The Maclaurin Art Gallery News

Paisley Art Institute at The Maclaurin Gallery

The Maclaurin Gallery • May 19, 2023

134th Annual Open Exhibition - 20th May to 25th June 2023

Over four hundred works featuring many well known Scottish artists will be on show at the Maclaurin Gallery in Ayr when the Paisley Art Institute’s 134th Annual exhibition opens on Saturday May 20th. This is the first time the PAI, as it is known, will exhibit outside its home town, the change of venue bought about by a plan from their local council to use the art gallery for other purposes. The Maclaurin Gallery is delighted to welcome such a well respected and well loved institution.

Trios by Liz Knox

John Walker, Chair of the Maclaurin Trust, said of the exhibition.

“Our late colleague and First Patron, Helen M Turner was a keen supporter of PAI and determined to bring the annual show to Ayr when the institute lost its Paisley home.

She introduced us to the team who have produced what is going to be an altogether vibrant exhibition.”


Joe Harlan President of the Paisley Art Institute

“As Paisley’s Art Galleries have been ‘reimagined', we have come to Ayr to the Maclaurin Gallery for this, our 134th annual exhibition. We have enjoyed working with the Maclaurin team and thank them for their efficiency. A healthy submission of work in wide-ranging in styles will make a fine display.

We have some 20 prizes to reward excellence, with some award sponsors choosing their own prize and others being chosen by our invited judges, including hotel owner, artist and collector Bill Costley, Mike Leonard, convenor at Glasgow Art Club, and John Walker, Chair of the Maclaurin Trust.”


The opening on Saturday 20th May will be addressed by Peter McAvoy OBE, a leading amateur golfer and writer.


The exhibition continues until Sunday 25th June.

Fading Light, Seggan by Sandy Murphy

Meet the Artist - Ayr Sketch Club

By The Maclaurin Gallery • February 18, 2025
The first exhibition of the year is Ayr Sketch Club's Annual Exhibition. It's always a popular event with a wide range of Ayrshire based artists. We hosted a ‘Meet the Artists’ event midway through their exhibition as, sadly, their scheduled exhibition launch was cancelled due to storm Eowyn. What a great afternoon it was, bustling with artists and visitors! This exhibition continues until the end of March.

Art Workshops in the Patrons Gallery 2025

By The Maclaurin Gallery • February 17, 2025
Heading into Spring, we are hosting a variety of art workshops in the Patrons Gallery, over the next few weeks. We have already kicked this off with a fabulous Pastel Workshop by Gregory Moore, Artist and Printmaker in February. We didn’t even get a chance to advertise this on our social media pages, before the 2 days were booked up! Similarly, Angela Ortenzi-MacColl has already proved a big success, with another of her collage workshops coming up on 22nd February (no spaces left!). Next on the agenda is Sue Howat from Sixpenny Studio, who will be teaching her interesting watercolour and Indian ink resist technique. There are 2 date options for this workshop, Tuesday 4 March and Saturday 8 March 2025. Anyone interested should register directly with Dianne Gardner (Maclaurin Trust): dianneagardner@gmail.com Further workshops will appear, just keep your eyes on our social media pages - Facebook and Instagram , where the latest up to date information will be advertised.

Ayr Sketch Club Annual Exhibition 2025

By The Maclaurin Gallery • February 4, 2025
This is our first exhibition of 2025 and it's already off to a flying start, despite having to cancel their preview event due to storm Eowyn. We are however holding a MEET THE ARTIST event on SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2025 at 2pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to see some of your favourite artists from Ayr Sketch Club as well as meeting new ones. They will be around to answer your questions and chat, while you see the show. This is a free event, open to all and refreshments are provided.  Just come along and enjoy!
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