Colony of artists - since 2005
The coa story
🐝 How the Buzz Began 🐝
The Colony of Artists Festival first took flight in 2005, when a small group of artists opened their homes across the Abbeyhill Colonies to share their creative work. Inspired by the co-operative spirit of the area and community arts events like the Pittenweem Arts Festival, what began as a modest exhibition of just nine artists has blossomed into something truly remarkable.
After a short pause in 2007 where the future of the event was up in the air, Bill Mazur and Kat Chisholm took on the role of guiding the festival, quietly nurturing its growth for nearly two decades.. Along the way, many dedicated artists, volunteers, and supporters have helped shape COA into the vibrant celebration it is today.
Since those early days, the festival has grown to become one of Edinburgh’s largest grassroots arts events — fueled by nearly two decades of vibrant community spirit and a lot of dedicated, behind-the-scenes buzzing.
Now, in our 20th year, COA2025 brings together nearly 110 artists, transforming homes, gardens, and studios into a buzzing festival of creativity, collaboration, and local spirit.
It truly takes a whole hive to build and sustain this event — and we’re excited to keep welcoming you into our homes and gardens for many more buzzing years ahead!
🐝 2005 – The First Buzz 🐝
The very first Colony of Artists exhibition was brought to life in 2005 inspired by Gill Smith and Bob Giulianotti — with Bob also designing our very first brochure. Just 9 artists took part that year, with a warm introduction penned by Jo McSween.
A small swarm... with big dreams! 🐝✨
🐝 2008 – A New Flight Path 🐝
After a year off to reflect and regroup, William Mazur and Kat Chisholm picked up the reins and guided the swarm into exciting new territory. Bob Giulianotti returned as our trusty brochure designer, and for the first time, Abbeyhill Primary School joined the buzz — a big step in bringing more of the community into the hive.
Artist numbers also took a huge leap to 24 – the hive was growing fast! 🐝
🐝 2009 – The Hive Expands 🐝
With some fresh faces joining the flight, the 2009 event was organised by Kat Chisholm, William Mazur, and Debbie Phillips. Bob Giulianotti once again lent his design skills to create the festival brochure.
The buzz kept growing, with 25 artists taking part — and even The Scotsman took notice, describing the event as "the city's answer to South Bank".
🐝 2011 – Steady Buzz 🐝
The hive kept humming in 2011, with William Mazur and Kat Chisholm once again steering the swarm. The brochure design was crafted by Michele D’Elia and Seán Ó Cathasaigh, bringing their creative touch for a second year running.
24 artists participated, keeping the Colony buzzing with colour, creativity, and community spirit. 🐝
🐝 2013 – Growing the Hive 🐝
The 2013 exhibition was organised by Denis Mallon, William Mazur, and Kat Chisholm, with Denis Mallon designing the brochure. With 30 artists participating, this was our largest swarm yet!
For the first time, local businesses joined the buzz, featuring window displays at Manna House Bakery and Cornelius Beer and Wine on Easter Road — beautifully designed by Lisa Mallon.
🐝 2015 – A Decade of Buzz 🐝
Our Tenth Exhibition was organised by Nic Souter, Kat Chisholm, and William Mazur, with a special 10th Anniversary brochure designed by David Barrington. A record-breaking 41 artists filled the hive — our biggest swarm yet!
To celebrate this milestone, we honoured the pioneers who shaped the Colonies. The local history exhibit expanded, with Kat Chisholm diving deep into research to start a photo archive of local residents. Hilary Burwell interviewed some of the oldest Colony bees — Jackie Sewell and Peter Shaw — whose stories of old Abbeyhill were shared as audio recordings at the exhibit. 🎧🐝
A highlight was the screening of The Singing Street, a beloved film made by local teachers at Norton Park School, which has since become a much-anticipated yearly event.
We were also incredibly lucky to host Professor Richard Rodger, Edinburgh University’s expert on the Colonies, who gave a fascinating lecture on local history at Abbeyhill Primary School — a moment we wish we'd captured on film!
