The Maclaurin Art Gallery News
South Ayrshire Secondary Schools Art Awards
The Maclaurin Gallery • December 9, 2019
The bi-annual Senior Schools Art awards are currently open at the Maclaurin Art Gallery and the exhibition continues until mid January.
Two prizes were being competed for: the principal one, The Maclaurin Award, given to the pupil who, in the opinion of the judges, has produced work of outstanding creativity and artistry.
The winner of the Maclaurin Award this year is Mhairi Smeeton from Kyle Academy. No stranger to open competition Mhairi won the Kilgour Award two years ago.
The other major award, The Kilgour Award, named in memory of Jack Kilgour who was a major influence at the gallery in its early days and one of the instigators of the Friends of the Maclaurin organisation.
This year the award went to Katie Bryan from Carrick Academy. Katie also received a Highly Commended in the Maclaurin Award competition.
All images courtesy of Iain Forrest Photography.
Coming Soon from VISUAL ARTS SCOTLAND Private View: Saturday 28 March 2026 2pm. Exhibition Runs: Sunday 29 March - Wednesday 27 May
Always a popular event here at The Maclaurin, is the Annual Ayr Sketch Club exhibition and they had a busy Private Viewing last Saturday. In addition, this year they celebrate having been in continuous operation for 125 years! The exhibition covers 3 galleries, showcasing works from 47 of their exhibiting members. Whilst the show is running, the Club’s volunteers will be on duty to chat about their work. Look out for their special edition brochure, giving an interesting insight into the history of the Club, as well as inviting new members. This exhibition continues until 8 March. President of Ayr Sketch Club - Janette Coughtrie - opening the show. (Image courtesy of Ayr Sketch Club)
Here are a few photos from the recent opening of the Peter Foyle solo exhibition. Peter is well known in the art world here in Ayrshire as well as much further afield, having hailed from Dorset and whose artwork sells internationally. The entire exhibition can be viewed on our website. It’s a beautiful collection of his latest works, heavily influenced by a Spring trip to the north of Scotland on the NC500. Do call in and see it if you can. The exhibition runs until 11 January 2026.