Outlook Celebrating Creativity at Mental Health Art Festival

From textiles to music, photography, painting and pottery Outlook Celebrating Creativity at The Living Memory Association in Ocean Terminal presents work from a range of workshops for people accessing mental health services in Edinburgh. Part of this year’s Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival and Edinburgh Council’s 35th Anniversary of their Outlook service the exhibition presents the real impact art can have on peoples’ lives and health.

I struggled not to shed a tear as a small group of participants sang a rousing rendition of Hey Jude around a grand piano in the exhibition space. The joy is palpable and the message clear. Just like the Beatles preached many years ago this service can ‘make it better’ for people. This is community arts done well. You can feel and see the effort and care that’s gone into the work and in presenting participants’ art in a really thoughtful way so that it shines.

Alongside striking dada style posters exploring ‘Human Rights, social movements and issues’ is information about the Outlook service and also how it provides a stepping stone to other opportunities in the community. It’s clear how vital this service is for many people and the space it has provided for inclusion and care.

Surrounded by photographs of local people and places and colourful textile artworks the slightly drab retail unit is transformed into a genuine place of celebration. A celebration of art, of people and of community and support.

Outlook Celebrating Creativity, Showing at The Living Memory Association, Ocean Terminal, till 20th October

Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival – Events across Scotland, 19th October till 8th Nov