The Pro-Loco Art Event returns, this time to the beautiful grounds of Balnagown Castle, Kildary, courtesy of the owners and management. 

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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. There are buildings, gardens, rivers and lochs around the castle to choose from, and you will be given time to locate that special spot that’s just right for you. 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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Booking is essential, so visit our website for full terms and conditions.

Become a real-life detective and track down the handmade items created by Stitches Craft Group. 

Pick up an entry form for 50p from the Pop-Up Bookshop, follow the clues, and when you have found them all, hand your completed entry back to the Pop-Up Bookshop by 3.30 pm on Saturday 12th, to enter the prize draw.

This family-friendly competition is fun for all ages, from Miss Marple to Baby Addams, so why not give it a try?

All proceeds to the Save TRACC Campaign

Discover the creative possibilities of recycled materials in this one-day Tetra Pak printing workshop! In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to transform everyday drink cartons into unique printing plates and create your own original prints. Guided step-by-step, participants will explore simple mark-making, carving, inking, and printing techniques while experimenting with texture and design.

Perfect for beginners and curious creatives alike, the workshop covers the full process—from preparing and etching your Tetra Pak plate to printing your finished artwork on paper. By the end of the day, you’ll leave with a small collection of prints, your own reusable plate, and the skills to continue experimenting at home.

All materials are provided—just bring your curiosity and a willingness to play with ink!

Workshop will take place at Northview Studio Tuesday 8th September 10- 3 with a short break for lunch.  Although the inks that we’re using are water based  participants should wear old clothes .  

Creative Collage Pictures; Handmade Collage Cards, taught by artist Ingebjorg Smith. Suitable for all abilities, success guaranteed!

You will learn some quick; fun printing techniques; use gold, silver;

copper metal leaf, acrylics; colourful papers.

Cyril was once invited to exhibit in a 'New Drawings' Exhibition and found his work hanging alongside great artists including Graham Sutherland, Elizabeth Frink and Henry Moore. A successful Art Teacher, changing weather and light contribute to his work.  Watch Cyril at work.

Learn how to make a willow bird feeder with local basket maker Hannah Humphreys from “Willow and Gorse”. Weave sticks of willow into a hanging structure which can be used for fat balls, nesting materials or even to hold garlic or dried flowers. The skills learned are the same used to make baskets, so this is a great start for beginners. All materials and equipment will be provided and no experience is necessary.

Immerse yourself in the world of Scotland's wild grasses and the work of poet Valerie Gillies and artist Rebecca Marr, and their recently published book, When the Grass Dances. In the surroundings of Browns Gallery, with her portraits of wild grasses on the wall, Rebecca will take the audience on a journey through books that have informed the poet and artist's understanding of this remarkable and often overlooked plant family. With recordings of Valerie reading her poems and live readings from Rebecca, you will leave with a heightened appreciation of the natural world and our connection to it.

Rebecca studied photography in Edinburgh before making Orkney her home. Using photography which can be darkroom-based, camera-less, digital, or a hybrid, Rebecca's work is dominated by the natural world and in particular plants, seaweeds, sea and clouds.

For over twenty years, Rebecca has collaborated with poet Valerie Gillies, Edinburgh’s 2nd Makar, each using their own art forms to add something to what the other is saying. See www.whenthegrassdances.art

Evie McCutcheon is a character designer and comic illustrator living in the North Highlands. She creates digital web comics, concept art and zines, and engages in community arts projects. Please come and watch Evie at work.

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Evie will also be delivering a workshop as part of the school programme. 

Creative Collage Pictures; Handmade Collage Cards, taught by artist Ingebjorg Smith. Suitable for all abilities, success guaranteed!

You will learn some quick; fun printing techniques; use gold, silver;

copper metal leaf, acrylics; colourful papers.

Fiona Black, from the Highland village of Evanton, has been a professional creative for over twenty years. She began her musical journey through feiseann, furthering her studies in folk music in Ireland and Canada, and touring internationally as a performer.

For the past decade, Fiona has primarily focused on visual art, specialising in printmaking. Her upbringing in the Highlands fostered a deep appreciation for music, history, folklore, and Scottish heritage—passions she now channels into her artwork. Drawing inspiration from Scottish history, she weaves the rich narratives of Scottish culture into her pieces. Fiona is especially interested in women’s history, producing work and collaborations that highlight these often-overlooked stories.

InverCreative brings together creative works by Inver-based artists, makers and community members. The exhibition celebrates creativity, showcasing work by Rosie MacKenzie, Doug Stuart, Pamela Barnsby, Emma Helyer, Damien Connell and Lauren Wilson. 

Julia McGhee, a dance artist and choreographer will present material from The Morrich Project and her current work, Goldy-looking Blanket. 

Create a book that unfolds in surprising ways in this two-hour Explosion Book workshop. In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to fold, assemble, and decorate a dynamic book structure that “explodes” open to reveal layered pages and hidden spaces for images, patterns, or words.

Guided step by step, you’ll explore simple bookbinding and paper-folding techniques while experimenting with colour, collage, and personal design. The format is perfect for storytelling, memory keeping, or simply playing with creative paper structures.

Suitable for beginners and makers of all experience levels, this relaxed workshop will leave you with a completed explosion book and the skills to create more at home. All materials are provided—just bring your creativity and curiosity!

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SUMMER SHOW. Paintings by Ingebjorg and Inger Smith and Prints by Louise Worthy, and a great range of gifts. Book Workshops directly at Ingebjorg.smith@btinternet.com www.ingebjorg-studiosmith.co.uk  

Follow Studio Smith Tain on Facebook Tel: 07909 604 909.

Open day with free entry on Saturday 12th September for people to view the art and have a look round our museum.  Please note that the path from the car park to the Museum has a loose surface

Normal open times

Monday-Saturday - 10.00 am-4.00 pm,

Sunday - 1.00 pm-4.00 pm

Tarbatness Road, Portmahomack IV20 1YA  

See Tarbat Discovery Centre website for entry charges.

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Set in Portmahomack, Sheelah’s artwork is quite naïve in style and designs are influenced by boats, seabirds, harbours and local gardens. Working from a small studio at her home, Sheelah does her printing on an old converted mangle. Her artwork includes collagraphs, linoprints, pastels and other mixed-media pictures. Gifts are for sale in the studio.

Glass Artist/Designers Brodie Nairn and Nichola Burns work from their acclaimed NORTH COAST GLASS studio in Tain creating beautiful contemporary glassware and artworks.

Saturday 12th September - Make your own Paperweight,

45min session, age 9yrs +                                                         £75  

Sunday 13th September - Blow you own Glass Bauble,

45min session, age 9yrs +                                                         £45 

(for all workshops, under 16’s must be accompanied by adult)

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Booking essential for The Paperweight or Glass Bauble sessions, please contact 01862 893189  info@northcoastglass.com  / f Northcoastglass

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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, they would love to meet you. 

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“We showcase and display an array of