A NEW exhibition showcasing the creative talents of people across Inverclyde has opened in Gourock.
The Creative Communities exhibition features artwork produced through RIG Arts’ Creativity in Mind programme, adult illustration and photography workshops.
The show offers participants the chance to see their work displayed in a commercial gallery, with all pieces available for sale and proceeds going directly to the artists.
Karen Orr, chief executive and co-founder of RIG Arts, said: "It’s a snapshot of the current Creative Communities workshops we have going on.
"People are telling us what they want and what they need, and then we are programming workshops and projects to respond to those needs."
Creativity in Mind is designed to support positive mental health and wellbeing through art, while other classes focus on developing artistic skills with guidance from professional artists.
Although the workshops emphasise the creative process over the end result, Karen said the quality of the work chosen for the exhibition has been impressive.
She said: "There are so many really talented people in Inverclyde and folk who come to Rig Arts.
"I guess that’s why they’re coming – because they have got a wee creative spark in them.
"The output isn’t really what’s important, but we’re really lucky that the show looks so good."
The idea for the exhibition came from Lisa Keogh Carberry who approached Rig Arts about displaying some of the pieces from their workshops.
Allowing participants to price and sell their work is a new and exciting experience for many of those involved.
Karen hopes that exhibiting in Gourock will help raise awareness of Rig Arts and attract new participants to its free workshops and activities.
She said: "It’s a new thing for us to exhibit in Gourock and in a commercial shop.
"It’s really good to raise the profile and let people know we’re here and what workshops we’ve got.
"Anyone interested can check www.rigarts.org to see what's on. There's lots of free workshops and other things as well."
The exhibition runs throughout October and is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm.
Creative Communities is a project funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
RIG Arts runs workshops, training opportunities, exhibitions, public artworks, and community events from Pirrie Hall in Greenock.
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