We are delighted to announce Masks – this year’s Pomegranates Festival exhibition, which features over 20 hand-crafted Venetian and world dance masks created by Edinburgh-based artist Lorraine Pritchard. The exhibition is complemented by a new documentary film by Franzis Sánchez from this year’s Venice Carnival. The exhibition reflects the dual focus of our Pomegranates Festival of international traditional dance in 2025 – masks and intangible cultural heritage. The Venice Carnival is a significant example of Intangible Cultural Heritage, recognized by UNESCO as a living tradition encompassing various practices, expressions and knowledge passed down through generations, including masquerade balls, street performances and the unique cultural identity it embodies.
Specifically curated for the Pomegranates Festival by the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland, Masks is Lorraine’s first solo exhibition in a public institution. An accomplished mask maker in the Venetian style, Lorraine originally studied model making at Glasgow College of Building and Printing and in 2018 completed a course of study in Venetian mask making with master sculptor and mask maker Agostino Dessi in Florence, Italy. There, she learnt the traditional techniques of this heritage craft that have been passed down through generations. Ever since her fascination for the intricate and transformative power of masks deepened.
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Masks exhibition is free and open to all. No need to book in advance. It could be viewed daily 10am to 6pm, and until late on selected nights from Thursday, 3 April to Monday, 12 May 2025 at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR. Please note that access to the exhibition area may be temporarily closed for other events due to the public nature of the space. Plan your visit here.
PREVIEW EVENT Saturday, 5 April, 5pm. Free but ticketed. Register here
The exhibition Masks continues with a display entitled Venice Carnival featuring over 10 masks and books about Venice and the Venice Carnival. It is within walking distance of the Scottish Storytelling Centre. It can be viewed at the Edinburgh Central Library, in the Victorian Display Area up the Main Stair. Free and open to all. No need to book in advance. Showing from Tuesday, 1 April until Wednesday, 30 April 2025 from Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm and until 8pm Monday to Wednesday. Plan your visit here.
Lorraine Pritchard at Venice Carnival 2025 wearing her Azura mask. Costume made in collaboration with Edinburgh-based sustainable designer Alison Harm of Psychomoda. Image by Uwe Hamhaber
Venetian masks have a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages when they first became an integral part of Venetian culture and the Venice Carnival. Originally, masks allowed wearers to conceal their identity and social status enabling them to interact freely across different social classes. However, when Napoleon banned the Carnival and the wearing of masks in 1797 the tradition almost disappeared until it was revived in the late 20th century by artisan makers who still practice today. Lorraine recently showcased her masks at this year’s Venice Carnival (22 February to 4 March 2025) and was the only Scottish artist to be represented at the event.
To complement the exhibition, Spanish photographer Franzis Sánchez filmed Lorraine at this year’s Venice Carnival, her Edinburgh studio and across iconic Edinburgh sites. The short documentary is showing as part of the exhibition alongside a collection of other photographs also taken at the Carnival. Franzis is a professional photographer based in Edinburgh who recently completed his HND in Photography at Edinburgh College. In addition, there are a series of fine-art prints by Franzis and other world photographers.
Lorraine Pritchard at Venice Carnival 2025. Image by Franzis Sánchez
Artist Lorraine Pritchard said:
“I am beyond excited to be exhibiting my work at the fourth Pomegranates Festival. Masks have always played a pivotal role in dance performances, providing endless possibilities as a powerful conduit in the storytelling of traditional dance. As an artist, mask maker, and model, my passion for masks is deeply intertwined with my love for Venice Carnival and the rich heritage craft of mask-making. Through my masks, I aim to create a dialogue between the past and the present, drawing on those historical influences while celebrating the beauty of transformation. I hope that everyone who visits this exhibition will be inspired to see the world through a different lens and embrace the beauty of transformation.”
Wendy Timmons and Iliyana Nedkova, Pomegranates Festival Co-curators said:
“No doubt about it, if there’s anything responsible for bringing the world of masks and traditional dance into our minds, it has got to be the Carnival in Venice. Ask someone to describe a dance mask, they’re likely to answer with a general description of these Venetian masks that have been around since the 13th Century. We are so pleased to present this collection of work by Edinburgh’s own Venetian Carnival mask master Lorraine Pritchard complemented by some recent footage from the Carnival event, alongside the series of brand new world dance masks we commissioned specifically for the Pomegranates festival finale Hidden Faces”
Lorraine’s masks can also be viewed as part of Venice Carnival curated by the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland at the Edinburgh Central Library (1-30 April 2025). This display includes some of Lorraine’s Venetian masks and moulds alongside a spectacular array of books about Venice and the Carnival selected from the collection at Edinburgh Libraries. One of the highlights is a costume and mask inspired by Giacomo Casanova (1725-1798) reflecting his flamboyant style and adventurous spirit. This year’s Carnival in Venice celebrated the 300th anniversary of Casanova’s birth and Lorraine’s mask, crafted using traditional Venetian techniques, symbolizes the intrigue and mystery that surrounded his life.
