The Maclaurin Art Gallery News

Winter Season 2025

The Maclaurin Gallery • October 6, 2025

Our winter season is off to a racing start with the launch of the 31st Annual Save the Children exhibition over the weekend.


We had very busy galleries and plenty of sales and interest in the huge array of hanging work on display. In addition, there is a wall of miniatures artworks for sale, a raffle prize of a dazzling abstract painting from local artist Sandra Ratcliffe, a children's competition and a silent auction for a chance to bid on a commissioned animal portrait by Lynne Johnstone.


The show runs until 2 November and this year the Save the Children Committee have organised an exciting additional treat!


We look forward to welcoming Ozzy the barn owl to the courtyard on SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER from noon til 3pm. This is a free family event and also an opportunity for artists to sketch from life!


Ozzy will be there with some of his feathered friends and his handler, Gillian Borland of Hoots Owls and Wedding Wings. Look out for the painting of Ozzy in the exhibition!

Coming up on Saturday 18 October will be the launch of PETER FOYLE SOLO EXHIBITION in gallery one.


Peter is well known in Ayrshire, working from his studio and framing gallery in Troon, a well established Scottish artist, whose paintings capture warmth, atmosphere and light.


We look forward to welcoming Peter to the gallery along with his latest work.

Saturday 25 October sees the launch of another annual event here at the gallery… the latest collection of award winning photography from the talented members of Ayrshire Photographic Society.


The latter exhibitions will take us through to our 2026 programme and we look forward to welcoming you in to see them. A special mention to our partners in Rozelle House who have just completed an amazingly spooky transformation of their downstairs galleries into a chilling graveyard and creepy house for the month of October. Free family fun and activities await in this immersive Hallowe'en exhibition. No booking required

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.

Future Folklore: The Art and Craft of Storytelling

By The Maclaurin Gallery • March 6, 2026
Coming Soon from VISUAL ARTS SCOTLAND Private View: Saturday 28 March 2026 2pm. Exhibition Runs: Sunday 29 March - Wednesday 27 May

Ayr Sketch Club – Celebrating 125 Years

By The Maclaurin Gallery • January 30, 2026
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)