The Secret Venue is based in, the working fishing village of Cockenzie, with its small harbours and beach’s being just 10 miles out of Edinburgh. As well as a working fishing village, it is also a home and has been for many artists such as, the great John Bellany (born in Cockenzie and painted here for many years), and of course, Andrew Crummy (Great Tapestry of Scotland etc.). It was also a regular gallery venue, in the much loved 3 Harbours Arts Festival, which ran for nearly 2 decades . The Secret Venue its self is lucky enough to be hidden in New Street (the locally famous ‘Artists Street’) close to the wonderful historic Cockenzie house and gardens.
The Secret Venue emphasis is on conceptual but accessible art shows and performances. But that is, conceptual art that would not alienate viewer’s -no secret club perhaps, of conceptuality.
Since Corvid times, the gallery has been largely closed -as many were. Though there was a TSV virtual exhibition in 2021. Of late, I am proud to say The Secret Venue has reemerged as now a short film/video TSV Film & Video label, with a surprising 5 productions under its belt by end of that year!
How the name came about:
“When considering the small quirky two-roomed house at the bottom of our new garden and house. My first thoughts were to turn the down stairs into some kind of art room. But then it occurred to me, really I should share my good fortune and show my own -and other artists work perhaps. Shortly after, I met Andrew crummy, who inevitably encourage me to enter Three Harbours Festival as a venue, at which point I invited Gus Meechan to join me in the endeavour. But, as someone pointed out to me, this quirky art space was rather hidden away! -Which suggested, a secret place -a secret gallery, so The Secret Venue came about, it was always my intention to be a bit different.”