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 16^th 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)

15. Alistair Hamilton – photographer
16. Laura Derby – textiles
17. Sarah Rogers – jewellery
18. Lucy Hadley – illustration
19. Morag Macpherson – textiles
20. Lizzie Farey – willow weaver
21. Maggie Ayres – painting, mixed media
22. Heather Davies – – painting, drawing, mixed media
23. Claire Cameron Smith – printmaker
24. Heather M Nisbet – painting, drawing, mixed media
25. Jennie Ashmore – painting, drawing, mixed media
26. Janet Ibbotson – textiles
27. Suzanne Stuart Davies – painting, drawing, mixed media
28. Geoff Forrest – willow weaver
29. Fitch and McAndrew – ceramics
30. Hazel Campbell – painter

Pink (including Castle Douglas and New Galloway)

31. Angela Lawrence – painter
32. Penny Lilley – textiles
33. Michal Sur – photographer
34. Phil McMenemy – photographer
35. Jo Gallant – textiles
36. Patti Lean – painting, drawing, mixed media
37. Adam Booth – architectural and sculptural metalwork
38. Pamela Grace – printmaker
39. Clare Dawdry – pottery
40. Amanda Simmons – glass
41. Natalie Vardey – jewellery
42. Jane Howe – painting, drawing, mixed media

Orange (from Dumfries down to Rockcliffe)

43. Roger Lever – photography
44. Christine Hester Smith – ceramics
45. Wendy Kershaw – ceramics
46. Philippa Sinclair – painting, drawing, mixed media
47. John Threlfall – painting, drawing
48. Catherine Coulson – painting, drawing, mixed media
49. Ailsa Black – painting, drawing
50. Val Macadam – illustration
51. Archie McCall – ceramics
52. Michael Pell – jewellery
53. David Rae – painting, drawing, mixed media
54. Fraser Irvine – painting, drawing, mixed media
55. Luke Fitch – painter
56. Shona Guthrie – jewellery
57. Steven Burnie – painting, drawing, mixed media
58. William Spurway – painting, drawing, mixed media
59. Christopher Taylor – ceramics
60. Alison Fair Bixler – textiles
61. Kyna Hodges – photography
62. Andrew Adair – ceramics
63. Annie Coxey – painting, drawing, mixed media
64. Emma Visca – painting, drawing, mixed media
65. Helen Acklam – painting, drawing, mixed media

Green (around Thornhill)

66. Max Nowell – sculptor
67. Clare Melinsky – illustrator and printmaker
68. Alison Proudlock – painter
69. Katharine Wheeler – painter
70. Alison Macleod – jewellery
71. Kaz Robertson – jewellery
72. Anne Butler – painting, drawing, mixed media
73. Terri Campbell – jewellery
74. Philip Wilson – furniture
75. Emma Varley – painter
76. Ruth Elizabeth Jones – ceramics

Red (taking in Lockerbie and Langholm)

77. Minette Bell Macdonald – painting, drawing, mixed media
78. Bella Green – jewellery
79. Margaret Walty – illustration
80. Jo Walker – ceramics
81. Lisa Rothwell Young – jewellery
82. Daniel Lacey – furniture
83. Miles Moore Ceramics – ceramics
84. Michael Batey – painter
85. Heather Blanchard – painter
86. Colin Blanchard – original prints