Talent blossoming as gardens are turned into art galleries

Last year organisers of Big Things on the Beach brought giant pyramids of sandbags to the seafront, below.

And now the arts trust is asking householders with gardens visible from the street to play host to works of art, and artists are being approached to design work which can be displayed outdoors.

The trust hopes to "borrow" at least 50 gardens for the display in August, and curators and artists will discuss with residents which artwork would be most suited to which garden.

Householders will not be paid for the use of their gardens, but they will be acknowledged in the exhibition guide. They can decide whether to invite visitors into their garden or restrict viewing to the street side.

The organisers are currently looking for a curator to arrange and help interpret the works.

Caroline Muirhead, the public arts development worker, told the Evening News: "We've had a very enthusiastic response already. We've got about 25 or 30 people interested in letting us use their gardens. We wanted to keep it within the Promenade and beach area. We've got a shortlist of artists we're going to pair up with gardens.

"It could be anything, such as sculptures, light installations, photography or banners. We're not sure if there will be a theme, but it will be seaside related."

Local artist Gordon Brennan, known for his sculptures cast in concrete and cement, has already said he will take part.

He recently displayed work for the 100th anniversary exhibition at the Edinburgh College of Art.

A guide is planned for the exhibition, so that visitors can walk round the area and view all the artwork.

The exhibition will cost around 20,000 and the trust has applied for funding to the National Lottery's Awards for All scheme and Edinburgh City Council.

Ms Muirhead added: "We decided it was an excellent opportunity to get people interested in art and local artists. Portobello is a very creative community. Wonder (the pyramids on the beach exhibit] got the community very excited last year."

She recently took a group of Portobello residents on a trip to Barcelona to study public works of art.

Robert Gatliff, chairman of Portobello Community Council, said: "I think it's a brilliant idea. Putting art in people's front gardens gives them a bit of protection, but allows people to see them.

"I think there's a lot of enthusiasm in Portobello for public art. We've had three exhibitions over the past three years and they have been very well-received."

Big Things on the Beach was formed by a group of residents in 2003 to explore the potential of the Beach in Portobello as a site for the creation and display of public artworks. They display work by established and emerging artists from Scotland.