June 04, 2013

Entertainment & Arts Management  Professor Dr. Xela Batchelder is working to bring Edinburgh Fringe Festival artists to Philadelphia this fall through the Emerging International Xchange (EIXchange), which she co-founded for emerging artists and curators with aspirations to exhibit internationally. EIXchange’s role is to facilitate and aid emerging artists and curators in building that international networks. The organization is now engaged in presenting two exhibits – both titled “1759” – addressing the historical ties between Edinburgh and Philadelphia. 

“In 1759, Benjamin Franklin took his first journey from Philadelphia to Scotland,” says Batchelder. “Franklin eagerly participated in the intellectual and cultural life of Edinburgh and formed lifelong friendships with some of the most important figures of the Scottish Enlightenment. In honor of that historic cultural exchange, EIXchange has assembled the ‘1759’ exhibit that will showcase several talented, Philadelphia artists.” The Philadelphian artists will be exhibiting their work in Edinburgh’s award-winning creative arts hub, Summerhall, from early this June  to the end of July.

‘1759’ in Philadelphia is still being arranged, but Batchelder hopes to install it for this October and November. “We have been able to secure funding for the first part of the exchange and we’re now pursuing grants to support  the show in Philadelphia,” she says. 

Dr. Batchelder is one of the leading experts on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe – the largest annual arts festival in the world, and she is often sought out to advise new and emerging fringe festivals. Over the past 17 years, Xela  has participated in the Edinburgh Festival as a producer, venue manager, artistic director, executive director, performer, director, playwright and educator, and now she brings EAM students to Edinburgh each year to learn and work.