The Penicuik Heritage Regeneration Project (PHRP) appointed Fiona Maher as an Artist in Residence to work with local community groups to produce artworks reflecting the history and heritage of the town.

Fiona chose to concentrate on the paper making history of Penicuik. She held 15 resident workshops in Penicuik Town Hall and the Pen-y-Coe Press with approximately 160 participants. Feedback from those involved has been very positive. People have enjoyed the creative experience and say that they would like to see a programme of artist workshops continuing in the future. Fiona has created 8 prints resulting from the workshops and these have been framed and will hang permanently in the Town Hall.

To celebrate the completion of the work an event will be held on Saturday 21st January 2023 where Fiona will present the artworks to the community in Penicuik Town Hall. The Provost of Midlothian and local Councillor, Debbi McCall will be there to welcome visitors and to thank Fiona for her work.Local residents and visitors are welcome

The workshops involved printing and drawing, etching and other techniques using materials from the Penicuik Historical Society and local groups to create artwork that drew on the paper making heritage. Fiona worked with local community groups and pupils from Beeslack High School. The process involved dry print etching, letterpress printing, mono printing, screen printing. All bar two of the completed works were created by the participants under the guidance of the artist.

Fiona is a print maker and sculptor with many years of community based experience. She was a pupil at Penicuik High School. She currently runs regular classes at Edinburgh Printmakers on a freelance basis.

The Provost, Councillor Debbi McCall says, “Fiona has done a great job working with local community groups to stimulate interest in the history and heritage of the town and with local people creating some attractive and exciting prints. They will be on display permanently in the Town Hall and hopefully will encourage people to take an interest in the heritage of the town and perhaps try their hand at the creative process of drawing and printmaking!!”

The Penicuik Heritage Regeneration Project is a 5 year scheme aimed at regenerating the historic core of Penicuik through historic building grants, shop front improvements, public realm improvements and an extensive education, training and engagement programme. It is funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, Midlothian Council, and supported by Penicuik Community Development Trust, Penicuik First and Penicuik and District Community Council.

November 28th 2022