PRESS RELEASE – DUNOON OBSERVER – 18th July 2025

Young artists see the woods for the trees

COS competition attracts over 200 entries

There’s a lot of budding, young artistic talent across the Cowal peninsula if a recent competition organised by Cowal Open Studios (COS) is anything to go by!

A total of 8 junior schools across Cowal took part with 200 entries received from pupils aged 8 to 13.

Jenny Philips of COS explained: “The subject for entries was ‘If you go down to the woods today’ with a number of COS artists contributing to a schools pack which included ‘woods’ based work that they had produced.

“The competition has proved to be a fantastic success with the quality of drawings and paintings suggesting that we have a lot of creative young artists in our part of the world.

“One teacher commented that her classroom had been transformed into an art studio with all of the pupils’ works in progress!

“All of the artworks submitted were judged by a panel of COS members with the works of 15 winners set to be exhibited at Dunoon Burgh Hall from the 6^th September until the 11^th October as part of the ‘Colourful World exhibition,” added Jenny who will be one of 57 artists and makers from across Cowal taking part in the annual Open Studios weekend (September 26^th to 29^th).

 

 

Todays (27 June 2025) coverage of Cowal Open Studios www.cowalopenstudios.co.uk news, with thanks to our PR consultant Rob Wilkinson and Dunoon Observer for their coverage of local group activities.

Dramatic increase in new members for Cowal artists’ collective

Cowal established as a key creative hub in Scotland

Cowal Open Studios (COS) has seen a surge in membership for 2025 with 22 artists from across the peninsula joining the network as they gear up for a number of local exhibitions and their ever- popular open studios weekend in September (26^th to 29^th).

Hans Calvert, V.Chair of COS commented “It has been very encouraging to see such a big increase in membership with seven of our new members being recent arrivals to the area, drawn here and inspired by the dramatic vistas.

“We now represent almost 60 artists and makers who firmly establish Cowal as a real hub of creativity in Scotland that’s up there with the established artistic communities of places like West Kilbride and Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway.

“We reached out to all parts of the peninsula with an extended social media and PR campaign and are gratified that our call for new artists has been so successful, especially given the economic pressures of our times.”

“Together with our valued returning members, we now have a wonderfully eclectic mix of talented creatives in the collective including multiple award-winning artist and former wildlife crime Police officer Paul Henery who has recently settled in Tighnabruaich from Northumberland.”

“We’ve also welcomed Strachur-based Ceci Alderton to our ranks who has been making stunning woolly hats for over 40 years. As worn by the likes of acting legend Peter O’Toole in the film Venus and comedian Susan Calman, Ceci has sold an incredible 100,000 of her hand crocheted creations to date and will be exhibiting her work at Holy Trinity Church in Dunoon during the Open Studios weekend alongside fellow textile artist Anne Armstrong, Paddy Allen and Margy McNally.

“It bodes well for the future of the creative arts in Cowal with our annual showcase weekend in late September set to be bigger and better than ever!” added Hans.

Francis Cox from Tighnabruaich is another new member of COS and mainly works with acrylics.

Frances, a former teacher based in Bristol, moved to Cowal in 2020 and paints with her arm rather than her hand, with large brushes and vigorous movement! Most of her work features seascapes and skyscapes.

She commented: “Since moving here I’ve started painting more seriously. How could anyone not be inspired by this sublime place?”

Young ceramic artist Lily Vaughan is another new addition to the community with her skills nurtured by Michaela and Chris Goan of Innellan-based Sea Tree Pottery and Pauline Beautyman of Sea Drift Pottery.

Lily explained “I first had a go on the wheel two years ago and still remember the feeling of complete relaxation I felt just from touching the clay. It was then that I realised that this is what I want to do!

“Having left school after completing 5th year, I wasn’t sure what was next for me but I knew it had to involve ceramics. Pauline and Michaela have been kind enough to show me the basics and helped me build my skills and knowledge.

