Exhibitions
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Exhibitions at Prestongrange

East Lothian and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Powerhouse at Prestongrange Museum
 
Dates: 4th April 2009 – 31st October 2009
 
Admission: Free
 
This exhibition explores the links that East Lothian as a County had with the Transatlantic Slave Trade. It focuses on the Wedderburn family at Inveresk and their slaving connections, through the stories of slaves, Robert Wedderburn and Joseph Knight. It also explores the parallels between the lives of Scottish Miners and Chattel Slaves. A programme of activities and events are planned to compliment the themes of the exhibition, including a celebration of Black History Month in October.
 

'East Lothian's Our Home'

Powerhouse at Prestongrange Museum

Until October 2009

Admission: Free

A further exciting addition to 'East Lothian and the Transatlantic Slave Trade' is the art piece called ‘East Lothian’s Our Home’. Primary 6 pupils from throughout the Prestonpans Cluster have worked with artist Ettie Spencer to create a tent depicting their reactions to the issues raised in the exhibition.
Closeup of tent made by Primary 6 students
 

In 2008, East Lothian Council’s Museums and Arts Services secured funding from Museums Galleries Scotland to enable several schools to become involved in an Artist in Residency project. Since then, every Primary 6 pupil in the Prestonpans Cluster area has been working with local artist Ettie Spencer on the ‘East Lothian’s Our Home’ project to create an artwork based upon the exhibition about the slave trade. The schools involved are Cockenzie, Longniddry, Prestonpans and St Gabriel’s Primary schools.

 

 

 

Fabric Squares made by local primary schoolchildren for tentEach child taking part in the project has used different textile skills to create a fabric square, which represents their idea of ‘home’. The final art piece is a large tent that illustrates the ideas of displacement and home.

 

The fabric squares by the children are extremely colourful and varied, reflecting the diversity of life in East Lothian today. The artistic skills, and the understanding of the topic shown by the children have been impressive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tent will be on display until October.Colourful fabric squares froming part of tent

 

 

 

 

 

 

With special thanks to Museums Galleries Scotland and the East Lothian Arts Service