Forres artists from Orchard Road Studios to showcase work during Findhorn Bay Festival

As part of the nine-day-long festival artists are welcoming visitors to browse their work and meet the creatives themselves

This year’s Findhorn Bay Festival is allowing Forres artists based at Orchard Road Studios, to showcase their art - with some available to buy.

The 11 multidisciplinary artists’ studios and shared gallery space will be open from 11am to 3pm on September, Saturday 21, and Saturday 28.

Sasha McMahon, a full-time artist specialising in pastel animal portraits, is a resident at Orchard Road Studios and is excited to open the doors and show fellow locals where she creates her artwork.

She said: “I was lucky enough to secure a space at Orchard Road Studios at the start of this year, and in May, I left my 9-5 office job to become a full-time artist.

“The community at Orchard Road Studios is wonderful and I’m so happy we’re taking part in the festival and inviting people to come and have a look around our spaces, it’s very exciting as this is my first ever open studio!

“It’s a fantastic chance for every artist here to connect with the public and discuss their artwork, I personally offer bespoke pet portraits, and this is a great chance to show people my work and create connections.”

The Findhorn Bay Festival, which is now in its 5th year, will see over 200 local and international artists take part in shows and events from September 20 until 29.

Sharing her excitement for the events to commence, Findhorn Bay Festival director Kresanna Aigner said: “Encompassing themes of nature, connection and belonging, our artists-in-residence will be sharing work inspired by and co-created with local people.

“Forres will be awash with colour and lit up with window-based artworks created by local people during our Window Wanderland opening night celebration.”