Art lovers will now be able to purchase high quality contemporary arts and crafts interest free at more galleries across Scotland, as a further 14 galleries have been selected to join the Scottish Arts Council’s Own Art scheme.

Own Art provides an interest free loan (typical 0% APR) of £100 to £2000 to purchase a wide range of artwork from paintings, sculptures and photography to ceramics, jewellery and glass, to make buying artwork easier and more affordable, encouraging new buyers and a nation of collectors.

Following a successful pilot with nine galleries, Own Art was formally launched by Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Patricia Ferguson in November 2004. Since then an additional 36 galleries across Scotland have been selected to join the scheme.

An Tobar on the Isle of Mull, Brazen Studios in Glasgow, Attic Salt in Edinburgh, Designs Gallery in Castle Douglas and Glasgow School of Art are among the latest galleries to enlist, providing more people across Scotland with the opportunity to purchase artwork by some of the country’s most talented contemporary artists using Own Art.

A number of Own Art galleries will be hosting special Christmas events and exhibitions during the festive period, showcasing a range of artwork with plenty of ideas for unique Christmas gifts including; a jewellery exhibition at Designs Gallery in Castle Douglas, ‘Christmas Present’, an exhibition boasting artwork by over 50 makers from £5 to £450 at the Collins Gallery in Glasgow and an organic wine tasting evening with private viewings of the Works on Paper exhibition, at Amber Roome Gallery in Edinburgh tonight.

Wendy Law, Visual Arts Officer at the Scottish Arts Council and Manager of the Own Art scheme in Scotland said: ‘There has been huge interest in the scheme from galleries and public alike, and the strength of the scheme is due to the fact that so many of Scotland’s reputable galleries are participating. What is particularly special about the scheme in Scotland is the mix of galleries taking part; commercial, public, university and artist led galleries. On offer to people is a great range of work by contemporary artists, as well as a facility to make buying art affordable through an interest free loan.’

Speaking about joining the Own Art scheme Kate Davies of Designs Gallery said: 'The Own Art scheme is an excellent way of attracting a new and wider audience to the gallery. We exhibit and sell jewellery and crafts by professional Scottish makers and feel that the scheme offers good opportunities to promote the arts in this area and nationally. It is important for customers to feel comfortable in buying a piece of art and this will help a great deal.'

The 14 latest galleries to join Own Art are: An Tobar, Isle of Mull; An Tuireann, Isle of Skye; Attic Salt, Analogue*, Level 7, Talbot Rice Gallery* and The Embassy*, Edinburgh; Brazen Studios, Glasgow School of Art/Mackintosh Gallery*, Glasgow; Gallery Heinzel, Aberdeen; Artisanat, Perth; Designs Gallery, Castle Douglas; Queen’s Gallery* and The Fraser Gallery*, Dundee (*denotes more recently selected galleries that will be offering the facility in a few weeks)

There are currently 45 galleries participating in the scheme. For a full list visit: http://www.scottisharts.org.uk/1/artsinscotland/visualarts/ownart/participatinggalleries.aspx