After the huge success of the first ever Ayrshire Open Studios event last year Ayrshire Makers are holding their second Ayrshire Makers Open Studios Weekend on 9 and 10 June 2007.

Ayrshire is home to a wealth of artistic talent and the weekend offers an opportunity to visit makers working in their studios, view their work at its point of origin and purchase unique items direct.

A taster of the work produced by makers taking part in the open studios weekend can be seen in two preview exhibitions at the Maclaurin Galleries in Ayr and the West Kilbride Gallery.

Amongst the makers participating this year are basketmaker Lise Bech, ceramicist Maggie Broadley, silversmith, Marion Kane, textile designer Brian Young of Yungi and jeweller Sandy Mitchell.

Lise has been making baskets for twenty years and grows many different varieties of willow which add scent, colour and a sense of place to her sculptural asymmetric pieces.

The landscape and seasons inform the hand built non-functional stone vessels by Maggie which combine controlled forms with rugged crater glazed surfaces.

The work by Sandy has evolved from working exclusively with beads to incorporating enamelled or silver-plated wire and over the past year combining these with semi-precious stones. 

Find out more about the open studios weekend at www.ayrshiremakers.org.uk/openstudios.htm