The Maclaurin Art Gallery News

The Collaboration Process - John Byrne

The Maclaurin Gallery • August 20, 2025

We are delighted with the feedback from visitors to our current exhibitions and in particular the ‘Celebrating John Byrne’. All down to our special collaboration with The Glasgow Print Studio, The Royal Scottish Academy, The Fine Art Society, Edinburgh and of course, John’s daughter Celie Byrne. All resulting in this unique collection of Byrne’s work, some of which is being displayed in public for the first time.


Whilst the exhibition has been running, we have been able to host 2 sessions of print demonstrations relating to Byrne’s work, thanks to Master Printer Ian McNicol, revealing the collaborative process between artist and printer. The audiences were given a fascinating insight into life in the Glasgow Print Studio when Byrne was around. Ian himself, creating many of Byrne’s prints, some of which form part of the exhibition. With etching plates from the Byrne archive, Ian talked us through the preparation and went on to print off a few of the familiar images on an etching press. These hour long sessions were well attended and enjoyed by all.


Here are some photos from the sessions. The Byrne exhibition continues until 31 August, there’s still time if you haven’t been in yet!

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.