Ayr: Past, Present, Future

Name: Ayr: Past, Present, Future
Start: 2026-08-21T16:00:00+0100
End: 2026-08-21T20:00:00+0100
Location: The Auld Toy Shop

Fri, 21 Aug, 4pm - 8pm BST

The Auld Toy Shop

Narture CIC

265 followers · Contact host

Description

Ayr: Past, Present, Future

An Exhibition Celebrating Ayr's Stories, Creativity and Community

21–24 August 2026
The Auld Toy Shop
25 Newmarket Street, Ayr, KA7 1LL

Join Narture CIC as we celebrate the opening of The Auld Toy Shop with Ayr: Past, Present, Future—a community art exhibition inspired by the town we call home.

Taking its name from Ayr's rich history, vibrant present and exciting future, the exhibition brings together work by local artists and makers responding to the theme in their own unique way. Featuring painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, jewellery, illustration and more, the exhibition showcases the creativity, talent and stories that make Ayr such a special place.

If you would like to apply to exhibit as part of Ayr: Past, Present, Future; please use the provided application form:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpMTc1sZLRyUOmE1drbrLkNNLg8B-zj2-BCnXBY-iFx5VBjA/viewform?usp=header

Note that the closing date for applications is Monday 18th August 2026.

Many people remember Beattie's Toy Shop with great affection, and this exhibition marks the beginning of a new chapter for the building as a welcoming space for creativity, learning, play and connection.

The exhibition also celebrates the launch of Narture CIC's Culture Collective project, which will support artists and communities across Ayrshire through creative opportunities and collaborative projects. We also have an open call for socially engaged practitioners to get involved with the project, more info here:

https://forms.gle/jS3MVv6bMegco8nE8

Whether you're an art lover, a supporter of local creativity or simply curious to explore the newly opened space, everyone is welcome to visit.

Launch Event

Friday 21 August 2026
4:00–8:00pm

Celebrate the opening of the exhibition and The Auld Toy Shop with an evening of art, conversation and community. Meet exhibiting artists, learn more about Narture's Culture Collective project, and discover what's planned for the future of this exciting new creative venue.

Exhibition Opening Times

22nd–24th August 2026

10:00-4:00pm

Admission is free.

Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity

Hostinformation

Narture CIC

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Founded in June 2020 by artist father and daughter Robert and Saskia Singer, Narture CIC began by reclaiming empty town centre units and turning them into spaces for culture, food and connection. It has since grown into a network of creative, community-focused spaces across Ayr, grounded in the belief that:

everyone is an artist.

At the heart of Narture is its award-winning sourdough bakery — a working artisan bakery that bakes real bread to earn the dough to fund arts. Every loaf helps subsidise studios, residencies, workshops and public programmes. The bakery also operates as a training space, equipping young people and those from diverse or marginalised backgrounds with specialist, hands-on skills in artisan baking and hospitality. Surplus profits are reinvested directly into creative and community projects, supporting town centre regeneration and widening access to cultural participation. Across its studios and residency space, Narture provides affordable workspaces, a community darkroom and Risograph printer, exhibitions, talks and workshops.

In 2026, Narture expands further with the launch of Shape — a larger food and arts hub offering community meals, events and creative programmes that strengthen skills, confidence and connection. Working across food, creativity and wellbeing, Narture continues to transform vacant buildings into practical, inclusive spaces where people can make, learn, earn and belong.