Big Art Show

Welcome to the Big Art Show, Paisley.

The Big Art Show, Paisley is a large-scale public exhibition that opens on Friday 26th August at 6pm.

Entry is FREE – Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10am-4pm. The show closes at 4pm on Sat 26th November 2022.

Visit us at The Art Department, 2-10 Causeyside Street, Paisley PA1 1UQ map

Find us on Facebook & Twitter @bigartshow

Prizewinners 2022

Big Art Show 2022 589 Jane Hunter ‘A collective embrace’The Paisley Shopping Centre ‘Best in Exhibition’ Prize sponsored by The Paisley Shopping Centre – £1000 […]

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The exhibition will take place in a large, open-plan, white-walled, space within a former department store and may be exhibited over several floors. The doors will open to public visitors from 26th August and the exhibition will run Tue-Sat, 10am-4pm daily. We expect most artworks to be for sale.

Big Art Show, Paisley is a major exhibition project by Outspoken Arts Scotland and a volunteer team of professional visual artists working across the West of Scotland. It is a not-for-profit making charitable activity for the advancement of art, education and public benefit.

The Exhibition is housed in a former four floor department store in the Paisley Centre which is 56,000 sqft. Left in pristine condition by Allders, (Co-op) the grand building was once home of the Paisley Co-operative Society, now the Co-op Group plc.  This huge department store offers 3 massive open plan exhibition floors, with white walls, brand new bright white LED lighting throughout. The store has been rebranded as THE ART DEPARTMENT and developed as a temporary arts centre for 2 years by Outspoken Arts in partnership with PACE Theatre Company and a number of partner art organisations and local exhibitors.

The space offers

  • A social Engagement Space foyer for meetings, sofa talks and relaxing.
  • A Creative Learning Suite for up to 30 participants.
  • 16 large Window Displays averaging between 3-5m wide.  (7 street facing)
  • Generous ceiling height throughout at 2.8m.
  • A multi-screen Video Wall for small screens.

The Big Art Show programme will include

  • 93 days of exhibition.
  • 12 weeks of creative learning activities, twice-weekly classes in a number of disciplines.
  • Up to 36 days for Schools visits.
  • Awards & Prizes for artists and work of merit.
  • Large opening party for up to 500 guests.
  • Volunteering opportunities for local people.