert gave a lecture on the history of the area - we only wished we had filmed it!
2015 was also the first year we had The Hive Music Venue. With the support of Holland House Electrical Company we've been able to continue with The Hive each year since then.
And finally, in 2015 we formally constituted the Colony of Artists as we begun to look ahead at how we could continue to grow the event and we held the first COA Raffle to raise funds to keep the event going.
2016
Organised by Nic Souter, Kat Chisholm and William Mazur. Brochure Design: David Barrington. 57 artists participated.
Due to production issues at Stewarts Brewery COA Festival Ale teamed up with Campervan Brewery based in Leith to brew COA 2016 Ale. Paul Gibson, who runs the brewery, was instrumental in getting out beer out to more outlets and spreading the love!
2017
Organised by Kat Chisholm, Nic Souter, and William Mazur. Brochure Design: David Barrington. 55 Artists participated.
We expanded our offering at the Hive Stage with onsite beer sales direct from Campervan Brewery's vintage VW! With the Hive musical line-up entirely organised by Simon Illingworth from the Safari Lounge on Cadzow Place it was 2 days to remember! The Colonies had seen nothing like it!
2018
Organised by Kat Chisholm, William Mazur and Nic Souter. Brochure Design: David Barrington. 55 Artists participated.
We expanded our offering at the Hive Stage with onsite beer sales direct from Campervan Brewery's and food from Century General Store - both from vintage VW’s!