Art show to honour Scots town’s past with tribute to historic Paisley family

A new award will be introduced this year at the Paisley Art Institute’s Annual Open Exhibition called the MacKean award, named after the Paisley Burgh treasurer.

The artworks have been hung ahead of Paisley Art Institute’s (PAI) Annual Open Exhibition, which is set to return for its 136th edition this month.

This year will see the introduction of the MacKean award, named after a historic Paisley family.

James MacKean was a starch manufacturer from Paisley who also became the Paisley Burgh treasurer, and was a collector of artworks, many of which he gave to the PAI, including George Henry’s The Banks of Allan Water scheme in 1922 and William York MacGregor’s Nethy Bridge two years later.

Glasgow Girl Olive Carleton Smyth’s Bacchanale followed from MacKean in 1929. He also gifted David Forrester Wilson’s extraordinary Passing Day in 1923. Also, his brother William Muir McKean was Paisley’s Provost between 1908-1913. James MacKean’s great-grandson, Colin MacKean, is PAI’s current treasurer.

Anne Hargan, PAI secretary said: “We are announcing a new historic and prestigious, MacKean award. “This is in honour of that most important family, 200 years in Paisley.

“The burgh treasurer was J.A.D MacKean and it shows our continuity as our treasurer today, Colin, is his great-grandson. Also, Colin’s great-uncle was the provost of Paisley.

“These two men worked with our longest serving president, Johnny Miller, and Peter Coats (son of Sir Peter), to add four more galleries to the first two donated by Sir Peter earlier.”

There are 27 awards up for grabs at this year’s exhibition, which Anne says will be a “valuable asset to an artist’s CV”, not to mention the cash reward, with winners receiving between £100-£1,000.

In total there are 505 artworks on display at the Glasgow Art Club – where the PAI has been based since a disagreement with Renfrewshire Council over display space at the Paisley Museum and art galleries saw them remove their collection from the town.

As well as all the magnificent work on offer at the exhibition, there will also be a pastel art demonstration with Denise Findlay on Thursday, May 1 between 11am and 12.30pm. Places must be reserved and can be done so by emailing admin@glasgowartclub.co.uk or calling 0141 248 5210.

The exhibition opens on Monday, April 28 and will run until Saturday, May 31. It is located at the Glasgow Art Club on Bath Street in Glasgow and will be open Monday to Saturday 10am to 7pm.

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