Harbour ARTS Centre is launching its first virtual exhibition to celebrate the work of Irvine artist Graham McKean who has been producing artwork for 25 years.

The retrospective exhibition will be shown through weekly posts on the Harbour Arts Centre Facebook page and will culminate in a virtual exhibition which the centre will featurs on its YouTube channel.

It is just one of the ways that local galleries have been adapting to the COVID-19 crisis and using online methods to showcase their work.

Alison Patterson, Assistant Art and Culture Officer, said: “Rather than cancel our events due to COVId-19, we have been looking for new ways to bring them to our customers online.

“We are still working with all of our regular tutors to help them to create online workshops. We’ve been working with actors and theatre groups to create “Friday Night Live” events and we’ve also been working with community groups to promote what they have been doing.”

Artist Graham McKean said: “Most of the new original oil paintings intended for the exhibition were painted from a bedroom at home in Troon as I am not allowed access to my Courtyard studio during lockdown.

“After discussion with the HAC it was suggested that we could make some kind of “virtual” exhibition which could at least show some recent work to people online.

“Producing art for me in this present situation is essential therapy and without this my mental health would deteriorate I am sure.

“I notice many people are seeing that creativity can be great medicine to help get through these times and it gives people something they can share with others via social media.”

More information on the centre’s Facebook page.

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