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Art

"he has filled him with divine spirit, with skill, intelligence, and knowledge in every kind of craft, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, in every kind of craft. And he has inspired him to teach..."

Exodus 35:31-34

St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral is filled with art of all kinds, as well as host to various temporary exhibitions and participatory workshops. We also have the famous Song School murals, by Phoebe Anna Traquair (1852-1936). Finally, our artist-in-residence, Jonathan Baxter, leads A+E, our partner organisation focussed on art and ecology in the broadest sense.

Artworks at the Cathedral

St Mary's Cathedral is home to a series of superb artworks, all free to view. Read more about them here.

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A+E (Art and Ecology)

A+E is the Cathedral's residential Art and Ecology organisation. Led by artist-in-residence Jonathan Baxter, A+E puts on events and workshops, runs regular volunteering sessions in the Cathedral grounds, and helps explore what a Cathedral can mean in the 21st century.

The Song School

The Cathedral's Song School is home to the Phoebe Anna Traquair murals, a spectacular series of wall-paintings.

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Exhibitions and Workshops

The Cathedral is host to various workshops, exhibitions and art events throughout the year. Have a look below for a selection of what's one, and see the full list here.

  • Exhibition: A Thousand Cranes
    Exhibition: A Thousand Cranes
    Multiple Dates
    Sat 01 Aug
    St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral
    01 Aug 2026, 09:00 – 17:00
    St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Pl, Edinburgh EH12 5AW, UK
    A kinetic sculpture – designed, facilitated and assembled by Jane Dickinson and Kate Hajducka, and friends.
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  • Exhibition: Active Travel, Active Hope
    Exhibition: Active Travel, Active Hope
    Multiple Dates
    Sat 01 Aug
    St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral
    01 Aug 2026, 09:00 – 17:00
    St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Pl, Edinburgh EH12 5AW, UK
    In May 2026 A+E organised a 24-hour relay around the perimeter of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral. This exhibition shows some of the banners and pennants made for the relay alongside video documentation of the event.
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  • Exhibition: Avian Ark + Alchemical Aviary
    Exhibition: Avian Ark + Alchemical Aviary
    Multiple Dates
    Sat 01 Aug
    St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral
    01 Aug 2026, 09:00 – 17:00
    St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Pl, Edinburgh EH12 5AW, UK
    Two installations by David Faithfull. Avian Ark is a floor based sculptural installation comprising 60 wooden ‘flasks', representing different birds; and Alchemical Aviary is an investigation into Climate Change using Alchemical Birds as a metaphor for ecological Transmutation.
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  • Song School Tours: the Traquair Murals
    Song School Tours: the Traquair Murals
    Multiple Dates
    Mon 10 Aug
    St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral
    10 Aug 2026, 10:45 – 11:30
    St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Pl, Edinburgh EH12 5AW, UK
    See the amazing murals of Phoebe Traquair in the Cathedral's Song School. Edinburgh's best-kept secret!
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  • Plants are our Teachers 2026
    Plants are our Teachers 2026
    Multiple Dates
    Sat 05 Sept
    Chapter House, St Mary's Cathedral
    05 Sept 2026, 10:30 – 06 Sept 2026, 16:30
    Chapter House, St Mary's Cathedral, Palmerston Pl, Edinburgh EH12 5AW, UK
    These popular workshops are participatory art workshops, suitable for all levels of ability, from beginners to advanced.
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