Maclaurin The Maclaurin Art Gallery newsletter May - Aug 2012
Published by the Friends of the Maclaurin
TO y r ERY t en GALL THE IS FREE
WELCOME Editor's Note A lot has happened since the winter edition of The Maclaurin was published. In January and February, Ayrshire’s Senior Cultural Cocoordinator Jenny Renfrew organized two residential weekends for senior school pupils hoping to go on to study art at college. These were held at the Dolphin House at Culzean Castle and you can read about the work that was produced by students from seven Ayrshire schools under the tutelage of two professional artists.
Maclaurin History The Trust was founded as a bequest from the late Mrs Mary Ellen Maclaurin, who, in her Will, provided that curators appointed within the Will should, within five years of her death, build an art gallery and/ or museum in Ayr to be called The Maclaurin Art gallery in memory of her husband.
Who's who at the Maclaurin Art Gallery Board of Trustees Nicholas Kilpatrick John Walker Iain Howat Friends of the Maclaurin Committee Helen M Turner, Patron Paul Williams, Chair Caroline Lorimer, Vice Chair Douglas Gulland, Treasurer Susan Porteous, Secretary David Reader, Membership Secretary Celia Stevenson , Editor Suzan Malcolm
Ann Mott Roy Storie Margo Reader Fiona Robertson Sheena Boyd Louise Miller magazine designed by stephen mcewan e: stephen@kasuledesign.com www.kasuledesign.com
Contact Us The Maclaurin Art Gallery Rozelle Estate, Monument Road, Ayr, KA7 4NQ Tel: 01292 443708 / Fax: 01292 442065 Web: www.themaclaurin.org.uk
Just a few days left to catch the wonderful Liz Knox Singular exhibition that has been delighting audiences for the last five weeks. After that we are delighted to welcome the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour. (RSW) who are holding their annual summer exhibition at the Maclaurin this year. This is a highly anticipated event and is bound to bring in the crowds, as will the annual South Ayrshire School’s exhibition of arts and crafts and the ever-popular Ayr Sketch Club whose members include some very well known Scottish artists. Later in the summer we welcome Edge-Textiles an innovative group of women artists who use textiles in unusual and unexpected ways with their exhibition A Stitch in Rhyme. Contemplation of art is a serious business and I know from experience that no visit to the Maclaurin is complete without a reviving ‘cuppa’ in the Rozelle Tearoom, presided over by Toni Forbes and her charming staff. We celebrate Culture and Cakes in this edition! In the winter magazine I told you about the gift of three Benno Schotz statues from one of the Maclaurin’s most generous benefactors, Sybil Berkley. You will find a photograph of the sculptures in this edition. We are enormously grateful to the Berkleys for their continued support. We introduce a new feature in this edition entitled Showcase, which is designed to give artists a chance to advertise their work and their web address. If you are interested in exhibiting your work with us then the details of how to go about it are on the Showcase page. And finally, Ayr Flower Show, Scotland’s biggest and best takes place in Rozelle Park from Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th August, so come along and enjoy it and be sure to visit the Gallery and the Tearoom while you are there. Enjoy the magazine.
Opening Hours Our Opening Hours All Year Round
Monday, Wednesday to Saturday: 10am – 5pm Tuesday: Closed Sunday: 12noon – 5pm
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Editor
Front cover Flats is by Betty Fraser Myerscough
Notes
Paul Williams, Chairman of the Friends The warm weather at the end of March, was a blessing after the long winter and caused many of us to take our first enjoyable steps in to the spring air to visit the Liz Knox Singular Exhibition which provides freshness and thoughtful contemplation as to where the artist and even the hot sunshine outside came from and is going to.
who has prepared, and coordinated, the children’s quizzes and questionnaires over the years. I express grateful thanks to her for her work in encouraging children to participate in and enjoy many exhibitions. Her successor, Susan Williams will have a fascinating task ahead to maintain the quality of Lynne’s excellent work.
