Barter by Artlink Edinburgh and the Lothians

The story so far...

Cousland Smiddy, a working blacksmith and heritage museum received jewellery, bookmarks, badges and drawings inspired by visits there, in return for historical demonstrations by the blacksmith and access to their museum.

The project is being part-financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community Tyne-Esk Leader 2007â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2013 programme.

Magic Max, magician and balloon artist received a stage backdrop and box to transport his tricks, in return for magic shows. MacTaggart Scott Loanhead Brass Band gave guest passes for their shows in return for posters designed to promote the bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual concert. Edinburgh and Rural Vintage Car Hire owner gave us many rides in his 1936 Rolls Royce when we created a sign for new customers to find his station house, which is remotely located in Midlothian countryside.

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas

Highbank Nursing Home hosted a bingo coffee morning in exchange for an appliquĂŠd wall hanging, cushions and knitting needle holders. East Coast Organics offered a tractor tour of the farm in exchange for comedy vegetable postcards to promote their box delivery scheme.

* the art of exchanging with others

What do you need?

What can we do?

What can we trade?

Local people and businesses have already commissioned projects. Inside youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find examples of barter projects; what was made and what was exchanged. In return for a sign outside his old-station home, one local has offered rides in his vintage cars; in exchange for a painted backdrop and a box for his equipment, a popular magician has provided balloon and magic shows. So, can we barter with you?

Barter with us!

The Barter Project uses the artistic skills and talents of people with learning disabilities to benefit their local communities. In artist led workshops art works are made, such as signs, window displays, craftworks for local people and businesses, in exchange for goods, services or new experiences. * the art of exchanging with others

How can we help?

For more information on how to get involved in the Barter project, please contact: Kara Christine Artlink Midlothian Coordinator email: kara@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk telephone: 0131 229 3555 The Barter project is run by Artlink, who believe participation in the arts has an important role to play in realising personal and social change. For more information see www.artlinkedinburgh.co.uk This project is being part-financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community Tyne-Esk Leader 2007â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2013 programme. The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas

* the art of exchanging with others

A lovely place to visit

Cousland Smiddy Trust is a registered Scottish charity working hard to preserve the smiddy buildings as a key part of the village’s heritage and keep the tradition of rural blacksmithing alive. There are 13 organic allotments in use, as well as an orchard and areas for walking and recreation. It’s a lovely place to visit. www.cousland.net/smiddytrust.asp

What did you need? We requested that Artlink make some interesting attractive and affordable ‘keepsake’ souvenirs for the Smiddy open days. We suggested that they make souvenirs which would be attractive to children and adults alike.

What was the Barter?

Have we helped?

Will you do it again?

They made us a range of goodies such as jewellery, badges, book marks and drawings inspired by visits to the Smiddy, the work of the Blacksmith and the history of the Smiddy. In return, we offered the artists a demonstration by our resident blacksmith and access to our museum.

The artworks are very well made, attractive, colourful and appeal to a wide range of our visitors, which is great because our intention is to sell them to help fundraise for our museum trust.

We are keen to build on this partnership with Artlink and will continue to act as an outlet for the work that they make. We are confident that the Smiddy environment will provide ongoing inspiration for the artists, allowing them to develop their work and a mutually beneficial relationship to develop.

* the art of exchanging with others

Blow your own cornet!

MacTaggart Scott Loanhead Brass Band was founded in 1943 by employees of MacTaggart Scott & Co. Ltd. Currently they comprise the senior band, two junior bands - Loanhead Brass Youth and Loanhead Brass Roots, and a beginners group for those who have just started playing. They provide opportunities for both young and experienced players to play for the benefit of their community and themselves. www.loanheadbrass.org.uk

What did you need? We requested that Artlink design some colourful, vibrant posters which would promote the brass bandsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; annual concert throughout Midlothian.

What was the Barter? Artlink produced some very professional looking posters in a variety of designs advertising the annual concert. They were very eye catching and attracted local interest. In exchange, the poster maker attended a street fair in Loanhead to see us, and was invited to the concert he helped promote.

Have we helped?

Will you do it again?

The posters were first class and they helped to attract a large audience to our concert. The small amount of posters that were left over were quickly snapped up for the bedroom walls of some of our younger players, which is a great compliment to the guy who made the posters.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be happy to continue to work with Artlink, in fact the senior band became 4th Section Scottish Champions in February and some posters highlighting that would be of great benefit, so...