To bring even more community buzz, The Hive Music Venue was born at Holland House on Rossie Place, with music organised by Betty Pottinger and support from Holland House Electrical Company. This lively new addition has kept the Colony humming every year since.
And, in 2015, we formally constituted the Colony of Artists, looking ahead to future growth — launching the first COA Raffle to raise funds to keep our hive thriving!
🐝 2016 – Brewing New Buzz 🐝
The 2016 Colony was organised by Kat Chisholm, William Mazur, and Nic Souter, with brochure design by David Barrington. A growing hive of 57 artists took part, adding even more colour and creativity to the festival.
This year, due to production challenges at Stewart Brewing, our beloved COA Festival Ale found a new home with Campervan Brewery in Leith. Thanks to Paul Gibson and his team, our special brew reached more outlets and spread the Colony’s buzz far and wide! 🍺🐝
🐝 2018 – Vintage VWs and Vibrant Vibes 🐝
Organised by Kat Chisholm, William Mazur, and Nic Souter, with brochure design by David Barrington, the 2018 Colony featured 55 artists showcasing their buzzing creativity.
This year, The Hive Stage got even sweeter with onsite beer sales from Campervan Brewery and delicious food from Century General Store — both served from iconic vintage VWs! 🍺🍴🐝
🐝 2006 – The Buzz Grows 🐝
Gill Smith and Bob Giulianotti kept the hive humming in 2006, with a fresh new brochure design by Alastair Clark. The swarm grew slightly, with 12 artists joining the buzz this year! 🖼️🐝
🐝 2010 – Bunting and Big Buzz 🐝
The word was spreading! With growing media interest and more visitors buzzing in, the 2010 exhibition was organised by William Mazur and Kat Chisholm. The brochure got a fresh new look thanks to Michele D’Elia and Seán Ó Cathasaigh.
This was also the first year our now-iconic bunting made its debut, lovingly created and hung by William — and it’s been fluttering cheerfully ever since!
27 artists took part, and we proudly received our first national newspaper coverage with The Guardian writing a very lovely article and video about the event.
🐝 2012 – Going Social and Storybook Sweet 🐝
The 2012 exhibition was organised by William Mazur, Denis Mallon, and Kat Chisholm, with Denis Mallon also designing the brochure. 27 artists filled the neighbourhood with creativity and colour.
This year marked a special moment — beloved local resident Aileen Paterson joined the buzz, treating visitors to a delightful “Maisie of Morningside” reading. 📚🐭
We also took our first steps into the digital hive, creating social media pages and reaching more people than ever before! 🐝
🐝 2014 – Hive History and Homebrews 🐝
The 2014 Colony was organised by Kat Chisholm, Kate Allberry, Luke Isbel, and William Mazur, with David Barrington designing the brochure. 28 artists took part, continuing to fill the hive with creativity.
Business buzz grew stronger as Kate Allberry crafted tiny window bunting, fluttering across more local shops and drawing greater community support. 🎀🐝
To celebrate the rich history of the area, Hilary Burwell curated the first local History exhibit, attracting a swarm of visitors eager to learn more.
With ongoing support from James Wrobel of Cornelius Beer and Wine, we proudly unveiled the very first Colony of Artists beer, brewed and bottled by Stewart Brewing — a true collector’s treat! 🍺🐝
Meanwhile, Abbeyhill Primary School kept the arts thriving, welcoming their first ever artist-in-residence, Aileen Paterson, beloved author of Maisie of Morningside.
🐝 2017 – Brewing Tunes & Good Vibes 🐝
Organised by Kat Chisholm, Nic Souter, and William Mazur, with brochure design by David Barrington, the 2017 Colony featured 55 artists bringing their creative energy to the hive.
We expanded the buzz at The Hive Stage with onsite beer sales, served straight from Campervan Brewery’s vintage VW — a real crowd-pleaser! 🍺🐝
The entire musical line-up was expertly curated by Simon Illingworth from the Safari Lounge on Cadzow Place, keeping the Colony humming with great tunes all weekend long. 🎶🐝
