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.
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.
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.
Coming Soon from VISUAL ARTS SCOTLAND Private View: Saturday 28 March 2026 2pm. Exhibition Runs: Sunday 29 March - Wednesday 27 May