South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture

 

South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture SCIO Arts Development team proudly delivers a wide range of arts classes across venues throughout the South Lanarkshire Council area.

As part of Rutherglen Town Hall’s 21st Birthday celebrations, we’re delighted to present a special “Birthday” exhibition showcasing artwork created by students from our adult and children’s art classes.

For many participants, this will be their first time exhibiting their work publicly. With the guidance and encouragement of their tutors, the exhibition highlights the creativity, growth, and progress made by each artist.

Come and celebrate with us — and enjoy the vibrant talent nurtured within our community.

Happy 21st Birthday, Rutherglen Town Hall!

Cost: Free admission

Library events, such as Bookbug etc, are booked through the library management system (Spydus).

Please click here to view and book library events.

Cost: various

 

Robert captures the beautiful people, places, animals, history, sea and rivers of the world we all share.

Prints available in all sizes, treat yourself and let the work make you feel happy

Cost: Free admission

 

Matt McGinn wasn’t actually born in Rutherglen. He was born just ‘down the road’ in the Calton and was one of a family of nine. However, him, his wife Jeanette and their four children, Anna, Matt, Eleanor and Shonagh lived in Rutherglen.

Jimmie MacGregor described him as ‘the archetypal Glaswegian of his class and generation: short, stocky, robust with a ruddy complexion and rough-hewn features surmounted by a tartan bunnet.”    

He was a genius sometimes writing several songs in one day. Also, his subjects varied from Wee Kirkcudbright Centipedes to Red Yo-Yo’, from Miners Lullabies to Rolling Hills of the Border, from Horse Manure to Bananas. If he got a subject in his mind he had to write a song about it.

Initially he worked in the shipyards and eventually became a shop-steward. He was very political which often caused problems for him. At the age of 31 he won a Trade Union Scholarship to Ruskin College in Oxford. He gained a diploma in Economics and Political Science and then on to Huddersfield Teacher Training College.

When there he entered a newspaper song writing competition and won. His song was about a factory worker who drowned his foreman by holding his head down a toilet. One of the judges was Peggy Seeger and this is where the McGinn/Seeger relationship began. Cutting it short, Peggy’s brother Pete was so taken by Matts work that he got him a concert in New York’s Carnegie Hall with Bob Dylan as one of the support acts.

Having returned to Glasgow after College as a teacher but soon became known as ‘this new songwriting phenomenon’, and he was.

This show in Rutherglen will be presented by several singers singing at least 24 of Matts songs and you will probably recognise them all!

Available to book online or by calling Rutherglen Town Hall on 0141 613 5700.

Cost: £15 / £12 (subject to £1.50 transaction fee)

Fancy following in the footsteps of some of Rutherglen's funniest folk? 

Well now's your chance to emulate the likes of Stan Laurel, Robbie Coltrane and Andy Cameron by taking to the stage and sharing your favourite funny stories, memories, anecdotes or even historical tales and myths about the Royal Burgh from any point across its 900 years. 

But don't be daunted if you've never taken to the stage before as we've former Scottish Comedian of the Year and two-time Sir Billy Connolly Award nominee and journalist at The Rutherglen Reformer Scott Agnew in to help out.

He'll whip your wisecracks into shape over a five-week course before a showcase night at Rutherglen Town Hall telling your favourite funny stories about life and love or whatever else has made you laugh about Rutherglen. 

So, get your thinking cap on and bring us stories of growing up, working or wild nights out in the Royal Burgh or perhaps even recount some old yarns passed down your family over the years. Let's hear them!

This is an excellent opportunity to learn some new skills, including a taster for creative writing, public speaking and performing in a relaxed and supportive environment celebrating 900 years of Rutherglen and honouring the old Royal Burgh!

The Comedy Showcase will take place on Friday 20 March 2026.

Available to book online or by calling Rutherglen Town Hall on 0141 613 5700.

Cost: £50 for 5 week workshop