* the art of exchanging with others

It’s Magic, Max

Magic Max is an award winning magician and balloon artist based in Mayfield, Midlothian. A full member of the Edinburgh Magic Circle, he provides magic shows for children, hassle-free full party packages, entertainment at weddings, sophisticated close-up magic at dinner parties, balloon modelling at fetes or fun days, charity events. www.magicmax.co.uk

What did you need? I asked for a glitzy stage backdrop for my shows to be made, one which could be easily packed up and taken from venue to venue. I also requested a box to transport my props, I had been using a plastic one, which was rather dull looking. I needed something eye catching and colourful.

What was the Barter?

Have we helped?

In exchange for a lovely curtain background for my show, and a fantastic new prop box on wheels, I did some free magic and balloon shows for the people who made them and their friends.

I was actually very surprised at the quality of workmanship. The box is brightly coloured, fully cushioned inside to protect my props; the backdrop is a perfect size and is constructed to be transported easily.

Will you do it again? I’m delighted with the work they’ve done. I would be more than happy to work with Artlink again, perhaps I could teach them a few new tricks which they could use to entertain their friends.

* the art of exchanging with others

It’s all gone Rolls Royce.

Edinburgh and Rural Vintage Car Hire gives people a ‘never forget’ experience of being chauffeured to your special event (wedding, birthday, prom, graduation) in a 1930’s Rolls Royce. Owner George Horne, a vintage car fanatic, faithfully restores the cars in his garage at the Rosslynlee Station House, in Midlothian. Edinburgh and Rural Vintage Car Hire Rosslynlee Station House, Roslin T: 0131 440 2187

What did you need? When potential customers would come to view my cars, they would drive up and down the road and could never find me. I decided it would be best to ask Artlink to make a sign for my business which would ensure that my customers always knew exactly where to find me.

What was the Barter? Artlink made me a sign which fits in perfectly with the building. it’s just exactly what was needed and in return I have provided a series of special trips out in my cars for the people who made my lovely sign.

Have we helped? People love the sign. It’s so professional. They can’t get over just how well it goes with the house, it’s been painted and aged to look like it’s always been there. I’m very happy with what they have made.

Will you do it again? If anything comes up in the future I’d be more than happy to work with them. It’s been very good working with Artlink.

* the art of exchanging with others

East Coast Organics

East Coast Organics farm is set 10 miles southeast of Edinburgh, where the crops grow in abundance in the East Lothian sunshine and fertile soil. They are first generation farmers with over 20 years of organic growing experience. They run a box delivery scheme throughout the Lothians. www.eastcoastorganics.co.uk

What did you need?

What was the Barter?

Have we helped?

Will you do it again?

We wanted a couple of different things; to promote our business to new and old customers at our farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market stall, and to promote our blog and sea sonal recipes to our current customer base. We wanted something which was imaginative but we were not quite sure what that would be.

Artlink came up with a series of humorous postcards of vegetables, to use to promote our business. We will use the postcards to promote our box scheme, as each postcard has our details on the reverse. In return we will organise a tractor tour of the farm, and give people the chance to feed some of our animals.

The postcards are great, they can go in food boxes and on our stall at the local Farmers Market. We only used a few of the images for postcards and have additional images which we can use for publicity in the future. We are very happy indeed.

Yes, as weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always looking for imaginative and creative ways to expand our customer base, so we would be delighted to see what the artists would come up with next.

* the art of exchanging with others

Bingo Fever

Highbank Nursing Home is a purpose built residential home for older people in Eskbank. They also offer a day care and respite service which aims to provide social, emotional and physical support to older people living in the community to enable them to maintain their independence and remain in their own home for as long as possible. Highbank Nursing Home 0131 663 3135

What did you need? We needed something to brighten up our communal social area where we run craft and social activities. The area lacked colour and there was no focal point of interest.

What was the Barter? Artlink designed and made a beautiful woodland themed wall hanging, cushions and ceramic knitting needle holders. In return, we organised a bingo coffee morning for the makers and artists.

Have we helped?

Will you do it again?

There is now a focal point for this large area, the place looks much more interesting, people really like it.

Absolutely, it was a nice experience to exchange something which benefited both Highbank residents and Artlink makers.