AN INVERCLYDE artist who took up painting after receiving art materials as a gift has told of the confidence he gained from exhibiting at the Beacon Arts Centre’s Summer Exhibition.
William Laing, who works in facilities at the Inverclyde venue, is preparing to submit his piece for the 2025 show, after success in the previous two years.
The retired IT consultant and architect started painting after his sister-in-law gave him an easel and paints as a gift six years ago.
He went on to join the Greenock Art Club and, as his confidence and interest grew, he went on to study art at college.
He has since gone on to exhibit at the Greenock Cricket Club, and has sold his work there and at the Beacon’s summer exhibition.
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William, who works across a variety of styles and media, said the Summer Exhibition is important because it gives a platform to local artists who might not otherwise be able to show their work.
William submitted his first picture to the Beacon summer exhibition in 2023, and in 2024 he sold his first piece there.
“I have always been creative,” he said.
“I worked as a wedding photographer and did pencil sketches. But marriage, children and work meant I didn’t do much – although I painted murals in my children’s bedrooms.
William’s works will go on show at the Beacon’s summer exhibition, which starts on July 5. (Image: Beacon Arts Centre) “The present started it. I started messing about. I joined a local art club – the Greenock Art club where there are so many talented people.
“That led to an HNC in art at West College in Paisley. It was really engaging. I loved it. It improved my confidence to try new things.
“I held my first exhibition because I had so many paintings, I thought I should show them. I invited friends and family to see what the reaction was. People actually bought stuff and that encouraged me to keep going.
“Working at the Beacon is a nice way to be involved. It’s a good environment. I set up rooms, help artists find their way around and am involved in hanging exhibitions.
“The Beacon’s open exhibition is important. It gives artists a space to exhibit that can be inaccessible because of the cost of hiring a venue.
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“It is open and free. The Beacon allows everyone to have the chance to show their work. It’s fantastic.”
The Beacon’s summer exhibition opens on July 5 and runs until August 23. Submissions from local artists can be dropped off at the Beacon on July 1 and 2.
Fraser Taylor, guest curator at the Beacon Arts Centre, said: “Our Open Exhibition is a unique opportunity for anyone living in Inverclyde to have their artwork exhibited.
“Inverclyde is full of artistic talent, and it is a real highlight to see the different works that are submitted.
“As an artist, I know how much it means to have your work put on display and enjoyed by an audience.
“It is another way that the Beacon lights up lives by championing culture and giving people an opportunity to participate.”
