Glasgow art teacher Karin Hepburn found herself in the throes of an unlikely success story after the pandemic threatened the closure of her hairdressing business.
Karin, who has been working part-time as an art teacher in Kilmarnock since 1995, was uncertain about what the future would hold for the business.“Elderly clients that used to come in didn’t come out anymore.With years left on their lease, Karin’s husband suggested they turn the space into a gallery.Karin, who studied at Glasgow School of Art, had recently achieved her ‘life-long ambition’ of a solo show, which also meant that all her work was on display at Irvine’s Harbour Arts Centre.
To make the gallery more accessible to the wider community, Karin brought in a variety of artisan gifts from Scottish makers and a series of different art classes.Karin, who is still working as an art teacher, has been juggling her day job with her growing gallery but is excited to be at the helm of her own art space.
“The amount of people that say this is just what the community is needing, so as well as the arts and the walls and the gift area, I’ve also got tables set up for classes.”So far, Studio Two Six One hosts a number of different classes like jewellery-making and festive wreath-making over the holidays.She said: “It’s a situation where I thought, yeah, here’s an opportunity, let’s do it.“And I do hope that we can expand into different collections and entice different artists to come on board.