2011 Exhibition Programme
The Friends of the Maclaurin Committee have also developed a spring in their step as they endeavour to continue to broaden the profile of the Gallery through this magazine and other media by reaching out across the West of Scotland. The most valuable method of spreading the news is by word of mouth and a membership drive has been launched in 2012 . My thanks go to Ted Harris for his work during his tenure as Membership Secretary and now a new membership secretary David Reader (maclaurin12@gmail.com) is ready to take the next step forward. A welcome person with excellent IT skills! He advocates that existing members should feel encouraged to ‘Be a Friend who finds a Friend’. Active participation is sought throughout the spring and summer to increase our membership numbers, remembering that every additional member will make a valid contribution, however small, to the greater good of the future of the Maclaurin Art Gallery. Another departing committee member is Lynne Johnstone,
2012’s programme at the Maclaurin Art Gallery is exciting and wide reaching. There is certainly something for everyone over the months ahead. On a personal level, I look forward with keen anticipation to the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour summer exhibition in May and June, and the Annual Save the Children Exhibition and Sale in the autumn.
Chair of Trustees, Nicholas Kilpatrick admires the sculptures. l-r Scarecrow, Duncan Macrae, Lady with Towel.
Finally, have an outstanding summer, full of appreciation of nature and the fine works outside in the grounds at Rozelle as well as inside the Maclaurin Art Gallery via the various exhibitions. To one and all, remember – ‘Be a Friend who DOES find a friend to become a ‘New Friend’ alongside those who already know and value the Maclaurin Art Gallery. Paul Williams Chairman Friends of the Maclaurin Art Gallery
Sybil and Fred Berkley - our most generous benefactors
Sybil Berkley, whose generous gift of three beautiful sculptures by the acclaimed artist Benno Schtoz , first met the artist when he was eighty and she was newly married. The young bride and the artist, with his head of white hair and his propensity for long black flowing robes, struck up an immediate rapport. Several weeks after that initial meeting Sybil asked Fred to accompany her to Benno’s studio. There was a beautiful bronze of Sybil’s head that the artist had lovingly crafted during the preceding weeks when she had sat for him. Theirs was a lifelong friendship, which led the Berkleys to the purchase several Schotz sculptures. These three are her special gift to the Maclaurin Trust. www.themaclaurin.org.uk 3 www.themaclaurin.org.uk
Events & Exhibitions
Celebrating Scottish Watercolour Painting The Summer Exhibition by The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy eye-catching and imaginative waterbased works by many of Scotland’s leading artists. The enormous variety of subjects and styles means there is something to capture the imagination of everyone. The Society has a distinguished history. It was started in 1877 by a group of artists, including William McTaggart and Sam Bough, who wanted to encourage and promote watercolour painting which at the time was considered inferior to painting in oils. It was granted Royal status by Queen Victoria in 1888 and since then the Society has
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Vital Spark at Adrishaig by James S Davis
welcomed as Members many artists renowned for their originality including Sir William Gillies and Sir Robin Philipson. Exhibiting in Ayr for the first time, the RSW show will feature paintings artists from across Scotland alongside several local Ayrshire artists who are RSW Members including Sandy Murphy, James S Davis, Claire Harrigan and Jacqueline Orr. This exhibition is not touring and has been curated especially for the venue so this is the only opportunity to see it and to experience a visual feast of watercolour paintings. 'Wreck' by John Inglis
Find out more about the artists and the Society at rsw.org.uk and view paintings from the RSW Annual Exhibition at www.rswgallery.org.uk
Artists in Residence
Dolphin House Artists in Residene Artists’ Brief
Annie Ferguson and Michelle Letowska Our aim for the Dolphin House residency during two weekends in February and March this year was to encourage the young people to create artwork in direct response to the rich surroundings of the Culzean estate. The weekend focused on drawing as the primary means of expression, drawing in its widest and most expressive sense. Through a wide range of exploratory exercises the weekend was spent reflecting and recording observations, thoughts and experiences in relation to the beaches, the Victorian gardens, woodlands and coastline of Culzean. Working in situ, drawing from direct observation out of doors and on a large scale, are opportunities that allow for a creative freedom and expressiveness that challenges and expands on the students’ predominantly classroom- based activity. Students were encouraged to work with and learn from the methods and ways of working from the artists leading the residency as well as from their peers attending other schools. Experimentation and development are key elements of the weekend and the challenges of working in nature enable the students to create strong, responsive and exciting art works. The weekend culminated in an exhibition In the Stonebarn, Culzean, through which the young people were able to experience presenting and curating their own work to a professional standard for an invited audience. For the artists, it was an opportunity to share the pleasure of our own working practices in the landscape and to participate in the same process of active engagement and artistic response to the inspiring surroundings of the Culzean estate.
