The Maclaurin Art Gallery News
Society of Scottish Artists 125th Annual Exhibition
The Maclaurin Gallery • November 21, 2023
Sunday saw the opening of the SSA's Annual Exhibition and we are delighted to host this special event here at the Maclaurin, the first time the exhibition has been shown in the West of Scotland. The gallery was super busy as we heard opening speeches from the Chair of the Maclaurin Trust, John Walker and SSA President Vasile Toch. There was also a moment of reflection and tribute to a very special lady, our vice chair, Celia Judge, who recently passed.
This show runs until 14 January and all artwork is for sale, with 5 galleries brimming full of wonderful wall art, sculpture, installations and more. If ever there was a must see exhibition, this is it!
Improvements to the Courtyard Things are happening in the courtyard thanks to some amazing volunteers who have given up their time to help Friends of the Maclaurin maintain the planting area in the courtyard. Over the last few years the Friends have renewed the seating outside the gallery, providing benches and picnic tables for visitors to sit out in the sunny weather. This year we lost our plant supplier and so a group of green fingered volunteers kindly stepped up and planted a new herbaceous border in our big trough on Thursday! They’re a hardy bunch too, with all the work done in the rain! It's an amazing job and huge thanks to the newly formed Courtyard team, Pattie Kewney, Geoff Caldwell and Kayte Mapes. When we spoke with Pattie on Thursday she summed up the day’s efforts, explaining, “We’re soaked to the skin but pleased with the result! There is always a good feeling about volunteering and contributing what we can for the enjoyment of the community.” Yes indeed, everyone benefits from this and we all appreciate the team’s sterling effort. A few photos, before and after, and, in case you wondered how many potted plants you can fit into a compact car...
More excitement at the weekend, along with some good weather, when we launched the CELEBRATING JOHN BYRNE exhibition on Saturday. We were delighted to welcome John Byrne’s daughter Celie, to open the show.
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.