The Maclaurin Art Gallery News
Open Studios Ayrshire winners at Paisley Art Institute Annual Open Exhibition
The Maclaurin Gallery • May 30, 2023
A fantastic opening afternoon at the Maclaurin Art Gallery in May for the Paisley Art Institute 134th annual open exhibition! There was a great turn out, some lovely speeches and best of all - lots of fantastic art.
Several artist members from Open Studios Ayrshire were honoured. Amongst the prize winners were Dianne Gardner, Ian Leyden, Bobby Johnstone and Lorna Hutcheson.
Our other members exhibiting at the show were Kerry Souter, Louise McBride, Ian McKinnell, Sandra Ratcliffe and Lisa Brown. So Open Studios Ayrshire were well represented.
This vibrant selection of predominately new work by Scottish artist Lex McFadyen, adorns gallery one. Most of his work was completed in his sunny French studio at Noyers-sur-Serein, Burgundy. Each one a shining jewel on the canvas and, so far, has proved a popular show with visitors. Images here are from launch day on 24 May and show Lex alongside the gallery’s curator Dianne Gardner. McFadyen grew up in Ayrshire before completing his degree at Glasgow School of Art and he went on to have a successful career in fashion. Now he has come full circle, returning to his first love of painting and we are delighted that he has returned to Ayrshire for a solo show! This exhibition runs until 30 June. There’s still time to see it… or call in again for another look! All artwork is for sale and affordably priced, original artwork. The perfect statement piece to transform any wall in your home.
Spring has been busy in the gallery with the launch of both the Glasgow Society of Women Artists' annual exhibition and ‘If You Don’t Ask’ by freelance photographer for the press, Alistair Devine.
The first exhibition of the year is Ayr Sketch Club's Annual Exhibition. It's always a popular event with a wide range of Ayrshire based artists. We hosted a ‘Meet the Artists’ event midway through their exhibition as, sadly, their scheduled exhibition launch was cancelled due to storm Eowyn. What a great afternoon it was, bustling with artists and visitors! This exhibition continues until the end of March.