Bringing the Invisible to Light: The Planning Group’s visit to Summerhall

Members of The Planning Group stood together smiling outside Summerhall.

Bringing the Invisible to Light: The Planning Group’s visit to  Summerhall

On Thursday the 15th of August, some of the Exhibition Team gathered at Summerhall for an exciting tea fuelled meeting as we continue preparations for this years’ Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition. This annual event, which showcases a diverse range of artistic expressions related to mental health, is the result of months of hard work, collaboration, and careful planning—much of which happens behind the scenes. The Exhibition Team includes a Planning Group, CAPS staff (and later in the process many volunteers and Summerhall staff). We thought it was time to bring some of that invisible planning process into the light.  From October 9 at Summerhall the light will be firmly on the exhibitors and their artworks!

The Meeting at Summerhall

Summerhall is an amazing setting for OOSOOM exhibition. The historic venue, known for its rich cultural significance and creative energy. On Thursday it set the stage for productive discussions and brainstorming. The Planning Group are a passionate group of exhibitors, organizers, and mental health advocates, who come together with one goal in mind: to create an excellent exhibition which is a platform for the voices of people with experience of mental health issues, using art.

During Thursday’s visit, they reviewed submissions from exhibitors, discussed how the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival’s theme ‘In/Visible’ will influence the exhibition, and considered how they can create a space that feels inclusive, engaging, and thought-provoking for all visitors. They also began planning the layout, curation, and promotional strategies to ensure the exhibition is accessible to as many people as possible.

Making the Invisible Visible

The team plans every detail. From coordinating with exhibitors and securing venues, to approving promotional material and curating. Each step is essential to bringing the exhibition to life. This year, the team are particularly inspired by the theme ‘In/Visible,’ which encourages us to reflect on what it means to be visible or invisible in the context of mental health. It is a huge collective effort behind the exhibition.

A Glimpse Behind the Scenes

To share a bit of the journey, we will share the occasional photo from the process, and hopefully the spirit of collaboration and creativity that fuels the process. It’s a reminder that the exhibition is not just about the final pieces on display, but also about the community and conversations that help shape it.

As we move closer to the exhibition in October, we’re excited to continue sharing updates with you. Whether you’re an artist, a mental health advocate, or simply someone who appreciates the power of art, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating the diversity and depth of this year’s exhibition.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insights and announcements as we get closer to unveiling Out of Sight Out of Mind 2024!