An Ayrshire Arts Archive
Maclaurin Art Gallery 1976 - 2010
The Maclaurin Art Gallery
The Maclaurin Art Gallery opened in June 1976.
The gallery spaces were created within the former stables and servants
quarters in the East wing of Rozelle House, a listed building that was gifted
to Ayr Burgh Council in 1968 by Commander Hamilton of Monkwood.
There are four distinct gallery spaces, two on each side of the entrance arch. Gallery
One was created within the coach house and the three doorways remain as window
features overlooking the cobbled courtyard. These spaces are leased,
from Ayr Common Good Fund, by the Maclaurin Trust The rent is nominal
and the lease is in excess of 100years.
A further gallery space
was earmarked for an audio visual display and park interpretation section.
Planned as a joint venture between Ayr Burgh Council and the Rotary Club of
Ayr, this centre was not completed and the space remained as an empty but
secure shell. Some
ten years after the opening of the gallery, this vacant space was upgraded
for gallery use. With
no natural light, the space was ideal for installations and exhibitions that
required dramatic or finely controlled lighting. The gallery was fitted
with high quality "stage lighting" control equipment which could
be used for theatrical events in the courtyard. This fifth gallery
space has been used for storage since 1997.
Between 1976 and 1980 the courtyard was used as a theatre space for performances
linked to the Robert Burns Festival. The Henry Moore bronze, Draped
Reclining Figure 1976-79 owned by the district council was displayed
in the courtyard for a number of years before security concerns prompted the
removal to Rozelle House.
The gallery conversion was designed by Cowie
Torry Architects with Ian McGill, as senior partner, overseeing the
project.
Construction work was undertaken by William Paton and Company,
with all design and construction costs
shared between the Burgh Council and the Maclaurin Trust. The
building and the designers received a Civic Trust Commendation in 1977
and an Award from the Glasgow Institute of Architecture in 1979.
From 1985 the gallery was attracting
high value international exhibitions by major artists and was successful
in attracting government indemnity to cover insurance costs for some projects.
In 1996 the Trust considered further developments to the gallery to ensure
that the exhibition and storage spaces complied with the latest conservation
and security standards demanded by exhibitors. Due to the changes
in local authority structures and staffing constraints, it was not possible
to pursue these plans at that time. Had this scheme
been realised, there would have been substantial support from the German
glass manufacturer Schott AG.
In 2010/11, the Trust will be considering fresh proposals to refurbish
and extend the gallery spaces and the facilities for exhibitions, education
activities and collection storage. ARPL Associates are developing the designs
for gallery improvements. Their
proposals show some similarities to the earlier scheme.
The opening exhibition at the gallery was provided by Glasgow's Kelvingrove
Art Gallery and Museum. This display featured works covering a period
of more than two centuries, including items by major Scottish painters
such as Knox and McCulloch. One room within the exhibition spaces were
devoted to contemporary works by British artists.
The first locally produced exhibitions opened in October 1976. A Netherlands
Artist, Mies Murphy Steegers, exhibited a collection of wall hangings together
with paintings by Kilmarnock-based painter Davy Brown. The remaining
exhibition spaces was devoted to a display of Ayrshire Whitework drawn from
the local museum collections. Subsequent exhibitions during the winter
months were based on the local art collections, culminating in the 75th anniversary
exhibition by members of Ayr Sketch Club.
This page is based on recollections by Mike Bailey, Gallery Director 1976
- 1997, and other published sources. Mrs Mary E Maclaurin's Trust
is a Registered Scottish Charity
Gallery Courtyard, showing former coach house (now Gallery One) ca1980.
The paving of the courtyard area was recovered from the previous buildings. ©MBailey
Working Model for Draped Reclining Figure 1976-79 (LH 705) when
sited in the gallery courtyard ca1988. Bronze,
edition of 9 (cast #2) length 99cm. Photograph ©MBailey. Purchased
by Kyle and Carrick District Council with financial assistance from the
Local Museum Purchase Fund, the Scottish Arts Council and Ayr Arts Guild.
