I’ve just been sat in my rocking chair in the studio, trying to decide how to organise the space for our forthcoming Open Studios Weekend this Saturday and Sunday 1st / 2nd October. I would normally have got everything worked out by now and it would just be a case of spending a few days painting walls, the floor and then hanging and labelling the work. This year it’s not quite as simple as I still have work to do in the studio for the next 2 days and then it will be one mad rush! Of course, this year I have the upstairs space too and so I’ll be able to put out quite a large selection of work.
Anyway, it should be a good weekend and there will be at least 10 of the Courtyard Studios artists and makers opening their doors this year…… so, well worth a visit if you live in or around the area. There is plenty of parking on the Harbour side and for anyone using public transport; the train station is just 10 minutes walk down Harbour St from the studios. We have a fantastic variety of places to eat and get refreshments close by so everything and everyone’s tastes are covered I think. For anyone who hasn’t been to Irvine Harbour side before, we also have a fantastic beach just 10 minutes walk in the other direction from the studio…..and once on this, you can walk all the way to Troon if you want. Of course, being on the west coast of Scotland and it being October and all that…..we can’t guarantee fine weather, although over the 14 years we’ve held this event, we’ve actually had some very fine weather on many occasions. Fingers crossed I guess! Other places to visit close by include the Scottish Maritime Museum and the Magnum Sports Centre.
At the same time as the Open Weekend, we are also holding our annual group exhibition in the neighbouring Harbour Arts Centre and several of the artists will also be doing demonstrations.
Right then, I had better get back to the painting. I do hope that you can get along this weekend and I look forward to meeting you. Please forward or pass details of this event on to anyone you know who might be interested in coming along. Thank you.
Wasps Courtyard Studios, Open Weekend 2016
Saturday / Sunday 1st / 2nd October
Open: 12 noon – 5pm both days
Entry: Free, all welcome
Courtyard Studios, 128 Harbour St, Irvine, Ayrshire, KA12 8PZ