LeithLate lightens up autumn with launch of virtual mural tour around historic port

Arts charity LeithLate has launched a virtual tour map which showcases eye-catching murals it has commissioned throughout the port area, art studios and local artists and creators.

This interactive digital map has been created in collaboration with the Culture & Community Mapping Project, with funding from Data Driven Innovation and Edinburgh Futures Institute at the University of Edinburgh.

The Chalk/Grimes mural

Users can click and explore the map, revealing entertaining and informative audio histories of the sites from Cameron Foster and many of the original artists, plus video tours of studios from the artists who currently collaborate with LeithLate.

LeithLate Virtual Tours will continue to grow as more murals, studios and voices are added into this virtual tapestry mapping Murals and Studios in Leith.

Other events are planned from 25 September to 4 October under the banner of Leith 100: Light Up Leith History Mural.

The Tim Chalk and Paul Grimes mural was created in 1986 on the corner of Ferry Road and North Junction Street and charts Leith’s rich and varied social history.

The mural will be given a new lease of life by Double-Take Projections who have artistically re-imagined the mural through light projections using the artists' original artworks, adding beautiful animations and a bespoke soundscape. The free outdoor event runs 8-10pm each night but time slots must be booked.

The event has been made in collaboration with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Curating Conversations across the Arts research project, with funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

LeithLate is also teaming up with Empty Kitchens Full Hearts (EKFH), who provide meals on a daily basis to over 500 individuals facing food insecurity.

Each night of this event, (7.309pm) EKFH are opening up their kitchen to the public, serving their high-quality meals next door in the outdoor collonade at Leith Theatre. Funds raised with help continue their vital work in the community.

On 27 September and 4 October, Cameron Foster, who started Leith Mural Tours, will conduct possibly his final in-person tour of the murals, with the tour priced on a pay-what-you-can scale.

The closing event on 4 October

Photos from previous LeithLate by Chris Scott

is a discussion evening on the theme of “Into the Future with a Strong Community”, dinner and celebration. Tickets will be released in September.

LeithLate have able to support 18 creatives during this difficult time by commissioning videos and audio from mural artists inclduding Tim Chalk, Kirsty Whiten, Rabiya Choudhry, Richie Cumming and Fraser Gray.

Studio artists who have been supported include

Louise Smurthwaite and

Jessica Kirkpatrick, Khadea Kuchenmeister, Megan Chapman and Mairi Brown, Juli BolañosDurman, Jacqueline Bell and James Donald, Sharon Quigley and Bridgid Collins, Helen Miles and Judy Clark.

Morvern Cunningham, LeithLate founder and trustee, said: “We

are thrilled to be able to return this autumn with further events both online and in person in this unprecedented year for both ourselves and our communities.

"We were particularly delighted to be able to support 18 artists during lockdown thanks to the Virtual Tours, at a time when grassroots support of creatives is needed more than ever."

Light-Up Leith History Mural (Free) - North Junction Street, Friday 25 Sept - Sunday 4 Oct 8pm-10pm.

Mural Tours (Pay what you can, £0-£4) Sunday 27 Sept & Sunday 4 Oct. Into the Future with Food (Ticketed TBC), The Pitt, Sunday 4 Oct.

LeithLate Virtual Tours www. leithlate.co.uk/virtualtours