2026
Welcome to Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition 2026:
20 Oct - 8 Nov 2026, Tues - Sun, 11am - 6pm, Summerhall, Edinburgh. Free.
14th Out of Sight Out of Mind (OOSOOM), a one-of-a-kind exhibition presenting artworks made by 300 people with experience of mental health issues. It joins the national Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival programme which is in its 20th year, presenting a theme of ‘Reflections’.
The exhibition will be focused in one gallery and will extend its reach with a day of events, and the slow release of hundreds more artworks. All organised by and for people with experience of mental health issues.
Last year OOSOOM lost its regular funding, and the 2026 exhibition has been made possible by donations from the community and supporters via a crowdfunding campaign, as well as a grant from the City of Edinburgh Council's Local Events Fund. Organisers are still seeking the amount needed to continue the project next year.
OOSOOM has become hugely important to many people: it is described as joyful, important, unique, welcoming, inclusive, accessible, validating and lifesaving.
It is more than an exhibition: throughout the year a group of volunteers meet to organise the work, and many individuals, groups and organisations have the exhibition as a focus of their year-round creative work; it becomes a springboard for new ideas, future artworks and collaborations; it contributes to social change, reducing stigma and self-stigma.
Whether this is your first or thirteenth year as a visitor or an exhibitor, we welcome you to witness, reflect, celebrate, and stand with those affected by mental health issues, and each other.
About: As always, Out of Sight Out of Mind is organised by a collective of people with mental health issues, supported by CAPS Independent Advocacy and is part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival. It happens with the involvement and support of numerous organisations in the community and with the help of many volunteers.
The year that: 235 canvases were submitted and displayed.
10L of blue paint were used to take over the War Memorial gallery walls!
SMHAF also had a series of exhibitions and events take place at Summerhall.
We had an uncovered all day event.
In numbers: 235 canvases were displayed, XXX added to the Canvas give away, XX exhibitors. 19 participating organisations. XX regular Planning Group members. XX additional exhibition volunteers. Final tally of exhibition visitors over XX days was XXXX
Explore below: Launch photos, gallery room photos, see and download the 2025 poster, read what it meant to exhibitors and visitors.
Uncovered All Day Event Photos
Exhibition Room Photos
[IMAGE DESCRIPTION: The OOSOOM 2026 poster, A blue painted textured background with a pink and black painted splodge with two white figures and grey hand drawn elements orbiting around.
The OOSOOM logo is in white below is written; ‘An exhibition of art made by with people experiences of mental health issues.’. 20 October - 8 November 2026, Tue to Sun, 11am - 6pm, Late openings The 22 & 29 Oct, until 8pm. At Summerhall, Edinburgh, Free. See website for exhibition events. The exhibition presents a wide variety of themes, some may be affecting, thought provoking, everyday and/or awesome. Followed by supporting organisation logos in black, including; Caps Independent Advocacy, i’Thanks to those who donated during the 2026 crowdfunding campaign, Edinburgh Council, People’s Postcode Lottery Trust, Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, Mental Health Foundation and Summerhall].
2026 Poster
Since 2013 all of the OOSOOM posters have been designed by Michael Dawson in close collaboration with the Planning Group.
Inspired by the theme of 'reflections', the poster contemplates 14 years of OOSOOM’s existence. Two people sit and gaze towards a large mass which is orbited by 14 elements. The people might be reflecting on the many creative voices, collective efforts, moments, connections and meanings made in previous OOSOOM exhibitions and on what is to come this year.
Designed by Michael Dawson with the OOSOOM Planning Group.
What does the exhibition mean to you? 2026
Each year we ask; if you are a visitor to the exhibition, an exhibitor, a friend or relative of one, a project partner or anyone else at all, ‘What does it mean to you?’