QMU graduate's creative practice supports women living with cancer
A graduate of Queen Margaret University has been recognised for an innovative arts project that is helping women living with metastatic cancer reflect on their experiences and build peer support networks.
Artist, designer and maker Renate Kriegler Edwards, who completed an MA in Applied Arts and Social Practice at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, is exhibiting ‘Mak-Mind: Reflections’ at Maggie's Forth Valley as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2026.
The exhibition showcases the outcomes of creative workshops that combine making, reflection and peer support for women affected by cancer. During her Master's studies at QMU, Renate evolved the Mak-Mind concept to place greater emphasis on shared experiences and mutual support between participants.
I hoped that the MA Applied Arts and Social Practice programme would help me launch my fledgling project which I had sat on for years, and it did just that! In every module and assignment I found an opportunity to interrogate, formulate and substantiate Mak-Mind, and ultimately to launch it in the real world with confidence. I will be forever grateful for the support I found at QMU in realising Mak-Mind as my new career.
Dr Anthony Schrag, Programme Leader for the MA in Applied Arts and Social Practice at Queen Margaret University, said: "Renate's work exemplifies the socially engaged and collaborative approach we encourage at QMU. Mak-Mind demonstrates how creative practice can support wellbeing, connection and personal reflection, while also creating opportunities for people to share their experiences with others. It's wonderful to see Renate applying what she developed during her studies to make such a meaningful impact, and we're delighted to see her work receiving recognition through the Falkirk Herald and this exhibition at Maggie's Forth Valley."
‘Mak-Mind: Reflections’ is on display at Maggie's Forth Valley until 6 November, inviting visitors to explore how creativity, personal meaning and shared experience can shape people's understanding of living with cancer.
Read more in the Falkirk Herald article.
For further media information contact Lynne Russell, Communications Manager, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, E: lrussell@qmu.ac.uk (copy to E: pressoffice@qmu.ac.uk).
