Young artists from Cumnock and across East Ayrshire have been invited to take part in an inclusive art show next week.

The group of care-experienced young artists from East Ayrshire have been invited to participate in ‘The Big Art Show’ in Paisley.

The free event, hosted by Outspoken Arts, will take place in The Art Department in Paisley town centre from August 30 until November 16.

With an ethos of inclusion, the event will give rise to entries from a wide range of ages, stages and artistic abilities, and is open from 10am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday.

The show will begin on August 30.The show will begin on August 30. (Image: Submitted)

The invitation comes following a series of recent successes from the ArtClub? Collective, a group of care-experienced young people in East Ayrshire who share a passion for contemporary art.

Artclub? meets weekly in Cumnock and Kilmarnock, and warmly welcomes more participants from the care-experienced community.

Led by Promise Participation Lead, Eòghann MacColl, ArtClub? runs in partnership with the East Ayrshire Leisure Trust, whose exhibitions have been inspiring and thought provoking to group members.

Inspired by the theme of ‘Nostalgia’, which the ArtClub? chose themselves, club member Emma Kasper put together an artists’ brief from various sessions which captured views and ideas from the group.

Commenting on the show, Eòghann, said: “ArtClub? is part of the participation work we do to enable the voices of our care-experienced young people through consistent engagement and a safe space for dialogue, whether art related or not. 

"We greatly value our partnership with East Ayrshire Leisure for making the ArtClub? group possible.

“We aim to build confidence and provide hope and have seen some changes and wee victories coming out of this work as well as showcasing the great creativity of our young people. Being able to raise their voices at the Big Art Show is a real acknowledgment of their presence and being present.

“We look forward to seeing what our incredible young artists have in store for what promises to be an exciting event! Watch out for details of their work and progress towards the show!”

The young artists took inspiration from the exhibitions by Martin Creed and Cornelia Parker’s two shows in the Dick Institute’s Young Peoples’ Gallery.

You can find more information about the exhibition online.