An art and craft showcase and a mini literature festival will herald the beginning of the festive season for Nithsdale.
Art by popular painters Anne Butler, Victor Henderson, Alison Proudlock and Jenny Smith will be on view inside the spacious premises of Zitan, Thornhill, alongside celebration chocolates by the Moniaive Chocolatiers; soaps by Susan Hall; jewellery from Claire Ruddock and Joanna Repton; woodturned crafts by Rolf Buwert; decorated decopatch gifts from Rachel Shilliday of Sparkle Crafts; and authentic Chinese gifts and crafts from Zitan.
The event will be launched on Monday, December 1, at Zitan in Townhead Street. It will run alongside the Thornhill Christmas late night shopping event.
While Christmas shoppers are browsing the stalls and walls for a special gift, WagTongues, pop-up book shop will showcase the region’s literary talent, beginning with a mini literary festival on December 1.
WagTongues is a bookshop which appears without warning in obscure corners of Dumfries and Galloway. Run by the Writers’ Collective, it sells precious things: local books by local people.
From poetry, prose, fiction, fact, adult and children’s books, the extensive list of titles include works by Hugh Bryden, Sally Hinchcliffe, JoAnne McKay, Mary Smith, Sara Bain, Margaret Elphinstone, D D Hall, Gwen Kirkwood, Claire Cogbill, Kriss Nichol and Janet Walkinshaw.
The mini festival provides an opportunity to meet the authors, listen to readings and hear interviews as well as browse through and buy books.
Zitan owner Sue Collins-Taylor said: “Finding a Christmas gift for someone special gets harder every year. There are so many talented people in the area that we thought it a great idea to hold an event where local artists and craftmakers could showcase their works and shoppers could buy some unusual, but affordable gifts.
“We are delighted to welcome WagTongues to the event. All the books are written exclusively by Dumfries and Galloway writers, which helps to add to the celebration of local talent.
“We launch on the Monday when there will be plenty of Christmas cheer on the day from noon to 9pm. Everyone’s invited to come along for a complimentary glass of wine and some festive snacks; speak to the artists, makers and authors; listen to some of the readings; and, of course, buy something unique.”
The Zitan Christmas art, crafts and literature event runs until Saturday, December 6.
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