City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, Edinburgh

Lectures at the City Art Centre in association with the Out of the Blue exhibition at the Museum of Edinburgh.  All of the Out of the Blue lectures are FREE.  For further information and booking tel. 0131 529 3963/2.

Thursday 17 July, 1.30pm

The Belfield Ceramic Production Site Near Prestonpans

Excavations at the site of the Belfield pottery discovered beneath its floor a large assemblage of earlier pottery almost certainly waste from the pottery of George Gordon. This has given us a unique insight into the range of Prattware and Pearlwares being produced in the Prestonpans area during the first half of the 19th century.

George Dalgleish, Principal Curator of Scottish History, National Museums Scotland.

Thursday 24 July, 1.30pm

The Delftfield Pottery Glasgow - 18th century Tin-glaze Earthenware: Some New Evidence

Continuing work on a large assemblage of excavated Tin Glazed Earthenware shards from the site of the Delftfield pottery in Glasgow, is throwing much new light on this important Scottish pottery. This is especially significant as the wares are rare in Scotland, the pottery being built mainly to service the American and Caribbean market

Jim Grey, research volunteer at the National Museums Scotland.

Friday 25 July, 1.30pm

West Pans - A Scottish Ceramic Production Site & 18th Century Scottish Porcelain

William Littler, who was born in Burslem in Staffordshire, had by 1764 established Scotland's only commercial 18th century porcelain factory at West Pans, south west of Musselburgh. Initially successful, he soon began to struggle, but carried on until 1777, during which time he was producing a large range of porcelain objects, which only now are getting the attention they deserve.

George Haggarty, Scottish ceramic expert and research associate at the National Museums Scotland.

Monday 28 July, 1.30pm

The English Designer and Modeller John Womell and the Grangemouth Terracotta Works

This lecture will establish Wornell's past, including his teaching in London ; what was made, exhibited and sold by the Grangemouth Coal Company and by John Millar locally and at the international exhibitions; what Wornell did afterwards; and who replaced him at Grangemouth.

Godfrey Evans, Principal Curator of European Decorative Arts, National Museums Scotland.

Thursday 31 July, 1.30pm

Cantagalli and a 19th century Italian Pottery - the Scottish Dimension

On 31 August 1880, Margaret Tod and Ulisse Cantagalli were married in the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Mary's, Edinburgh. This talk will explore the possibility that it may have been his Edinburgh wife's wealth which allowed Ulisse, with his undoubted talent, to produce in his Florence workshops some of the finest lustre decorated ceramics ever made.

Sheila Forbes, research volunteer at the National Museums Scotland.

Thursday 7 August, 1.30pm

Excavations of Two Major Glasgow Ceramic Production Sites

The recent upsurge in industrial archaeological activity in Glasgow has seen the excavations of three major 19th century potteries. The speaker is responsible for the two largest of these, Verreville and Caledonian. This work is of international importance and shows conclusively that Scotland was in the forefront of 19th century kiln technology, and that these enterprises were producing incredibly large amounts of pottery.

Candy Hathaway.

Lectures at the City Art Centre in association with the China: A Photographic Portrait exhibition, 5 July 2008 - 14 September 2008. All of the China: A Photographic Portrait lectures are FREE with the price of an exhibition ticket.  For further information and booking tel. 0131 529 3963/2.

Tuesday 29 July, 1.30 pm

The Real Thing: Contemporary Art from China

Simon Groom, Director of Modern and Contemporary Art at National Galleries of Scotland, will give an illustrated talk about the weird, wild and often unbelievable world of contemporary art in China.

Friday 22 August, 1.30 pm

China Revealed: The Travels of Isabella Bird

National Library of Scotland Curator David McClay in an illustrated talk presents the remarkable Victorian travel writer Isabella Bird. The intrepid and insightful Chinese journeys of the nineteenth century's most famous lady traveller will be revealed through her letters, photographs and bestselling books.

Adult craft classes at the City Art Centre in association with the China: A Photographic Portrait exhibition, 5 July 2008 - 14 September 2008. All of the China: A Photographic Portrait adult craft classes are FREE with the price of an exhibition ticket.  For further information and booking tel. 0131 529 3963/2.

All of our workshops are taught very informally and are suitable for beginners and children 16 +

Monday 18 August, 10 am - 3.30 pm

Peach Blossom Trees

Chinese Brush Painting on Rice Paper. Create delicate watercolour studies inspired by Chinese landscapes. With Artist Jennie Temple.

Tuesday 19 August

Chinese Paper Sculpture

In this workshop investige traditional Chinese folk craft techniques of Chinese paper cutting and Chinese paper folding to make beautiful paper sculptures. With artist Juliana Capes.

Thursday 21 August, 10 am - 3.30 pm

Mulberry Trees

Explore painting on silk inspired by botanical themes. With Artist Jennie Temple.

Family craft classes at the City Art Centre in association with the China: A Photographic Portrait exhibition, 5 July 2008 - 14 September 2008. All of the China: A Photographic Portrait family craft classes are FREE with the price of an exhibition ticket.  For further information and booking tel. 0131 529 3963/2.

Celebrate Chinese Festivals as a Family in our Art Workshops

Saturday 23 August, 10 am - 12.30 pm or 1.30 pm - 4 pm

Zodiac Animal Lanterns

Make bold lanterns inspired by Chinese symbols. For families with children 6+. With artist Lindsey Hamilton

Saturday 30 August, 10 am - 3.30 pm

Chinese Shadow Dragons, 10.30 am - 12.30 pm or 1.30 pm - 3.30 pm

In this fantastic workshop you will make and perform colourful shadow puppets inspired by Chinese dragons. For all ages. With Artist Juliana Capes

Saturday 6 September, 10.30 am - 12.30 pm
Moonlight Lanterns
To celebrate the Chinese Mid Autumn Festival, create and decorate your own willow lantern to light up the night sky. A magical way to mark this charming Festival. You will get a chance to sample some moon cakes! For all ages. With artist Stephanie Walker

Saturday 6 September, 1.30 pm - 3.30 pm

Willow Moon

Make a silvery willow moon which can be hung outside on the night of the Moon Festival. Silhouette paper cut outs will be made to decorate it, based on stories of the Moon Festival such as the moon fairy living in a crystal palace and the hare in the moon. It is the time of year when people gaze at the full moon and eat moon cake! For all ages. With artist Stephanie Walker

Saturday 13 September, 10.30 am - 12.30 pm
Chinese Shadow Puppets
Shadow puppetry is a magical way in which the stories of Chinese folklore and fairytales are told. Be inspired by the tales of the mischievous Monkey God to make and decorate Chinese shadow puppets in time for the Monkey God Festival on the 15th September. For all ages. With artist Stephanie Walker

Saturday 13 September, 1.30 pm - 3.30 pm 
Lotus Landscapes
Create a Chinese landscape using paper sculpture and origami (animals and plants). You will get the chance to explore with beautiful textured papers. You could even make some little mobiles to hang and flutter in the breeze. For all ages. With artist Stephanie Walker