Dumfries and Galloway harbour town Kirkcudbright, Scotland’s Artists’ Town is to hold a 10-day festival this autumn – celebrating the light that has inspired generations of artists and makers and to mark this year’s opening of its new gallery.
The Kirkcudbright Festival of Light, which runs from 5-14 October, will be an exciting mix of events and entertainment that will light up the beautiful Dumfries and Galloway town.
Streets, buildings and even the famous harbour beach huts will be lit up and there will be a series of delightful installations including an 18ft tall illuminated willow horse.
The festival will be bookended with an international programme, curated by Sally Hobson, which features recitals by Emma Morwood and Jonathan Fisher at the start and concluding with a concert by the Scottish Ensemble.
Hobson, former Head of Creative Learning for the Edinburgh International Festival, said:“We are building on the enormous creative tradition of Kirkcudbright with events that will bring Scottish-based performers with an international profile to the town.
“It’s a chance to enjoy some of the very finest music – starting with a recital of beautiful songs that will enthral and enliven the autumn evening. And the finale will be a serene concert presenting music by Mozart and Brahms.
“A wonderful way to enjoy a lovely town.”
The Kirkcudbright community is also working to stage a whole host of events and activities. There will be light displays in historic streets and hidden corners, craft workshops, a Diwali event, music, a mobile planetarium plus a lantern parade and fireworks.
Colin Saul, who is among the festival organisers, said:“The light of Kirkcudbright has been an inspiration to artists for centuries and this festival is a way for everyone to get together and celebrate its magic.
“And one of the great things about Kirkcudbright is it has such an active community. Lots of people from across the area are getting involved and we would be delighted if more came forward with their own projects to add to the event.”
The Festival of Light will also mark this year’s opening of the new Kirkcudbright Galleries which have provided a permanent home for the “nationally significant” Kirkcudbright Collection – which consists of more than 600 works of art and craft.
The galleries will be hosting Illumphonium, a dynamic and interactive multi-sensoty music-making installation and will also be displaying a specially commissioned glass sculpture inspired by Kirkcudbright’s light and coastal heritage.
Councillor Adam Wilson, the Council’s Events Champion said:“Kirkcudbright is a beautiful, creative place with a charming ambience and a vibrant history as an artists’ town. It is manifestly proud and independent and a wonderful place to visit.
“The community has embraced the new art gallery and conceived the idea of the festival of Light, to illuminate what a special destination Kirkcudbright is, and to showcase its built heritage and creative imagination.
“The council is thrilled to support this project, and to support the long term cultural and economic development of Kirkcudbright artists’ town.”
- For the full programme see https://www.kirkcudbrightlight.com
- For more about the galleries see https://www.kirkcudbrightgalleries.org.uk
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