The Maclaurin Art Gallery News

Rozelle Tree

The Maclaurin Gallery • October 1, 2018

Visitors to Rozelle Park are fascinated by this intricately carved tree trunk. Its a trunk with a story. It is the remaining part of a magnificent cedar of Lebanon that graced the front of Rozelle House and the Maclaurin Gallery for as long as anyone can remember, as the tree is possibly two hundred years old.

Sadly a winter storm blew such a large branch of the tree down that tree experts decided that, as the old tree had been propped and held together for so many years, it was no longer safe. Rather than taking it down to the ground it was decided to save as much of the stump as possible and the carvings of the interesting figures and faces - done by the sculptors who fashioned the WW1 soldiers - are the result. These have an enduring fascination for visitors of all ages.

RSA200: Celebrating Together Opening

By The Maclaurin Gallery • July 3, 2026
There was a huge amount of preparation for these two exceptional exhibitions, celebrating RSA200 years and we enjoyed a joint launch event, kindly opened by Councillor Alec Clark, Portfolio holder for Tourism and Culture, along with Gallery Engagement Officer Erin Crossan and Trustee Michael Clark. In addition to the RSA200 shows, Michael and Ian McNicol got together and curated the excellent PRINTMAKING: A RECENT HISTORY exhibition which is hanging in gallery one. Using the words of Dianne Gardner, we have 3 exhibitions for Ayrshire and a real spirit of cooperation in the making. Call in and see these special shows, here throughout the summer. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see selected works from the Maclaurin and South Ayrshire Council’s permanent collections, enhanced with fabulous artwork on loan from the Royal Scottish Academy. Guest RSA artists include Bronwen Sleigh, Ade Adesina and Frances Walker.

Well Connected: The Royal Scottish Academy and The Maclaurin Collection

By The Maclaurin Gallery • May 28, 2026
Saturday 20 June - Sunday 30 August 2026 Founded in 1826, the Royal Scottish Academy supports art and architecture in Scotland. It is an independent, non-governmental institution, governed by Members to operate on a charitable basis.

Private View for Future Folklore: The Art and Craft of Storytelling

By The Maclaurin Gallery • March 31, 2026
We were delighted to host the Private View for Visual Arts Scotland on Saturday afternoon and what a turn out it was!  This exhibition FUTURE FOLKLORE: THE ART AND CRAFT OF STORYTELLING has over 300 pieces of contemporary art on display and, as a result, we also had a very busy Private View! The exhibition was opened by Chair of the Maclaurin Trust, John Walker, along with Amanda Airey, Trustee of Visual Arts Scotland. Visual Arts Scotland supports over 1400 artists and makers in and around Scotland and we are very fortunate that VAS brings this major show across to Ayrshire. Please take advantage of it being right here on your doorstep! As always, entry is free to the gallery and all artworks for sale. Keep an eye out for some of our Ayrshire artists taking part as well.