Ayrshire’s Senior Cultural Coordinator Jenny Renfrew arranged the two weekends and senior students from these seven south Ayrshire schools took part. Belmont Academy, Kyle Academy, Marr College, Queen Margaret College, Carrick Academy, Girvan Academy, Prestwick Academy.
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Events & Exhibitions at the Maclaurin
Summer Exhibitions at the MAcLaurin Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour - Summer Exhibition 13th May – 10th June
Ayr Sketch Club Members’ Exhibition 29th July – 19th August
This summer, the Maclaurin Gallery is proud to host an exhibition of recent work by members of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour. The society was founded in 1876 and its present day membership includes artists of international reputation, in Britain and Scotland. Part of the remit of the RSW in recent times is to take their exhibitions out to a wider audience across Scotland. Visitors to the galleries at Rozelle will have opportunity to see a diverse range of subject matter and styles executed in watercolour by contemporary Scottish artists.
Ayr Sketch Club, founded in 1901, continues to maintain the spirit of its founding and early artist members with a selection of recent paintings by current members. It is a lively group in which professional, amateur and lay members contribute to the creative activities incorporated in the annual syllabus. For the annual exhibition in the Maclaurin Gallery, works by well-known artists are on display alongside those of aspiring artists, thus continuing the tradition of the club in the promotion of the Fine Arts.
Maclaurin Art Exhibition 2012Art and Craft from South Ayrshire Schools 21st June – 22nd July
13 May -10 June
Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour Summer Exhibition
First launched in 1977, this annual art exhibition showcases the creativity of pupils of pre-5, inclusive and primary schools, and the expressive and design work of S1, S2 and S3 in secondary schools in South Ayrshire. A popular exhibition for all ages to visit, it contains a vibrant and fascinating display of over 1,000 individual and group works, which include paintings, drawings, textiles and jewellery, ceramics and three-dimensional works in mixed media.
Edge - textile artists scotland A Stitch in Rhyme 26th August – 24th September Edge-textileartists-scotland formed when three groups of professional textile artists from Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow, joined together in sharing a common goal to promote excellence in all aspects of contemporary textile art Observed drawing is the foundation of the creative process within ‘edge’, and today’s large membership is drawn from a broad background. The strength of work produced by ‘edge’ members today, lies in technical expertise; diversity of subject matter and a challenging and innovative approach to mixed media art.
ptember 26 August - 24tsSe scotland Edge textile artis A Stitch in Rhyme
21 June - 22 July2012 Maclaurin Art Exhibition Art and Craft from South Ayrshire Schools
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29 July - 19 August
Ayr Sketch Club Membe rs’ Exhibition
More News
DOUBTFIRE GALLERY 19th May -30th June 2012
1-3 South East Circus Place, Edinburgh EH3 6TJ Some readers may remember Madame Doubtfire’s old shop in Edinburgh’s New Town. Some said she had married a French sailor hence the name. Artist Michael Clark remembers it as a place to buy second hand clothing before it was called retro! The dank old shop is now a bright and spacious gallery in Edinburgh’s New Town. David and Jane Frame will be presenting “Quintessentially French” a collection of work by artist Michael Clark PAI, inspired by his love affair with France.
art@doubtfiregallery.com www.framecreative.com/index.html
Helen M Turner. PAI
The Sue Wilkinson stained glass workshop in February
Our Patron, Helen M Turner will be having a busy summer exhibiting in the following major exhibitions at the Gullane Art Gallery and the Gatehouse Gallery In Glasgow Right now however she can be found in The Red Rag in Bath, Eton Contemporary, Thompsons in Aldeburgh and Panter and Hall in London. This image The Cuillins of Skye is for the Paisley Art Institute...
Liz Knox
pictured at her Private View
l - r Sue, Barry, Eleanora and Mary
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Round the galleries in Ayrshire McKechnie Open Art Exhibition Paintings by Local Artists 30th June – 29th September
SOUTH AYRSHIRE McKechnie Institute - GIRVAN Girvan 1960s Leisure and Past Pleasures 31st March – 23rd June Recapture your days of leisure and pleasure in Girvan town and beach through artefacts and memorabilia, film and photographs relating to the 1960s.
