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What's on
LEARN.EXPLORE.CREATE.
IT’LL BE READY WHEN IT’S READY
By Alex Weir (aka Smex)
EXHIBITION OPEN UNTIL JUNE
Alex Weir (aka Smex) is a Glasgow-based artist and illustrator from Ayr, known for his "Drawing a Day Project" since 2018. His work, spanning painting, printmaking, and bookmaking, explores the humor and joy in everyday life, particularly through food. His first serious cookbook, "It’ll be Ready When It’s Ready", features 75 recipes and 55 drawings, celebrating the process of home cooking. Funded by Creative Scotland and riso-printed at Narture Studios, the book embodies his commitment to sustainability and waste reduction.
The exhibition expands on these themes, with works exploring food culture and the home dining experience. Every element prioritizes sustainability—using recycled materials, eco-friendly printing, and upcycled canvases. Even the cookbook production minimized waste, with offcuts repurposed for packaging. Join us in celebrating Smex’s playful and resourceful approach to art, food, and creativity!
Tues - Sat 10am 3pm
SHAPE by Narture Studios 32 Newmarket St, Ayr
Triratna Buddhist Group
Weekly on Tuesdays 6.30pm - 8.30pm
The aim of the group is to help it's members explore the Buddha's teachings and meditate together in a relaxed, friendly space. The first part of our meetings will be to learn and practice our two core meditation practices, the Mindfulness of Breathing and the Metta Bhavana, followed by an exploration of the foundational teachings of the Buddha.
Free/ Donations welcome - Book in by emailing to RSVP: dh.karunaradha@gmail.com
Narture Studios, 34 Newmarket St, Ayr
Eckhart Tolle Meditation Group
First Sunday of every month 2 - 5pm
Embark on a journey of enlightenment with our esteemed collective, dedicated to the profound wisdom of Eckhart Tolle. Join us as we immerse ourselves in the transformative teachings, coming together to engage in shared meditation and communal reflection.
Free/ Donations welcome - Book in by emailing to RSVP: aurorearnould92@gmail.com
Narture Studios, 34 Newmarket St, Ayr
Satsang with Irfan
Weekly on Saturdays 2 - 4pm
The opportunity to meet with an awakened being is rare. Satsang, meaning to abide in Being, is the space to associate with the transmission of Presence. You need make no effort, just allow what is to be as it is; the transmission does all the work. Satsang is the moment for direct experience of the truth of non-duality - that you are Consciousness, and Consciousness is all there is. Satsang is our own being meeting itself in an apparent other. There is nothing to do and nothing to attain. You are already free. Welcome to Satsang.
Saturdays, 2-4pm Narture Studios (Top buzzer for the wellbeing studio)
No need to book, but for more information:
Email: irfan@merchantayurveda.co.uk or
WhatsApp: 07981 201110
Satsang is offered free, donations are welcome.
Narture Studios 34 Newmarket St, Ayr
SKETCH in the air
Next Date: Thurs 29th May 6-8pm
An evening of aerial life drawing and live music
Join us for an inspiring evening of aerial life drawing paired with live music for a truly immersive experience. The art model, Sarah Bebe Holmes—a physical theater and circus performer—will captivate with her dynamic energy, incorporating aerial apparatus and striking, expressive poses. Accompanying her is Bado Reti, an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and composer, who will guide the evening with his mesmerizing music.
Immerse yourself in this unique fusion of art forms! Enhance your art portfolio, decorate your space, or elevate your social feed with striking figure drawings that are sure to impress.
Be a part of a supportive community of artists of all levels to nurture and immerse yourself in creativity.
There are LIMITED SPACES! Book early to snag your spot
£20 Single evening advance ticket
£25 Single evening at the door
SHAPE by Narture Studios 32 Newmarket St, Ayr
Broadsides and riso print-making workshop with The Charmers
Tues 17th June, 2pm - 4pm
We will be looking at songs and poems, and text fragments and songs as storytelling and making these into new Broadside Ballads. You will be able to make your own texts into prints through collage, drawing experimenting and Riso print.. so bring along your ideas!
This workshop will be led by Anne Robinson, lead artist in ‘The Charmers’ contemporary art
MAKE by Narture Studios 30 Newmarket St, Ayr
Pop-Up Florist - WilderBlooms
Thurs 19th June - Sun 22nd June, 11am - 4pm
16th-22nd June is British Flowers Week - a celebration of the wonderful array of flower growers we have here in the UK. WilderBlooms is a florist and flower farm from right here in Ayrshire. Florist Emma prides herself on her sustainability credentials, using only British-grown blooms and plastic-free packaging. Drop by to see what wonderful flowers are being grown in Ayrshire this week and pick up a bunch of fresh, seasonal flowers.
SHAPE by Narture Studios 32 Newmarket St, Ayr
Build a Sustainable Flower Bouquet
Fri 20th June, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
In celebration of British Flowers Week (16th-22nd June), come build your own bouquet, choosing from WilderBlooms selection of seasonal and locally grown flowers.
Pick flowers of your choice from the selection provided and let florist Emma show you how flowers are prepared, hand tied and wrapped behind the scenes in a florist's shop.
In this hands-on experience, you’ll uncover what truly goes on behind the scenes - from the moment a flower is planted to the time it arrives in your hands. Discover the intricate journey that blooms take from field to vase, and gain a deeper appreciation for the people, places, and practices that make it all possible.