“I often use brightly coloured glazes as I have always loved bold, contrasting colours and I enjoy adding illustrative elements to my work inspired by nature and all its beauty,” added Lily.

Accomplished illustrator Walter Newton moved to Dunoon in 2017 from Birmingham.

He explained: “I graduated in Visual Communication from the Glasgow School of Art in 2003 and in Communication Art from the Royal College of Art in 2005 and have worked as an illustrator ever since with clients like The Guardian, Mojo, Disney Pixar, Top Gear Magazine and things like that.

“There are two sides to my work. I have a very digital, pixel-based side and a much more analogue, hand-made side. The pixel-based stuff is really more like a puzzle, where you are working out which squares you turn on and off in order to make an image look like you want. On the flip side you have the likes of silkscreen where you have to follow a definite process in order to make successful prints,” explained Walter.

COS will be holding a taster exhibition for new artists at Dunoon Burgh Hall (DBH) from the 16^th to 26^th July rounded off with an Artfest upstairs on the final day. There will also be an autumn exhibition at DBH running from the 6^th September until the 11^th October, bookending the open studios weekend

Art really is on the move in Cowal it seems!

For more information visit www.cowalopenstudios.co.uk

 

Blairmore artist showcases Endangered Language installation

Blairmore-based artist Tracey Exton could be about to hit the road with her award-winning Endangered Languages Project installation.

The artwork, which was recognised with the RSA New Contemporaries Award and John Gillies Award in 2024, features over 2,500 languages, identified by UNESCO as likely to become extinct by the end of the 21^st century, hand-printed onto 50 meters of delicate muslin.

Tracey’s installation will be officially launched on Saturday 5^th April at The Barony in West Kilbride with an accompanying performance of Scottish Gaelic songs and poetry.

Tracey, a member of the Cowal Open Studios network who are currently exhibiting at The Barony, explained: “I am hoping to get Creative Scotland funding in order to tour the Endangered Languages installation across The Highlands and islands of Scotland where Scottish Gaelic is still spoken.

“The artwork could also tour internationally with the soundscape changing to reflect endangered regional languages.

“The installation is described as a poignant exploration of linguistic loss and cultural fragility. It is designed to be dynamic and adaptable, transforming as it moves across different locations, with the artwork reconfiguring itself to engage with each new space.

“There’s a profound loss in regional language extinction and I’m inviting audiences to listen, reflect and participate in preserving the richness of linguistic diversity for future generations,” added Tracey.

For more information visit www.traceyexton.art and www.cowalopenstudios.co.uk

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Continuing press coverage for COS weekend in September – Dunoon Observer & Lochside Press & Argyllshire Advertiser

Cowal Open Studios, a network of artists and makers, is putting out a call for new members as it prepares for a new programme of activities in 2025.

The group, which currently includes around 50 artists and makers, is due to hold its ever popular, annual Open Studios trail weekend at the end of September (26th to 29th).

Vice chair Hans Calvert said: “We are keen to boost membership and welcome more artists and makers into our organisation.

“There’s a lot to be said for a community approach and we are well aware that there are many creative folk across our corner of Argyll that could benefit greatly from being part of our network.

“We currently have many artists and makers as members but we are here to represent and promote all artistic genres.

“We want to raise the reach and awareness of our group, with a view to making Cowal a national hub for artists, makers and creatives with a similar profile to places like St Ives in Cornwall.

“That is the vision and we aspire to be representative of all creative disciplines. We certainly have the inspirational scenery for it!”

The Open Studios ‘ Arts and Crafts Trail ‘ across Cowal runs from 26th -29th September and offers the chance to see artists and makers in their working spaces.

“We will open our doors again in late September for the four-day event that always attracts the interest of local people and many visitors who regularly travel to Cowal for the event,” added Hans, a Sandbank-based painter.

Membership details and an application form are available on the website or email Hans direct for more information – cowalopenstudios@gmail.com.

PLEASE NOTE – Member applications for 2025 close on 14th March.