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Dozens of Artists and Makers Prepare to Fling Open Their Studios

Dumfries and Galloway gears up to welcome visitors for Scotland’s premier open studios visual arts and craft weekend

Painters, jewellery makers, potters and woodworkers across Dumfries and Galloway are preparing to throw open their doors to the public.

Spring Fling, Scotland’s premier open studios visual art and craft weekend takes place from 26-28 May, with 86 specially selected artists and makers taking part.

It’s a chance for visitors to meet remarkable people and look round lovely studios all across one of the country’s most beautiful rural regions – taking in charming small towns and villages, along with rolling hills and rugged coastline.

The participants offer a warm welcome to their houses, cottages, farms, gardens and purpose-built studios.

As ever the organisers have suggested colour coded routes that visitors can follow to enjoy a wide selection of studios.

The Green Route, centred on the area round Thornhill, features 11 studios and a gallery. They include furniture-maker Philip Wilson, potter Ruth Elizabeth Jones, and painters Alison Proudlock and Katharine Wheeler as well as Alison Macleod whose jewellery is inspired by heirloom treasures, and Kaz Robertson who makes colourful resin jewellery.

Joanna Macaulay, Events and Exhibitions Manager for Upland which runs Spring Fling, said: We’re really looking forward to welcoming visitors to the 16th annual Spring Fling.
“As ever there’s a huge amount to see and do, with the chance to meet an amazing variety of artists and makers and visit all sorts of wonderful studios in one of Scotland’s loveliest regions.
“For some visitors it’s a chance to visit people and places they’ve come to know well over the years, but there’s also plenty that’s fresh and new.”

This year Spring Fling has rug makers for the first time. They are Laura Derby in Kirkcudbright, who makes tufted rugs, and Penny Lilley in Castle Douglas whose rag rugs have bright, bold colours and use recycled fabrics.

Councillor Adam Wilson, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Events Champion, said: “Spring Fling provides a compelling reason to slow down for one or two days and connect with artists and craft makers.
“It is uplifting to travel through the beautiful Dumfries and Galloway countryside and know that you will find inspirational works of art and highly skilled artisan craft makers and visual artists across the region.
“Spring Fling gives our artists and makers the opportunity to show case their work and its great to see so many taking part again, for what is a stand out event in the region’s events calendar.”

 

Who’s on which route

Blue (including Wigtown, Whithorn, Newton Stewart)

  1. Lisa Hooper – printmaker
  2. Elizabeth Perry – painting, drawing, mixed media
  3. Peter Wareing – ceramics
  4. Kevan McGinty – painter
  5. Hope London – paintings, drawings
  6. Davy Brown – painter
  7. Sarah Stewart – original printmaker
  8. Laura Hudson Mackay (Wigtown Residency) – photographic artist
  9. Gail Kelly – printmaker and textiles
  10. Gary Craig – painter
  11. Kay Ribbens – hats
  12. Suzi Plunkett – illustration
  13. Andy Priestman – ceramics
  14. Elizabeth Gilbey – painter

 

Purple (centred of Kirkcudbright)

  1. Alistair Hamilton – photographer
  2. Laura Derby – textiles
  3. Sarah Rogers – jewellery
  4. Lucy Hadley – illustration
  5. Morag Macpherson – textiles
  6. Lizzie Farey – willow weaver
  7. Maggie Ayres – painting, mixed media
  8. Heather Davies – – painting, drawing, mixed media
  9. Claire Cameron Smith – printmaker
  10. Heather M Nisbet – painting, drawing, mixed media
  11. Jennie Ashmore – painting, drawing, mixed media
  12. Janet Ibbotson – textiles
  13. Suzanne Stuart Davies – painting, drawing, mixed media
  14. Geoff Forrest – willow weaver
  15. Fitch and McAndrew – ceramics
  16. Hazel Campbell – painter

 

Pink (including Castle Douglas and New Galloway)

  1. Angela Lawrence – painter
  2. Penny Lilley – textiles
  3. Michal Sur – photographer
  4. Phil McMenemy – photographer
  5. Jo Gallant – textiles
  6. Patti Lean – painting, drawing, mixed media
  7. Adam Booth – architectural and sculptural metalwork
  8. Pamela Grace – printmaker
  9. Clare Dawdry – pottery
  10. Amanda Simmons – glass
  11. Natalie Vardey – jewellery
  12. Jane Howe – painting, drawing, mixed media

 

Orange (from Dumfries down to Rockcliffe)

  1. Roger Lever – photography
  2. Christine Hester Smith – ceramics
  3. Wendy Kershaw – ceramics
  4. Philippa Sinclair – painting, drawing, mixed media
  5. John Threlfall – painting, drawing
  6. Catherine Coulson – painting, drawing, mixed media
  7. Ailsa Black – painting, drawing
  8. Val Macadam – illustration
  9. Archie McCall – ceramics
  10. Michael Pell – jewellery
  11. David Rae – painting, drawing, mixed media
  12. Fraser Irvine – painting, drawing, mixed media
  13. Luke Fitch – painter
  14. Shona Guthrie – jewellery
  15. Steven Burnie – painting, drawing, mixed media
  16. William Spurway – painting, drawing, mixed media
  17. Christopher Taylor – ceramics
  18. Alison Fair Bixler – textiles
  19. Kyna Hodges – photography
  20. Andrew Adair – ceramics
  21. Annie Coxey – painting, drawing, mixed media
  22. Emma Visca – painting, drawing, mixed media
  23. Helen Acklam – painting, drawing, mixed media

 

Green (around Thornhill)

  1. Max Nowell – sculptor
  2. Clare Melinsky – illustrator and printmaker
  3. Alison Proudlock – painter
  4. Katharine Wheeler – painter
  5. Alison Macleod – jewellery
  6. Kaz Robertson – jewellery
  7. Anne Butler – painting, drawing, mixed media
  8. Terri Campbell – jewellery
  9. Philip Wilson – furniture
  10. Emma Varley – painter
  11. Ruth Elizabeth Jones – ceramics

 

Red (taking in Lockerbie and Langholm)

  1. Minette Bell Macdonald – painting, drawing, mixed media
  2. Bella Green – jewellery
  3. Margaret Walty – illustration
  4. Jo Walker – ceramics
  5. Lisa Rothwell Young – jewellery
  6. Daniel Lacey – furniture
  7. Miles Moore Ceramics – ceramics
  8. Michael Batey – painter
  9. Heather Blanchard – painter
  10. Colin Blanchard – original prints