In 2025, for the first time, the Festival Art Exhibition will be held in the McKechnie Institute.
Like last year, there will be a display of Girvan Academy pupils’ photography and a small selection of their artwork, and an exhibition of children’s artwork for ‘Tattie Fest’ will also be in the McKechnie.
Admission to the exhibition is free, and it will showcase the work of local artists and those taking part in the festival.
The exhibition will run in the McKechnie Institute for four weeks until the 5th of July.
McKechnie Institute Opening hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday 1pm – 4pm
Wednesday 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Thursday 1pm – 4pm
Friday 1pm – 4pm
Saturday 10:30am – 4pm
Sunday Closed
Featured Artists
Samantha Briggs Julie Campbell
Sandra Clelland Sarah Hurn
Janet Laurie Ian Mackenzie
Rod McCance Ross McKay
William Allan McMillan
Samantha Briggs paints from her garden studio in the Ayrshire countryside and it was only six years ago that she rekindled (from school days!) her passion for art and established her business after lockdown in 2022.
Working mainly in acrylics but very much experimenting with mixed media, she aims to portray the less obvious detail with sensitivity and atmosphere, in her painterly, impressionistic style.
She is intrinsically drawn to nature and the outdoor environment; both having played a key part in her previous career. This can be seen from her recurring bee series of works and in her current work, grassland landscapes.
She also has a passion for portraiture and loves watching a portrait come to life on her easel.
Samantha is an artist member of Paisley Art Institute and has been awarded both the Glasgow Art Club and the Louise Burbour Awards for her paintings.
Ian Mackenzie graduated from Glasgow School of Art with a B.A. Honours Degree in Drawing and Painting in 1983.
Ian has exhibited and sold his work regularly since leaving Art School.
Over the years he has had a variety of jobs, but has always carried on drawing and painting.
From 2008 he has run his own business – “Fine Art Originals”.
He has also successfully undertaken a variety of commissioned works including several mural projects, as well as sign-writing, banner painting and stained glass works.
At present he runs his own art classes in Girvan, where he lives and works, and also tutors individual students.
William Allan McMillan was born in the mining town of Cumnock, Ayrshire. In 1959, he attended Glasgow School of Art, 1977-81, gaining B. A. Honours in Fine Art: Drawing & Painting, under the tutelage of David Donaldson, Duncan Shanks and Sandy Moffat.
Allan was a Principal Teacher of Art for 21 years and the Painting Tutor with Auchinleck Adults Community Art Group, 1993-2014
Allan is a Landscape Painter and Poet who is inspired mainly by nature; the changing light and the Scottish landscapes of Ayrshire, Argyll and The Hebrides. Working mainly in pen & ink, pastel and oils, Allan’s style ranges from the naturalistic to the semi-abstract. To date he has produced a number of Poetry and Drawing books.
Julie M Campbell is a mixed media artist. She graduated from Grays School of Art in Aberdeen in 1991. Julie likes whimsical, quirky and nature based subjects. She uses collage and a whole array of materials. She believes in keeping a regular sketchbook practise and is keen to share this enthusiasm by hosting regular drawing groups and art journalling workshops locally. Currently, Julie is exploring and experimenting printmaking in all its forms.
Sarah Hurn moved to the Girvan area three years ago following a life changing car crash. She had various career changes since graduating from Loughborough University School of Art and Design in 1997 including being an embalmer and Prison Officer.
The Ayrshire landscape inspired her to pick up her brushes again and she has gone from strength to strength exhibiting and selling her work and moving into her own studio in the wee old school in Henrietta Street, Girvan.
Rod McCance returned to Scotland several years ago, now living in the former home of his great uncle, William McCance, the renowned Scottish artist. Originally having studied art, Rod diversified into engineering for a period before reverting to painting. Latterly, he lived in Corfu for a time, establishing a successful studio and gallery.
He still produces his vibrant, distinctive oils in his studio in Girvan, has work hanging in both public and private collections all over the world, and was a demonstrator for Winsor & Newton and Daler Rowney.
Sandi Clelland mainly focuses on painting and drawing and uses a variety of mediums from oils and acrylics to graphite. She is inspired by the ever changing sea and skies, the movement of still waters and the power of crashing waves. Coastal themes run through most of artwork.
Janet Laurie makes contemporary handcrafted silver jewellery .
She specialises in Silver and Semi-precious stones with a focus on texture and free flowing designs. She takes inspiration from just about everything around her; changing landscapes , fossils , agates , natural objects . She feels good ideas result from experimental work motivated by the pleasure of designing jewellery. Each piece of her jewellery is handcrafted so most of her designs are unique.
She started learning silversmithing about 19 years ago by attending evening classes at Ayr , Cardonald and North Glasgow College .She has also attended weekend courses at Brazen Studios and Vanilla Ink Studios in Glasgow. “I love learning new and traditional techniques and to experiment with silver .
Ross McKay is a figurative watercolour artist living and working in South Ayrshire. His principal interest has been in portraiture but, due to steadily declining vision over the last year or so which prevents him from seeing what is close, he now concentrates on landscapes. He is interested in light and its effects on what we see. A former president of Ayr Sketch Club, Ross has exhibited at venues throughout the country and has work in numerous private collections.