Summer of Hope celebrates creativity and recovery at Perth Civic Hall
Perth Civic Hall was filled with colour and creativity on Monday as people from across Perth and Kinross came together for this year’s Summer of Hope Art Exhibition.
Now in its fourth year, Summer of Hope is a series of free art exhibitions celebrating recovery and the connections that can be made through creativity.
Hillcrest Futures is proud to support Summer of Hope alongside Perth & Kinross Alcohol and Drug Partnership, UNITY community CAFE, The Walled Garden & Wisecraft and All Strong, helping create opportunities for people to express themselves, share their work and connect with others.
Creating something together
Among the artwork on display was a collaborative abstract piece created by residents at HMP Castle Huntly over several sessions throughout Summer of Hope.
Residents attending Hillcrest Futures’ Recovery Conversation Cafe and engaging with the NHS Substance Use team were given a range of materials, including acrylics, spray paint and paint markers, and encouraged to express themselves freely as they built the artwork together.
The process was just as important as the finished piece, creating opportunities for conversation, connection and shared creativity.
Art and recovery
Local artist David Fitzpatrick also had his work on display at Perth Civic Hall.
David attends UNITY community CAFE and SCYD in Blairgowrie and is supported through Hillcrest Futures’ Recovery Cafes. He has used art and creativity as part of his own recovery journey over the years, developing his passion and skills along the way.
Today, his artwork can be found on display in a number of local hotels and restaurants.
His work was exhibited alongside pieces created by people supported by organisations including All Strong and The Walled Garden & Wisecraft, whose groups also attended the exhibition.
Looking ahead
This year’s exhibition marked the fourth year of Summer of Hope, and we would like to thank everyone who created and shared their artwork, came along to an exhibition or worked behind the scenes to make the programme possible.
Summer of Hope shows what can happen when people are given welcoming spaces to express themselves, connect with others and have their creativity celebrated.
After another fantastic year, we’re already looking ahead to what Summer of Hope’s fifth year could bring.
International Overdose Awareness Day
Hillcrest Futures is also supporting events for International Overdose Awareness Day next week starting on Monday 31 August, bringing communities together to remember those who have lost their lives to overdose, raise awareness of naloxone and celebrate recovery.
Find out more about Hillcrest Futures’ International Overdose Awareness Day 2026 events.