You have seen them online – now get up close and personal with the real thing!

Argyll and Bute Council is sending the first six artworks which have featured online as Painting of the Month, out on a tour of branch libraries.

Communities will have the opportunity to see first-hand the art works  by luminaries of the art world such as Sir James Guthrie, Perpetua Pope, John McKinnon Crawford, Agnes Miller Parker, Leon Morocco and Alex Imrie.

The council’s Policy Lead for Community and Culture, Councillor Robin Currie, “This really is a must see exhibition. Most of the artists have local connections, either through living in the area, working in the area or being inspired by Argyll and Bute’s history, people, architecture and marvellous environment.

“Many of the works in the council’s Argyll Collection were purchased specifically for use in schools as education tools and this is the first opportunity for them to be seen by a wider audience. Art in all its forms enriches our lives and this is a marvellous opportunity to get a snapshot of the huge variety of pieces in the council’s care.”

A mixture of oil, watercolour and wood engraving, the artworks are usually displayed in libraries, schools and council buildings.

John McKinnon Crawford’s oil on canvas of the Royal Yacht Britannia, which normally hangs in Campbeltown Museum, will be hitting the road with the rest of the collection.

The exhibition is free and will be displayed at Campbeltown Library from (28 March TBC) for one month, before travelling to libraries in Lochgilphead, Tarbert , Oban, Rothesay, Dunoon and Helensburgh.

The touring exhibition will continue for six months, spending one month at each location.

For information about Argyll and Bute Council’s Painting of the Month visit www.argyll-bute.gov.uk