23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Stonehouse Arts Trail puts talented residents' skills in the picture
Creative residents are teaming up to showcase their crafts and share skills on a unique visitor trail across the area.
Stonehouse is getting set for a wondrous weekend showcasing the artistic talents of residents – ranging from paintings and pottery to jewellery and sculptures, as well as giving visitors the chance to try out some new crafts.
The village is hosting a fee community art trail on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1, with clever creatives exhibiting their work at 11 varied venues around the area and one in neighbouring Glassford, and even running hands-on workshops for fellow locals.
Colourful trail maps are available online and at participating venues including cafes and community hubs. while organisers hope that this year's inaugural arts celebration will go on to become an annual event.
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The creatives taking part include artists Brian Finnan and Claire Biggar; Kith and Kin potter Lesley Yule and her distinctive quirky creatures and sea-life inspired pieces; crafters from Wonkyheart Glass and Thistle Felts; laser engraver Lindsey McMurtrie; and Glassford's Alan, Louise and Hazel Mairs who create jewellery, linocuts, paintings and prints.
Picture framer Peter Ramsay will demonstrate techniques and allow visitors to his workshop to try their hand at the craft, while artist Roda Young is offering the chance to try pyrography on wood or leather, and Friends of Stonehouse Park are running children's workshops at the historic bandstand to 'create artworks of the park and its fantastic vistas across the Avon Valley'.
Graphic designer John Young will showcase his paintings on slate, wood and materials found on shorelines and riverbanks, as well as his creations for previous village projects 'including a full-size great white shark' of which he adds: 'Everyone should have one in their garage!'
Community groups are taking part, with Sally Pyper's craft group based at the Auld Cross social enterprise cafe showcasing slates, personalised ornaments and jewellery made by members at their weekly Monday sessions; and Stonehouse Men's Shed inviting visitors to see the creations made in their workshop and enjoy their backyard garden featuring flowers, fruit trees, vegetables, beehives and a pond.
Mental health charity Trust Jack foundation, which hosts a number of interest and support groups at its King Street base, will also be using community garden space for both a showcase of young writers' creative talents and for members of the 'knit and natter' group to create woollen flora and fauna.
The Brewbarn cafe and farm shop will also be using its picturesque surroundings to feature the work of photographer Les Hoggan and artists Jenny Parry and Garry Owen during the special two-day event.
A photography competition is also taking place to celebrate the art trail, asking participants to submit their own original landscape photos of Stonehouse 'to highlight talented local photographers and the beauty of the village and surrounding countryside'.
Entries close on May 9 with the winning shot being displayed at at the premises of sponsors Castle Estate Agency during the weekend and framed by Picture Framer (ML); with full details available on the Stonehouse Arts Trail page on Facebook.
Running from 10am to 4pm on both days, the innovative art trail is being sponsored by Stonehouse Business Association and brings together both full-time artists and amateur enthusiasts to share their skills and inspire fellow locals aiming 'to inspire others to explore their own creative talents or get involved in our rich cultural community through the many musical, drama or dance organisations thriving within Stonehouse'.
John Young, one of the event organisers, said: 'Artists will be opening their garages, sheds and gardens for the Stonehouse Arts Trail, inviting residents and visitors to view the art of sculptors, potters, glassmakers, pyrographers, crafters, photographers, illustrators and painters and be inspired.
'Some exhibitors will be selling their art whilst others will be simply participating to share their creations with the public. The event aims to increase awareness of community organisations providing creative opportunities in our village and encourage greater awareness of artists working in our communities.'
He added: 'This initiative follows the success of similar events throughout Scotland, inspiring visitors to discover new talents they didn't know they had – it's the first event of its kind locally and we hope it will become a regular event in the future as well as encouraging other communities to do likewise in promoting arts.'
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