Lee McCormack: A Magic Lantern

Edinburgh Art Festival

6—20 August 2026- Thurs—Sat - 12—4pm (archive open Mon 1—5pm)

Craigmillar Now Arts + Heritage Centre, 58 Newcraighall Road, EH15 3HS

Craigmillar Now is delighted to present A Magic Lantern, a powerful and sensitive photography exhibition from Niddrie photographer and former community worker Lee McCormack.

Lee’s personal, joyful images capture pioneering art and community projects across Scotland between the late 1970s to the early 2000s.

McCormack trained with the Film Workshop Trust and went on to work for Craigmillar Festival Society, the Magic Lantern Van, Womenzone and Women’s Aid, engaging with diverse groups across Scotland. 

Five series’ of work are presented in the exhibition: Children Speak Out, an innovative research project leading to the creation of a new adventure playground in Pilton; partnership work between the Film Workshop Trust and Environmental Research Centre, supporting ‘The City Child’ to visit rural landscapes just outside of Edinburgh; and joyful photographs from Pilton Gala Day. These series are shown alongside photographs of play, adventure and photographic experimentation from Lee’s personal collection. We will also be screening selection of films Lee made with the Magic Lantern Van, a tapeslide project that worked with community groups across the Lothians during the 1990s.

You can explore a digital presentation of Lee’s exhibition through clicking on the photos below.