EDINBURGH.- Edinburgh College of Art will mark the start of the new term by taking over the shop fronts of local businesses throughout West Port and the Grassmarket.

Launching on Friday 25 September, Art Walk on West Port & the Grassmarket will feature work by over 30 artists exhibiting in shop windows of premises stretching all the way from the Western Bar on West Port to McDonald’s Frames on Candlemaker Row. Some of the larger premises, among them The Lot, Artrock Hostel and the Owl & Lion Gallery will host small exhibitions of artworks by College students.

An exhibition programme will be available from each participating business. The programme will include a map showing all the participating shop locations along with the name and contact information for the artist(s) on display.

The project follows the success of last year’s inaugural Art Walk on West Port – where artworks were displayed in the windows of businesses along the popular shopping street. This year the Art Walk doubles its territory, as the local community marks the start of the new academic term and the return of the student body.

The exhibition has been curated and organized by Lorna Pirrie, Year 4 Drawing and Painting, Edinburgh College of Art. Lorna’s goal is to bring artwork to the public in unique way, one which benefits both the students and the local community. It also provides a first glimpse of the freshest work being produced by current students and graduates of Edinburgh College of Art.

Talking about the success of last year’s Art Walk on West Port, local businesswoman Susan Mcmanus, owner of Lily West florist on West Port says: ‘The Art Walk generated a lot of interest. We had people coming in to the shop for the first time, intrigued by the art work in the window. The project is a great idea to promote the work of Edinburgh College of Art students and the area’s local shops and amenities.’