Artist in Residence

at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

Applications are now closed for Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s Artist in Residence initiative running between July and September 2026. Future aspiring artists can still apply for residencies in 2027. Please contact us for an application form. 

Email artist.inresidence@virginhotels.com for an application form.

Current Artist

LYNSEY JEAN HENDERSON

Edinburgh-based Lynsey Jean Henderson is a mural artist who takes her inspiration from the flora, fauna and patterns of the natural world. She works across different disciplines and media, from paper and print to paint and interiors, to reflect ideas in the most suitable way.

Lynsey, with assistance from fellow artists Innes Maxwell Maran and Grace Maran, who work together as a family artist collective, The Marangerie, created a hand-painted mural in our newly-decorated Spellbound Suite.

Inspired by the medieval history uncovered beneath India Buildings during its redevelopment, the hand-painted mural brings an enchanted world of woodland, mythical creatures and celestial skies to life. Drawing on medieval art, illuminated manuscripts and decorative motifs, the design takes guests on a journey from the forest floor, past its mythical guardian dragon and upwards towards the stars. 

Previous Artists

JENNIFER COURT

Jennifer Court is a self-taught illustrator inspired by Edinburgh’s historic architecture and hidden landmarks. With a background in art history and theology from Glasgow University, she transitioned from hobbyist to full-time artist, developing a detailed pen-and-ink style rooted in medieval art.

Her connection to Virgin Hotels Edinburgh began over seven years ago with a sketch of the building before its transformation. That illustration, now featuring the hotel’s signature red door, became part of its creative identity, appearing on menus, wedding stationery, and guest cards. Jenny joined us August to December 2025, in The Unicorn Room, a turreted 10th-floor studio with panoramic views of Edinburgh. 

CONSTANTINE..

Constantine.. is an artist deeply inspired by the mythological heritage and early surroundings of his hometown. Entirely self-taught, Constantine.. has always felt a deep calling toward art, a passion he has pursued without formal training.

His work centres on themes of self-reflection and the human tendency to judge others. Through his art, Constantine.. challenges societal norms and explores the duality of good and evil behind a mask which you can view HERE. 

Constantine joined us for the March to June residency 2025

WENDY HELLIWELL

 

For the months of August to October 2024, we were thrilled to have selected a local creative, Wendy Helliwell, as our Artist in Residence. As a visual artist, Wedy takes inspiration from fashion and pop culture in her work. Primarily self-taught, Wendy incorporates multiple materials, such as fashion magazines and clothing, in a sustainable and innovative way to create unique, three-dimensional art forms. Wendy's residency took place during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where Wendy gave discarded Festival materials, such as promotional flyers, a new lease of life to create never-before-seen art pieces, which you can see and purchase HERE.