During the Girvan 1960s exhibition, the Victorian Room on the upper floor of the McKechnie Institute will be changed in to a temporary cinema showing some short film excerpts of Girvan, its residents and events from times past. Staff at the McKechnie provide escorted tours of the exhibitions and building for visitors. Small World Collections in Miniature 30th June – 29th September
Your Paintings Public Catalogue Foundation Project 7th July – 28th October
This exhibition is open to nonprofessional artists living in the Carrick area of South Ayrshire. Another popular exhibition, it supports local talent with the emphasis on diverse styles and subject matter for all tastes and pockets.
Rozelle House Gallery – summer exhibitions Coastal Connections Artists and Artefacts from the Collections 28th April – 1st July
Judas by Peter Howson
Paper Boat Image by George Wyllie
With the emphasis on the story behind the paintings, the exhibition, Your Paintings, will be shown in two parts to enable visitors to see the range of oil, acrylic and tempera paintings held in the Maclaurin and South Ayrshire Council collections.
This exhibition features paintings and objects from the collections held at Rozelle, which have a connection to the theme of coast and the sea, from detailed harbour scenes to sculptures inspired by fishing communities. Look out for the Crystal Ship by the Scottish artist, George Wyllie, this year celebrating his 90th birthday.
The Public Catalogue Foundation is creating a comprehensive inventory of oil, acrylic and tempera paintings in public ownership in Britain. This is being done in partnership with the BBC to create a vibrant and highly searchable website www.thepcf.org.uk. South Ayrshire Museums and Galleries service is participating in the project and work on photographing your paintings for the website will be carried out during the first few months of 2012.
Your Paintings Part 1: 7th July – 2nd September Your Paintings Part 2: 5th September – 28th October
EAST AYRSHIRE The Dick Institute - Kilmarnock This bi-annual exhibition is very popular during the summer months and attracts visitors of all ages. Many return several times with family and friends. It is a fascinating exhibition, which showcases a miniature world of transport and highlights the enthusiasm of individual collectors.
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The Barque Camelot by William Muir
Kilmarnock College Exhibition Young People’s Gallery Thursday 12th April – Saturday 2nd June Tues – Sat, 11am – 5pm The Young People’s Gallery at the Dick is a dedicated space programmed by and for young people in East Ayrshire giving opportunities to develop and present exhibitions. This exhibition is a sample of work from the HND Art and Design course at Kilmarnock College.
Round the galleries in Ayrshire
The Lives of Great Photographers Main Gallery and North Museum Dick Institute Saturday 25th May – Saturday 25th August Tues – Sat, 11am – 5pm
Festival Of Museums EventDown Memory Lane Saturday 19th May 11am – 4pm Baird Institute
Burns and a’ That Doon Valley Museum Friday 25th May 9.30am – 2.30pm This event is organised through Doon Academy and includes a Basket Weaving workshop and a discussion on the work of Robert Burns. Doon Valley Schools Jubilee Exhibition Thu 12 May – Sat 11 August Open Sundays 27th May, 3rd Jun & 10th June
Old Cumnock
In conjunction with the Ayrshire’s Reel History exhibition, this event will bring Cumnock’s past to life. We invite you to come along and share your memories of the town and surrounding area.
Migrant Mother California 1936
Featuring photographs by William Henry Fox Talbot, Julia Margaret Cameron and Edward Muybridge to Dorothea Lange, Tony Ray-Jones and Weegee, this exhibition highlights some of the most famous images ever produced. The Dick is the only Scottish venue to take part in this tour, which has been organised in partnership with the National Media Museum, Bradford www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk Ayrshire’s Reel History Baird Institute Thursday 10th May – Saturday 11th August Tues – Sat, 11am – 5pm Following on from the successful exhibition, Ayrshire’s Reel History, at the Dick Institute last autumn which included archive film from Kilmarnock and the surrounding area, this exhibition turns its focus to Cumnock, Dalmellington. Provided by the National Library of Scotland and Scottish Screen Archive, The exhibition will be shown at Doon Valley Museum later this year.
