11 Refugee Festival Scotland events for art lovers
With a packed programme taking place across the country, Refugee Festival Scotland has something for everyone to enjoy. From street art, sculpture and textiles to photography and screen printing, here are 11 colourful events for art lovers.
1. Live in Art
A collaborative exhibition exploring themes of unity and resilience through the work of displaced artists from Afghanistan, Colombia, Iran, Pakistan, Ukraine and Vietnam.
When: 10–14 June, 10am–5pm, daily
Where: CCA Creative Lab, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JD
2. New Scot’s photos of Edinburgh
A thought-provoking exhibition of photographs taken by people living in Edinburgh who have been forcibly displaced.
When: 12–23 June, 10am–5pm, daily
Where: Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, EH12 5AW
3. Standing Tall Murals
Visual artist Ursula Kam-Ling Cheng has been working with groups of young people from displaced backgrounds living in and around Aberdeen and Glasgow to co-create two powerful murals, one in each city. These public artworks are a powerful expression of hope and strength.
- When: 1–30 June, 9.30am–5pm, Tuesday–Saturday
- Where: The Music Hall, Union Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1QS
- When: 21-22 June, always accessible to the public
- Where: SWG3 Yardworks, 100 Eastvale Place, Glasgow, G3 8QG
4. Home from home
This collection of photographic portraits by Ukrainian photographer and social anthropologist Olena Cheban shares the before and after stories of people who have settled in Scotland after being forced from their homes by the war against Ukraine.
When: 13–22 June
Where: Fire Station Creative Gallery, Carniegie Drive, Dunfermline, KY12 7AN
5. Angus Welcome Quilt
Each square of this quilt, created by the Arbroath Afghan Women’s Sewing Group, represents a milestone refugees have achieved in their journeys to safety and the contribution they have made to their new communities.
When: 13–20 June, Wednesday to Monday, 10.30am – 4pm
Where: Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, 20 West High Street, Forfar, DD8 1BB
6. Cultural arts and crafts workshops
Learn new skills, make connections and build a sense of community at this celebration of Ukrainian culture. The series of engaging free workshops include paper weaving, crocheting, Ukrainian folk dance, pencil drawing and balloon modelling.
When: 15 June, 12.30–2.30pm
Where: Corran Halls, 54 Esplanade, Oban, PA34 5AB
7. Collective Milestone
Drop into Transmission Gallery where the Central and West Integration Network’s Art Group will present a 10-metre long collaborative painting alongside smaller works by each individual artist.
When: 15–19 June, open daily from 11am-5pm
Where: Transmission Gallery, 28 King Street, Glasgow, G1 5QP
8. To gather: publication launch and exhibition
Everyone is welcome for the launch of this publication and exhibition of clay amulets, facilitated by artist Saffa Khan in collaboration with refugee and asylum-seeking communities across Arbroath, Dumfries, Glasgow, Helensburgh and Inverness.
When: 17 June, 11.30am–4pm
Where: A K Bell Library, 2-8 York Place, Perth, PH2 8EP
9. From milestones to moments
Join Forth Valley Welcome for an exhibition of stories and photos featuring key milestones in the lives of New Scots living in the local area.
When: 21 June, 10.30am–3.30pm
Where: The Tolbooth, Jail Wynd, Stirling, FK8 1DE
10. Many stories, one banner
Learn how to design and screen print your own message onto a collaborative banner at one of three one-hour taster sessions, hosted by Print Clan. The finished banner will be exhibited at MONO Café Bar.
When: 21 June, 11am–4pm
Where: Print Clan CIC, 241 High Street, Glasgow, G4 0QR
11. Welcome to Aberdeen Art Gallery
Everyone is welcome to drop in for an afternoon of music, crafts, food and discussion. Share your stories and journeys as part of Postcards Home, get busy making your favourite animals with Creature Crafts, hear from photojournalist Angela Catlin about her work with refugee communities and enjoy a performance by local musicians.
When: 21 June, 2pm–4pm
Where: Aberdeen Art Gallery, Schoolhill, Aberdeen, AB10 1FQ
Check out the full festival programme to see what else is happening near you.
Refugee Festival Scotland 2025 is made possible with support from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Glasgow City Heritage Trust, and Flutter UKIs Cash4Clubs programme (delivered in partnership with Sported). Many thanks to all our generous funders.