Cecylia O’May, Acting Library Supervisor in the Edinburgh, Scottish and Reference Collections at the Edinburgh Central Library said:
“Following the success of our last year’s Pomegranates Festival exhibition “Dance Around the World” which we hosted at our exhibition space on the Mezzanine, we are delighted to once again be collaborating with our friends at the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland. Great to be able to extend Lorraine’s festival exhibition to our Victorian display space located on the main stairway. We would like to encourage our visitors and readers to get up close and personal with Lorraine’s exquisite Venetian masks, as well as unmask the secrets of the mask-making heritage craft, plus browse through books about Venice and the Carnival.”
In addition to the masks and books, the exhibition features nine fine-art prints by four photographers – Attilio Bruni, Franzis Sánchez and another – Margaret Ann McKennan and Gianluca Moretto. These fine art prints were kindly provided by Giclee UK, Edinburgh through an innovative partnership.
Darren Livingstone of Giclee UK said:
“We are proud to be the official sponsor of the Pomegranates Festival exhibition by Lorraine Pritchard across the two sites – the Scottish Storytelling Centre and the Edinburgh Central Library. As a leader in fine art printing and artwork digitization, Giclee UK is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the beauty of artistic expression. By partnering with the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland towards this beautiful exhibition of masks and books, photographs and films, Giclee UK brings a commitment to excellence, ensuring that each piece of photographic artwork is presented in its finest form. Join us in supporting the artist, their vision, and the transformative
power of art, while enjoying exclusive visibility and recognition throughout the festival.”
Please find further details about Lorraine Pritchard’s practice here: https://rainemakerstudio.uk/
The Pomegranates Festival (25 – 30 April 2025) is an annual celebration of new dance theatre and screen dance shows, as well as new productions and residencies. This is the fourth edition of Scotland’s annual festival of international traditional dance, initiated, curated and produced by the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland. It is presented in partnership with TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland), Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Central Library, Dance Base and the Scottish Storytelling Centre. The Pomegranates Festival is funded by Creative Scotland through TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland); the City of Edinburgh Council and University of Edinburgh through the Edinburgh Local Community Fund. For tickets and more information visit https://www.tdfs.org/pomegranates
Established in 2014, Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland is the only national organisation of its kind dedicated to the advancement of all forms of traditional and social dance. It advocates for and supports the diverse Scottish and world trad dance forms practised in Scotland ranging from Ceilidh to Old Time, Swing to Hip Hop as an integral part of our global intangible cultural heritage. It provides free membership to over 250 traditional dance artists and organisations and supports them through three major routes – productions, residencies and festivals such as Pomegranates. A registered charity (SCIO SC045085) and a founding member of Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland (TRACS) www.tdfs.org
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TRACS (Traditional Arts & Culture Scotland) (SCIO, SC043009) is a co-operative network that champions our shared traditions of music, song, storytelling, dance, crafts, customs and local languages. TRACS celebrates the local distinctiveness of Scotland’s places: our intangible cultural heritage. TRACS brings together the Traditional Music Forum (SCIO SC042867), the Scottish Storytelling Forum (SCIO SC052330) and the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland (SCIO SC045085). Supported by Creative Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council. www.tracscotland.org
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Moray House School of Education and Sport has been making a major contribution to the fields of education and sport for 175 years. Moray House staff, students and alumni have influenced, improved and transformed learning, teaching and policy worldwide. The innovative and unique Master’s in Dance Science and Education gives dancers the scientific theory and specialist skills to push the frontiers of dance and dance education.
Moray House School of Education and Sport
Centre for Research in Education, Inclusion and Diversity (CREID)
MSc Dance Science and Education
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Creative Scotland is the public body that supports culture and creativity across all parts of Scotland, distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery, which, now in its 30th year, has supported over 14,600 projects with more than £501.9 million in funding through Creative Scotland and its predecessor, the Scottish Arts Council. Further information at creativescotland.com and the social media channels on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. More about the value of art and creativity in Scotland at www.ourcreativevoice.scot
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Giclee UK is a leading company specializing in fine art printing and artwork digitization. It ensured the fusion of cutting-edge technology and artistic mastery, showcasing a stunning collection of works that celebrate creativity and craftsmanship. With over 20 years of industry experience and a dedication to staying at the forefront of
emerging trends, Giclee UK maintains the highest quality for our customers. Beginning in 2025, the company is enhancing its operational capabilities and expanding its service offerings by moving to the UNIT 69 at Peffer Place in Edinburgh. Further details: www.gicleeuk.com
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