THEY CAME, they saw and they engaged with the amazing range of art and craft on offer, along the routes of another successful Cowal Open Studios (COS) arts and crafts trail.
Hundreds of visitors, including many from outside of Cowal, enjoyed the creativity of 57 COS members spread across 37 venues on the peninsula.
From Toward to Tighnabruaich, Kilmun to Kilfinan, participating artists reported a regular flow of visitors to their studios.
COS vice-chair, Hans Calvert, commented: “Our four-day arts and crafts trail has, once again, proved to be a great success.
“We have yet to sit down and review all of the data but early indications suggest it may have been our best open studios weekend yet.
“It is all about our amazing collective of artists and makers opening up their working spaces or shared venues to the public and demonstrating their skills as well as making a sale or two.
“It’s clear from talking to our members that many have benefited from this event and they all enjoy the communication with folks visiting their studios and shared spaces.
“Ultimately, we want to attract folks here from across Argyll and ‘across the watter’ and it seems that we have done that this year with many visitors making specific journeys to see what is on offer.
“It’s not just about sharing our art but sharing the environments and landscapes that inspire so many of our members.”
Cairndow-based Louise Day, taking part in her eighth COS arts trail as part of the ‘north’ route, was ‘number one’ on the arts and crafts trail list and commented: “It is always a pleasure to share your art and techniques with the public.
“The arts trail is getting bigger and better with every passing year and it was great to see so many new members taking part” added Louise, originally from Oldham in Greater Manchester, who creates her distinctive artworks using translucent layersofwatercolourinspired by the organic shapes of natural forms found on the shore and in her garden.
Down the road in Strachur, Angela Scriven, who moved to Cowal from Gloucestershire earlier this year, was one of the new members.
Angela said: “It was priceless being able to showcase my art in my own studio.
“It’s normally the case of having to pack up the car with paintings and take them to be exhibited somewhere else.”
Another Strachur artist, Sheila Rodger, opened up her ‘Glencairn’ studio overlooking Loch Fyne to showcase her printmaking methods and creations, adding: “The arts trail really helps to put Cowal on the map, with visitors experiencing the vistas and nature that inform our work whilst travelling between venues.”
Further south in Tighnabruaich, acrylic and oil artist Marie Briggs once again teamed up with fellow painter Monya Wren at the Kilfinan Forest Centre on the ‘west’ route.
“Even on the Saturday when it rained constantly, we saw an impressive number of people popping by to view our temporary gallery space” explained Marie.
Monya added: “I think we helped to add a bit of colour to what was a very ‘dreich’ day and it was fascinating to see visitors’ reactions to our artworks over the four days.”
The event, briefly mentioned on STV’s Whats On Scotland round-up, featured several artists ‘sharing spaces’ including Skye Beautyman and mum Pauline who put their artworks on display in Sandbank.
Skye, currently studying Costume Design and Construction at QMU in Edinburgh, commented “It was great to be part of such a creative weekend and I enjoyed exhibiting with my mum and her beautiful pottery.”
Pauline added: “This was the first time we’ve exhibited at COS together.
“I’ve taken part for over ten years. I took a year off in 2024, as I was busy with different projects but I was delighted to be back again this year, especially with Skye whom I’m very proud of.”
She added: “I really enjoy open studios. In person events are the perfect way to talk to people about developments in my work and get feedback too. Most of the fun comes from chatting to everyone and hearing their stories.”
For more details visit www. cowalopenstudios.co.uk
