DOZENS of artists and makers welcomed visitors into studios and venues across the peninsula as the annual Cowal Open Studios arts trail returned at the weekend.
A total of 68 artists and makers at 46 venues took part in this year’s four-day event, which began on Friday, September 25.
Despite wet weather, organisers reported visitors travelling from across Cowal and further afield, including Glasgow, Bute and Aberdeen, to meet artists and see their work and techniques first-hand.
The trail was divided into four routes covering communities throughout the peninsula.
On the east route, encompassing the Shore Villages as well as Ardentinny and Lochgoilhead, jewellery maker Natalie Sedgwick and potter Moira Ferguson shared a venue in Kilmun.
Natalie said: “This is always the most exciting part of the year for COS members and it was great to see a number of folk from past years paying us a visit.”
Around Dunoon, the central route featured 17 venues, with Kirn-based former firefighter Gus Paton among those taking part for the first time.
“It’s been lovely to meet visitors from all over Cowal and further afield, including a couple from Aberdeen,” he said.
Fellow Kirn artists Bonita Ellmore and Anthea Gage also welcomed a steady stream of visitors to Yewtree Studio.
Bonita said: “It was a real pleasure welcoming people into our studio. There were a lot of new faces as well as regulars who paid us a visit this year.”
On the west route, 13 artists and makers exhibited across Colintraive, Kames and Millhouse through to Strachur.
A further 16 artists participated at 12 venues on the south route, including Innellan artist Tony Davies.
His landscape paintings depicting scenes from the Scottish Highlands, Africa and Asia proved popular with visitors during what was also his first Cowal Open Studios weekend.
Tony said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my first COS weekend and it was great to host visitors who appreciated my varied landscape paintings.”
Cowal Open Studios chair Hans Calvert said the weather had presented a challenge, but had failed to keep visitors away.
He said: “Clearly the weather has not been our friend this year but, despite the rain, visitors have been out on the trail with many of them from over the water, Glasgow and Bute especially.
“We would like to thank them and all the local folk for their valued support.
“Our members spend a lot of time preparing for this annual event and I am sure that when we have done our usual analysis it will prove to be another rewarding year for them and the group.”
The Open Studios weekend may be over, but there are further opportunities to see work by Cowal artists.
The group’s Spirit of Cowal exhibition continues at Dunoon Burgh Hall until October 10, while Perspectives from the Peninsula will be staged at The Barony in West Kilbride from November 5 to 18.
