Older people from a City of Edinburgh Council day centre will be showing off their artistic talents at a special exhibition.

Nan Brodie, 102 years with her water colour painting

Service users at the Portlee Resource Centre in North Edinburgh have put together an exhibition which includes paintings, tapestries, knitting, shell craft and papier mâché.

Now after months of dedicated artistic graft the public will be able to see the results at McDonald Road Library over the next ten days.

The budding artists have been helped by local artist, Lynne Roberts, who goes in every morning to Portlee to help them with their work.

Among the many ‘artists in residence’ who have been brushing up on their painting skills is 102-year-old Nan Brodie. Her ‘Autumn Landscape’ watercolour will be part of the exhibition.

She said: “It’s really good coming to the centre as I’ve now discovered I love watercolour painting and I do it at home now. I am looking forward to seeing my painting in the library.”

Lynne Roberts said: “The service users really enjoy the sessions as there is a great social element to it as well as regaining lost skills. They benefit from being creative in a group and I know they’re really excited about their work being shown.”

Councillor Paul Edie, Health Leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Our day centres are always looking at new and interesting ways of making sure older people keep themselves active. These art sessions are a great way for them to socialise and learn new skills and I am sure their exhibition will prove extremely popular.”

Councillor Deidre Brock, Culture and Leisure Convener and member for Leith Walk, said: “McDonald Road Library is one of our busiest libraries and I know this exhibition will prove very popular. Congratulations to all those who took part.”

The library exhibition is on until 27 May.

+ posts