The Boswell Book Festival, Auchinleck House Friday 11th May to Sunday 13th May £ 6 - £15 Returning by popular acclaim The Boswell Museum and Mausoleum Trust presents Acclaimed authors celebrate the art of memoir and biography in an exhilarating programme of talks, performances and discussions. Mauchline ‘Queen’s Diamond Jubilee’ Holy Fair 2012 Burns House Museum and throughout Mauchline Saturday 2nd June 11am – 5pm Burns House Museum will once again be open as part of the Mauchline ‘Queen’s Diamond Jubilee’ Holy Fair. Access is free. www.mauchlineburnsclub.com/fair.htm
An exhibition of drawings and paintings by pupils of Dalmellington, St Xavier’s and Bellsbank primary schools and Doon Academy inspired by our community and our Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Except where otherwise indicated all the above events are free.
North Ayrshire Harbour Arts Centre - Irvine Art is playing a key role in the regeneration of the harbourside at Irvine, a winner of a Creative Scotland Creative Places Award along with West Kilbride. The harbourside is already home to The Harbour Arts Centre and WASPS Courtyard Studios and plans are underway for a new Sainsbury’s – sponsored piece of public art by Andy Scott, best known for his Heavy Horse sculpture alongside the M8 between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Afloat Doon Valley Museum Thu 12 May – Sat 11 August Open Sundays 27th May, 3rd Jun & 10th Jun The sea, lochs and rivers have been subjects of interest for painters throughout the ages. They can offer spectacles of stillness and tranquillity or in contrast, movement and turmoil. This exhibition explores this theme and features paintings by Scottish, English and continental artists and it includes work by Eleanor Robertson, the Ayrshire artist who was a member of that group of pioneering women artists sometimes referred to collectively as the ‘Glasgow Girls’.
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Showcase
Showcase The Maclaurin Art Gallery
in Ayr publishes a magazine three times a year, to promote art exhibitions taking place across Ayrshire. If you are an artist and would like to showcase your work in our magazine, this is what you need to do.
www.clachanwood.co.uk
www.fynesand.com
www.frameworktroon.co.uk
www.michaelclarkartist.co.uk
www.dorothyhfisher.com
www.elizabethmccrindle.com
Send a jpg of your work; a square image works best, no larger than 1MB to cmss1943@gmail.com plus a cheque for ÂŁ20 made out to: The Friends of the Maclaurin, 136 Adamton Road South PRESTWICK KA9 2 DP
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Showcase
frankcolclough@tiscali.co.uk
lynnejohnstoneart.co.uk
irenewalker.com
www.helenmturnerfineartist.co.uk
www.suzanmalcolm.com
lizamackay@btinternet.com
ronnierussellart@gmail.com
www.ayrsketchclub.co.uk www.themaclaurin.org.uk 11
The Back Page
Culture and Cakes Toni and Nadia
Five years ago when she was wondering what she could do while bringing up her two small children, Toni Forbes, until then a buyer with a major international coat company struck on the idea of running a tearoom. Not a café – where you are overwhelmed by choices just ordering a coffee – no, a real old fashioned tearoom, specialising in top quality cakes, soup, sandwiches, nothing is too much trouble. If you have a food allergy it will be catered for and you will get something delicious
l - r Lisa,Jennifer,Toni and Nadia
you can eat. The jolly décor and the smiling staff ensure a warm welcome. Toni emphasises that good food and quality customer care are paramount. No visit to an exhibition at the Maclaurin is complete without a visit to the Rozelle Tearoom. Open for breakfast from nine o’clock it is an ideal place to bring children – there are toys and colouring books in abundance to keep them amused. On warm days the tables on the patio facing
SAVE THE CHILDREN 'KIDS COMPETITION WINNERS On Saturday 14 January, Paul Williams, Chair of the Friends of the Maclaurin presented prizes to the winners of the Save the Children quiz competition. There were 32 entries altogether and the three winners got all the answers correct. Erin Keating11, Kenzie Davidson 6; Rebecca Jackson 8, - all from Ayr. 12 www.themaclaurin.org.uk
the sculpture garden are full of people enjoying the sunshine and if you have been walking the dog then it is welcome too. Dog bowls and even gravy bones can be supplied. Here you can have your culture and your cake!