Kraftworks: the new adult art movement. Kraftworks is a new weekly drop-in session for adults who are interested in crafts and activism, or who would like the chance to relax and meet in an informal, friendly environment. Each session will be artist-led, with opportunities to learn new techniques and create your own products. The first session is today, when you can decorate and paint porcelain mugs and crockery. Different techniques will be demonstrated, and everyone can have a cup of tea, a cake and a blether whilst decorating! For ages 16+. 10am-12 noon, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court. Free: for more information just contact the NEA Box Office on 0131 315 2151. Next week: techniques and experimentation with clear resin.
Craigie Aitchison: A Life in Colour. Award-winning writer Cate Haste talks about her new, fully illustrated, study of the life and work of Scottish artist Craigie Aitchison (1926-2009). This is the first book to cover the entire oeuvre of a painter whose distinctive and powerfully evocative style has earned him widespread critical acclaim and public popularity. Haste draws on original documents, family archives, letters, published interviews with the painter, and new interviews with those who knew the artist to explore the relationship of his life to his work. A book signing will follow the talk. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Edible Gardening: Seasonal Advice. Drop in to find out how to grow your own food, and take a look around the productive garden with the Edible Gardening Project team. 1-3pm, Demonstration Garden, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row.
Edge and Shore Artists’ Talk: visual artist Helen Carnac and dance artist Lailla Dialo in conversation with Dovecot weaver Jonathan Cleaver, chaired by Roanne Dods. At 5.30pm the artists will engage in a process of live making prior to the talk, which begins at 6pm for 6.30pm, South Gallery, Dovecot Studios, Infirmary Street. Free but please book via eventbrite. Edge and Shore: Acts of Doing is a new work exploring the edges and boundaries of making and working, performance and installation: it continues at Dovecot until 7th February.
LGBT Art Therapy: Doll Making. Facilitated by art therapists, be guided through techniques to make your own doll, in order to explore elements of self-expression in a therapeutic group setting. No experience or skill in art required. Please note this group will take place over two sessions – today and 10th February. 6.30-8.30pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. Places are limited so booking is essential: contact Alison Wren on 0131 652 3283 or email alison@lgbthealth.org.uk.
Edinburgh Central Library Book Group: this month the group is discussing The Moon Field by Judith Allnatt. 6pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. All welcome, no booking required – just turn up!
Representing Muslims in Scotland and the North-East: a Series of Seminars with British Muslim Poets, Writers and Filmmakers. Tonight: Leila Aboulela. Born and raised in Sudan, Leila Aboulela is an award-winning writer who now lives in Aberdeen. She has written three renowned novels, The Translator, Minarets and Lyrics Alley, a collection of short stories Coloured Lights and a BBC Radio 4 commissioned play The Insider. Much of her work examines the ways in which religious belief, gender and class are ‘translated’ between cultures. 5.30pm, Project Room, 50 George Square, University of Edinburgh. There will be a Q & A session and refreshments after the talk. Everyone welcome.
Lunchtime Concert: Stewart Kempster (Bass) and Ingrid Sawers (Piano) perform Vaughan Williams Songs of Travel and songs by John Ireland, Frederick Keel, John Hearne, Michael Head and Peter Warlock. 1.10pm, Reid Concert Hall, University of Edinburgh, Bristo Square. Free and unticketed.
Metamorphoses: Martin Parker, Adam Linson and Grey Area perform pieces exploring the boundaries between electronics and acoustic sound. Martin Parker ‘Vertebrae‘ for live electronics, Owen Green New work for cardboard box and live electronics, Adam Linson ‘Cryptogramic sporules I’ for double bass and electronics, Armin Sturm ‘Insects’ for ensemble and Stockhausen ‘Kontakte’ for 4-channel tape. Sound projection by Sean Williams. 7pm, Assembly Roxy, 2 Roxburgh Place. Free but booking required via eventbrite. Supported by The Leverhulme Trust and the University of Edinburgh.
History in the Pub: a new monthly event looking at all aspects of history, with talks from academics, authors, journalists and interested laypersons. Open to everyone with an interest in the past. 7.30-9.30pm, The Counting House Bar, West Nicolson Street. Free.
