It'll all come out in the wash

In response to Glasgow Doors open festival's 2026 theme "the places that made us," SaltSpace's annual members show will respond to themes of nostalgia, conviviality and community solidarity within third places via "the steamie."

A steamie, or wash house was historically a public laundry room where local women would come together to wash their clothes. Steamies were located within public baths and swimming halls.

They emerged in the Victorian era to promote hygiene amongst the working class populations.

Glasgow was once full of steamies, these spaces are fondly recalled as centres of gossip, friendship and community.

Locals would bond over shared issues, swap stories and tell jokes.

They were a crucial third space in the social fabric of 20th Century Glasgow.

Steamies began to close down in the latter half of the 20th century, as at-home washing and laundry facilities became popular.

They still live large in the collective memory of Glaswegians.

Inspired by the history of the steamie, SaltSpace has invited its members to exhibit artworks that recall and reflect upon the themes of nostalgia, conviviality and community solidarity, intertwined with the third places that helped form our identities.

Third places, social environments which are distinct from the workplace and the home are vital for the creation of a shared sense of identity.

They can be studios, theatres, parks or local pubs. At a time when so many third places are threatened with closure, SaltSpace has invited our members not only to share their fond recollections of these spaces but also present day moments of community solidarity.