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Explore a curated exhibition celebrating contemporary art from across Ayrshire with West Coast Canvas Exhibition and a series of workshops at the Cutty Sark Centre, Ayr.
Entry to the exhibition is free.
Supported by Creative Scotland and South Ayrshire Council.
There will be seven workshops taking place during the exhibition.
Time: 10am – 4pm (Arrive 9.45am)
Cost: £15 per person. Price includes all materials and tution.
Booking is essential as spaces are limited: To book your space email [email protected], stating which workshop you would like to attend.
“The Fairy Funeral at Muirkirk” 60 x 50 cm framed, oil on canvas. A portrayal of the cyclic nature of life in the East Ayrshire mining village of Muirkirk. The navvies who created the industrial landscape stand back respectfully with bowed heads as the fairy funeral passes.
An intriguing workshop practically investigating the use of symbolism in art.
– Learn to paint the invisible by painting the visible!
– Convey your message in the visual language of art!
– How do you paint emotion or a thought?
– Can you paint a book or a poem with one picture?
– Can you paint music?
Frank McNab has work in collections in the US, Canada, France, and Russia. He exhibits in galleries throughout the UK, and his work has featured on book covers, album covers, and posters.
To view Frank’s artwork visit: Frank McNab
Roddy McKenzie is an Ayrshire-based contemporary artist known for his landscape paintings that capture the shifting moods and subtle beauty of Scotland’s west coast. Working primarily in oils, Roddy blends expressive brushwork with a keen sense of atmosphere, often depicting rolling hills, dramatic skies, and coastal scenes around Ayrshire.
To view Roddy’s artwork visit: Roddy Mackenzie
As part of the West Coast Canvas Art Festival, join artist Margaret Johnston for a full-day immersive workshop in oil portrait painting.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to build confidence, Margaret will guide you step-by-step through the essential techniques of portraiture — from capturing likeness and proportion, to mixing skin tones and working with expressive brushstrokes in oils.
Come along for a relaxed, inspiring day of painting and learning — and leave with your own portrait study to take home!
To view Margaret’s artwork visit: Margaret Johnston
THIS WORKSHOP IS FULLY BOOKED
David Tapner is a retired mariner based on the Ayrshire coast with over 30 years of creative exploration across a rich variety of artistic media. He has an affinity with the sea, islands and coastlines, but his work spans numerous genres, from evocative seascapes to lush landscapes and figurative pieces, resisting confinement to any single style.
An accomplished, award-winning artist, David undertakes both private and corporate commissions of various sizes, showcasing his versatility and commitment to tailored client work. David strives to ‘Create a connection between a painting and the viewer, focusing not just on the view but on the atmosphere, mood or emotion’.
To view David’s artwork visit: David Tapner
THIS WORKSHOP IS FULLY BOOKED
Discover the artist within as we delve into the realms of expressive art, combining mixed media and collage techniques. Unleash your creativity on canvas with acrylic paints and an interesting array of mixed media tools. This workshop, suitable for all ages and abilities, strikes a perfect balance between free-spirited self-expression and structured techniques. Join us for an unforgettable experience where the artist’s mindset intertwines with storytelling in composition. Don’t miss this opportunity to embark on a truly enjoyable exploration of your creative potential!
To view Madhumati’s artwork visit: Madhumati Manda
THIS WORKSHOP IS FULLY BOOKED
Don’t miss your opportunity to learn top tips and techniques from award-winning artist Lorna Elliott Hutcheson at her Pet Portrait Workshop.
Learn to capture a true likeness of your beloved pet or favourite wild animal in pastels.
Working from your own detailed reference photo of your pet at A4 size, you will be guided by Lorna at every stage. Learn how to create a realistic likeness in PanPastels and pastel pencils with ease. Capture the personality and playfulness of your subject
Enjoy a relaxing day whether you are a beginner or more established artist- all are welcome.
To view Lorna’s artwork visit: hutchesonart.com
There will be 39 artists exhibiting their work:
Dianne Gardner, Mark Goodwin, Fynn Coughtrie-Gray, John Andrews, John Bell, Wendy Bibby, Michael G Clark, Fynn Coughtrie, Elena Kourenkova, Lorna Elliott Hutcheson, Peter Foyle, Elspeth Guthrie, Claire Harrigan, James Harrigan, Bridget Hunter, Charlie Jamieson, Margaret Johnston, Bobby Johnstone, Lynne Johnstone, Jody Kelly, William Mclean Kerr, Joan Lawson, Vanessa Lawrence, Ray Leaning, Roddy Mackenzie, Madhumati Manda, Graham H D Mckean, Chick Mcgeehan, Frank Mcnab, Ken O’hara, Jacqueline Orr, David Reid, Sandra Ratcliffe, Keith Salmon, Kerry Souter, David Tapner, Tom Watt, Irene C. Walker and Jim Wylie
‘Heatseekers’ – Acrylic on canvas board
Jody Kelly is a self-taught artist living most of his life in South Ayrshire. With a background in illustration and digital design, Jody has been painting seriously since 2010 working with acrylic paint in figurative and portrait work. He has exhibited around the UK and has produced commercial murals in Glasgow at the Clutha Vaults and Virgin Hotel and The Fox in Troon. His approach to his work is to create multiple image composition or overlayed images to complete a single canvas image similar to collage. His aim is for the imagery to portray juxtaposed snapshot moments in time that are surreal, but not unreal.
To view Jody’s artwork visit: Jody Kelly
Lynne Johnstone is a passionate, contemporary artist who works from her studio in Alloway.
She uses mixed media and oils to capture the essence of the natural world. With a special knack for portraying cows, sheep and birds, Lynne’s pieces reflect the animal’s character with a touch of humour.
Through layers of paint, vibrant colours, textured elements and found objects, she also recreates the atmosphere of Scottish harbour villages in her mixed media boat paintings.
Lynne has been an artist member for many years of the Royal Glasgow Institute, The Glasgow Society of Women Artists and Paisley Art Institute.
‘Lockhouse in the Lot Valley’ – Acrylic
Tom studied drawing and painting at Edinburgh College of Art. A career in teaching followed, ultimately working as Head of Department at James Gillespie’s High School in Edinburgh. Tom has had many solo exhibitions throughout the UK and France. He was a professional and council member of Visual Arts Scotland.
He moved to South-West France in 1996 and worked and painted there until late 2017. He has since returned to Scotland and has set up a new studio in Ayrshire.
Tom’s paintings are to be found in many collections throughout Europe, Canada, the Far East and South Africa.
To view Tom’s artwork visit: tomwattartist.co.uk
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