Kate MacKay

University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh College of Art 1999-2004

MA Fine Art Drawing and Painting

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Founded Alchemy Arts 2004 devising creative projects and initiatives engaging diverse audiences in the arts and bringing permanent art into the community.    

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My practice fuses; drawing and painting, community collaboration, illustration and narrative, nature and upcycling.  These elements take turns at being in the foreground, but all are present throughout my work.  I approach each project as a journey of development and am excited to find new ways to connect with others creatively.

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Recent Projects:

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Moray Polaris - 2020-date Lead Artist on a moray wide community art project.  Bringing people together through isolation to capture traces of the land for residents in care homes.

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Mindful Creations - 2020 Visual artist and writer developing creative activity packs to be sent out to isolated and disadvantaged families during covid 19.

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Starcatchers – 2019 Visual artist and scenic designer on a piece of theatre for parents and babies.  Exploring isolation of early parenthood as characterised by the local coastal landscape.

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Westburn CAN – 2017-2018 Project Co-ordinator for a community arts project centred around Whale Arts Centre community garden.

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Art in Healthcare – 2017-2018 Artist Facilitator for arts workshops working with people affected by mental health.

 

Eyemouth Sound – 2015-2017 Director and producer of a youth music initiative based in Eyemouth.

 

Edinburgh Art Festival Explorers – 2013-2015 Director and producer of, the first creative engagement commission for the Edinburgh Art Festival.

 

Journey of 1000 Wings – 2012-2016 Creative Director - A multimedia community art installation engaging 15collaborations from across the globe, exhibited at Summerhall Edinburgh, Queens Hall Edinburgh and South Bank Centre London.

 

Peter Potter Gallery – 2016 Lead Artist -Residency at Olive Bank Children and Family Centre developing a permanent interactive art piece for children with contributions from staff and vulnerable families.

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Memory Lane – 2014 Lead Artist – development of public artwork and an illustrated booklet and map depicting living memories of the Leith community.

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Creative Pathways – 2012-2014 Lead Artist – Development and delivery of a fashion project working with young adults experiencing barriers to work and education.

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 Into Film – 2014/15 Producer and Director – Development and facilitation of a 10-week practical film course working with young people experiencing barriers to work and education.

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Resource for Life – 2012-13 Consultant artist and facilitator – Developing and implementing, a series of curriculum's for use in schools in areas of poverty.

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Hide and Sikh – 2012 Illustrator – Commissioned by MYCOPP to illustrate a graphic novel that had been written by a group of young female young carers from the Edinburgh Sikh community.

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 Fruitmarket Gallery – 2013 Development and delivery of a series of workshops to engage diverse audiences in contemporary art exhibitions.

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Artlink – 2010 Imagined Journeys – Lead Artist. Collaborating with a writer to devise and develop an art project on the theme with patients in a dialysis ward. Working creatively with physical and mental challenges to engagement, we created a hand bound artists book with personal and unique contributions from patients.

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Etchings – copper plate etchings created between 2008-2012 at the Edinburgh Printmakers and exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy, Mall Galleries, out of the Blue Art Trust, Framed Gallery, Regent Gallery and Edinburgh printmakers.