SHAPE by Narture Studios 32 Newmarket St, Ayr
Foam-Free Floristry - Learn Plastic-Free Flower Arranging
Sat 21st June, 3pm - 4pm
Pick flowers of your choice from the selection provided and let florist Emma show you how flowers are prepared and arranged without the use of floral foam (oasis) to create a gorgeous table centrepiece arrangement.
Join us to explore the fascinating journey behind the scenes - from the fields where flowers are carefully and sustainably grown, to the hands that harvest, sort, and prepare them with care. You'll learn how thoughtful practices and ethical sourcing make a real difference - not just for the environment, but for the people and communities involved.
We'll also dive into the importance of choosing sustainable flowers - grown without harmful chemicals, with respect for nature - and why plastic-free packaging isn’t just a trend, but a vital step toward reducing waste and protecting our planet.
SHAPE by Narture Studios 32 Newmarket St, Ayr
Pinhole Photography Workshop
Sat 21st June, 10am - 4pm
An introduction to the world of pinhole photography and basic darkroom paper developing. The workshop is led by Alison Lea: photographer, former lecturer and museum curator. @rocksnapper on Instagram.
After a brief introduction to the history of the ‘camera obscura’ and the origins of photography, you’ll learn the basic principles of depth of field, exposure etc.
You will then create your own pinhole camera using a lidded tin, (coffee tins work well, see below).
Learn how to load the ‘camera’ with photographic paper in the darkroom, expose (take the picture) outside or in the studio, then return to the darkroom to develop the paper negative.
MAKE by Narture Studios 30 Newmarket St, Ayr
SMEX CAFE POP-UP: LATE LUNCH/EARLY DINNER
Sat 28th June, 12pm - 3pm
Drop in for a casual cafe-style visit where Smex will be serving food and drinks for one night only in Shape on Saturday 22nd March. His exhibition ‘It’ll Be Ready When It’s Ready’ will be up on the walls and his cookbook of the same name, where the recipes for the food are taken from, will be available to browse.
Your ticket gets you as much soup, sandwiches, salad and snacks as you like and you’ll also get a free print to takeaway.
This is the 3rd version of Smex Cafe, a pop up installation combining art and food, since 2017. It started as Smex’s Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show piece and was also an outdoor cafe on the street at Leith Walk Police Box in 2020.
SHAPE by Narture Studios 32 Newmarket St, Ayr
Analogue Street Photography & Film Processing Workshop
Sat 26th July, 10am - 4pm
An introduction to analogue street photography, and film processing led by award winning photographer and educator Mike Stone @_rodinal on Instagram
Learn how to load and shoot with a mechanical 35mm film camera.
Introduce the techniques of classic street photography and then process your film by hand.
Suitable for all, from complete beginners to experienced photographers looking to refresh their skills.
Participants can arrive with nothing (but if you have your own 35mm camera please bring it along). You will leave with the confidence to tackle street shooting, a roll of processed B&W Film and your favourite frames ready to share.
All materials and chemistry supplied, and we have a range of SLR and Rangefinder cameras we can lend you.
MAKE by Narture Studios 30 Newmarket St, Ayr
Cyanotypes (Blueprint) Workshop
Sat 31st August, 10am - 4pm
Learn how to make beautiful and unique cyanotype prints, a photographic process invented by Sir John Herschel in 1842 and popularised by the botanist Anna Atkinson, who used the printing method to document British Algae.
The process is essentially a photogram; which is made by laying items of varying translucency on a light (photo) sensitive surface and exposing it to UV light (the sun or a lamp).
The workshop is led by Alison Lea: photographer, former lecturer and museum curator. @rocksnapper on Instagram.
MAKE by Narture Studios 30 Newmarket St, Ayr
An Introduction to Darkroom Printing Workshop's
Sat 27th Sept, 9:30am - 12:30pm
If you’ve attended one of our analogue film processing workshops and want to print your negatives or if you’ve just always wanted to learn the process, this course is the perfect introduction to darkroom printing.
In our brand-new darkroom space, we’ll familiarise you with the darkroom equipment, enlargers, safe lighting & processing equipment. You’ll be instructed in chemical preparation safety and taken step by step through the printing process before going solo and printing your own images. All under the guidance of Mike Stone.
MAKE by Narture Studios 30 Newmarket St, Ayr
Photogram Printmaking Workshop
Sat 25th Oct, 9:30am - 4:30pm
A fun and experimental session introducing you to the creation of Photograms and darkroom practice
Photograms are a cameraless darkroom process where objects placed on photographic paper allowing you to create abstract photographic compositions through light and shadow.
Popularised in the 1920’s by Dada artist photographer Man Ray and the Constructivist El Lissitzky as a challenge to traditional photography this graphic process brings chance and mystery into printmaking.
Led by photographer and educator Mike Stone @_rodinal on Instagram
A great introduction to darkroom working, we’ll familiarise you with the darkroom, safe lighting & processing equipment. You’ll be instructed in chemical preparation and taken step by step through the photogram process.
WHEN BOOKING- PLEASE CHOOSE EITHER THE MORNING OR AFTERNOON SLOT FOR THIS WORKSHOP:
Morning: 9.30am-12.30pm £80
OR
Afternoon: 1.30-4.30pm £80
MAKE by Narture Studios 30 Newmarket St, Ayr
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