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Hello friends, as you might have read earlier, I’m currently hosting a retrospective exhibition of my Gran’s artwork and I thought you might find it interesting to read about how I hosted the Private Viewing / Opening Night / Celebration of Life event.
This step was easy as I used the gallery space above my studio at Leith Makers. It’s a beautiful, high-ceilinged, light and airy space with original stone walls on one side and painted white walls on the other.
I invited people via:
I printed bookmark-style invites, inspired by a similarly proportioned invite that I received for an exhibition by another of our studio residents, Cat Gordon.
I didn’t ask anyone to RSVP so I had very little idea of who was coming, aside from the people I’d invited directly. I think the greatest fear of everyone who throws an event is that no one will come. And also that too many people will come and there won’t be enough drink and nibbles… I certainly worried about both. But in the end, it was absolutely fine. We had a Goldilocks amount of people who came so it wasn’t quiet but it also wasn’t so packed you couldn’t move.
As I was hosting this event on the day that would have been my Gran’s 94th birthday, I knew I wanted to make cake. For the last several years I have baked my Gran a traditional Victoria Sponge for her birthday and I wanted to incorporate that into this event. But I didn’t think slices of cake would be good for an event where people would be mostly standing up and mingling.
So I had the idea to make Victoria Sponge cupcakes instead. I used the same recipe for the sponge, baking it as fairy cakes instead. Then my daughter used an apple core to take a little out of the cake and replaced it with some whipped cream, topped with jam. More cream was placed on top of that, and a strawberry hat was added. To complete the look we sprinkled icing sugar over the top.
One of my lovely neighbours loaned me that fabulous KitKat cake tin to transport some of the cakes and it was so perfect that we kept the tin out on display.
My lovely husband also acquired savoury snacks (breadsticks, olives, crisps, etc).
I worked with the Leith Makers team to make sure we had a selection of wine and non alcoholic drinks:
Calum from Leith Makers arrived early – even before me – to make the space as lovely as it could be; getting the fire going, setting up the entertaining tables, and arranging the drinks and glasses. We worked together to set up chairs for those who wanted or needed to sit.
Once guests started to arrive Calum, my hubby, and myself all took turns making sure everyone was welcomed, and offered a drink and snacks.
I circulated and talked with people about my Gran, and the exhibition, answering the questions I could and passing some of them over to my Dad. Everyone was so lovely and kind, it was a really uplifting evening.
It was an amazing evening that saw all sorts of people in attendance, from close family and friends, to art writers and curious strangers. Everyone was interested, and kind.
If you haven’t yet been to the exhibition, please do pop along. It’s open until and including this Sunday (1st March, 2026). I’ve been dotting in and out, reading the comments left in the Visitor’s Book and they have been really heart-warming. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the impact this exhibition has had on people who have never met my Gran. Maybe it’ll leave a lovely impression on you too.
Exhibition Blog series:
