Inspiring A Community of Art Lovers

Felt Making Workshop: Catherine Jones – Create A Clutch Bag

Thursday 11th September 10.00am—12.00 noon

St Vincent’s RC Church, Cameron Road, Tain, IV19 1NN 

Tickets £20 per person

on sale from 29 July 2025

Maximum number of 8 for this workshop, so please book early.

Wet felting is the magical process by which delicate unspun wool is converted into strong, practical felt. Experienced tutor, Catherine Jones, will lead this hands-on class, demonstrating the basic techniques of wet felting needed to create a small clutch bag. These techniques can then be used to make pictures, slippers, hats and scarves, to name just a few applications. No previous experience is needed. Equipment — Please bring two tea towels, an apron, a rolling pin and a plastic carrier bag to take home your wet things.

Studio Smith, Creative Collage Workshops

Artist Ingebjorg Smith is running two, 2 hour CREATIVE COLLAGE WORKSHOPS from her Gallery, Studio Smith. Suitable for all abilities, unleash your inner child, 100% success guaranteed! Make a wonderful collage painting, as abstract or realistic as you like, using simple printing techniques, metal leaf, acrylics, pastels and decorative papers. Your work will be finished with a window mount and cello wrapper. All materials are included. The workshop can be a bit messy, so please wear old clothes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Spaces are limited, please be sure to book direct.

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Wednesday 10th September 7.00pm—9.00pm

Sunday 14th September 2.00pm—4.00pm

1 St Duthus Place, Chapel Road, Tain, IV19 1JD

£35 per person,

To book direct and for more information email ingebjorg.smith@btinternet.com

or phone 07909604909

www.ingebjorg-studiosmith.co.uk

Pro-Loco Art Event

Following the success of previous years, the Pro-Loco Art Event returns, this time to the beautiful coastal village of Inver.

Pro-loco means “of the place” and we invite anyone feeling creative to come along and join us in making a piece of art using whatever medium you prefer. Inver Bay may be your inspiration, or the beautiful cottages that make up the village, or the rolling farmland all around.

Art is fun, so why not get involved and create a piece of art in just one day. Entry is just £3, with prizes of £75, £50 and £25.

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Book here

Student Art Competition - Calling all  S1 Up 

Following the success of 2024 we are running the schools' art competition again this year. .

We are inviting all students attending Tain Royal Academy, Invergordon Academy and St Duthus School S1 - S6 to submit a piece of their art in any medium.  All entries will be displayed and the public are invited to vote for their favourite.

This year there are 3 cash prizes up for grabs. 

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Terms and conditions with entry form are here. 

Art Trail - Sheelah Sparkes’ Studio

Thursday 11th to Saturday 13th September 11.00am—4.00pm,

Sunday 14th September 12.00 noon—4.00pm

St Margaret’s, Balnabruach, Portmahomack, Ross-shire IV20 1YN

Sheelah's studio is in the idyllic seaside village of Portmahomack, and she says “My artwork is quite naïve in style and my designs are influenced by boats, seabirds, harbours and local gardens.

I work from a small studio at my home and do my printing on an old converted mangle”.

Artwork for sale includes small to medium sized collagraphs, lino prints, pastels and other mixed-media pictures which are sold framed or unframed. There will be cards and postcards for sale in the studio and in local outlets.

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Art Trail - Stitches Craft Group

Tuesday 9th to Saturday 14th September 1.00pm-3.00pm

Stitches Craft Group Flower Curtain Crochet-a-long

Let’s get creative! Absolute beginners to experienced crocheters are welcome to come and join the fun, creating a crocheted flower curtain and raising money for the Festival Charity – Marie Curie. Help will be on hand during the core hours above, but experienced crocheters can pop in anytime and follow the pattern. All materials are provided. Buy a ticket to win the finished curtain at the end of the Festival. Thanks to Anna from Hooktasy.com for permission to use her lovely pattern as inspiration. Pop along to Pipers during the Festival and see some of the things we have made with our stash of fibre. Stitches Craft Group meet at Pipers Coffee House, 7.00pm-9.00pm on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month.

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Pipers Coffee House 25 Lamington Street, Tain, IV19 1AA

Art Trail - North Coast Glass

Glass Artist/Designers Brodie Nairn and Nichola Burns work out of their acclaimed NORTH COAST GLASS studio in Tain where they create beautiful contemporary glassware and artworks.

The studio is programming a week of exciting glass-blowing demonstrations and workshop events for the Festival. Booking is essential for sessions.

Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.

Enquiries & Bookings contact:

Tel: 01862 893189

Facebook: Northcoastglass

Email: info@northcoastglass.com www.northcoastglass.com

Glass Blowing Demonstrations

Tues 9th to Thurs 11th 12.00pm to 4.00pm free

Blow your own Bauble

Fri 12th approx. 45mins (8yrs+) £45

Make your own Paperweight

Sat 13th approx. 45mins (12yrs+) £75

Make your own Glass Tile (sandcasting) Sun 14th approx. 45mins £30 per tile

Art Trail - North View Studio 

Artist Kay and Writer Dave live and work at Northview Studio where you will find a display of paintings, prints and cards by Kay and other local artists and Dave’s books will also be available. Please call in, we’d love to meet you. Note, on Friday morning the studio will host a writing workshop so will be closed to the public, please see the main Festival events for booking details.

Tuesday 9th to Sunday 14th September 10.00am-5.00pm

Northview Studio Station Road, Tain, IV10 1HX

Art Trail - Studio Smith

Summer Show. Wildlife and Landscape Paintings by Ingebjorg and Inger Smith and Prints by Louise Worthy. Also on sale is a great range of gifts inspired by the artwork.

Work by Inger Smith & other local makers too.

Tuesday 9th to Sunday 14th September 11.00am-4.00pm

1 St Duthus Place, Chapel Road, Tain IV19 1JD

Tel: 0790 960 4909 www.ingebjorg-studiosmith.co.uk

Art Trail - Pipers Coffee House

“We showcase and display an array of
artwork in our café, from trinkets and
original art pieces to candles and books, all created by local artists and authors. Our aim is to promote a taste of Highland talent to our customers.”

25 Lamington Street, Tain IV19 1AA

Open throughout the Festival.

For opening times, please check our Facebook page

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Art Trail - Archie MacArthur

Local artist, Archie MacArthur, paints evocative works of the Highlands in acrylic, reflecting the light, colour, moods and life of the Highland landscape.

Archie is happy to be contacted by anyone who would like to see him at work or to see the range of his artwork during the Festival from

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9th to 14th September. 2025 Email archie.scarfskerry@gmail.com or phone 07856 395269 to arrange a suitable day and time.