The open studios event may have had to shift online – but there is still a chance to see work by Spring Fling artists and makers in 14 window displays across Dumfries and Galloway.
These include three Looking In exhibitions specially organised by Upland CIC, which runs Spring Fling, and which are taking place in Langholm, Kirkcudbright and Wigtown until 12 October.
They are a chance to see and buy everything from ceramics and furniture to paintings and jewellery.
The others have been organised by Spring Fling participants and are taking place everywhere from Dumfries to Thornhill and Castle Douglas.
Spring Fling is Scotland’s leading open studios weekend and normally sees around 90 studios across Dumfries and Galloway throw open their doors to the public. But this year the Covid-19 pandemic meant it had to be delayed from its usual time in May and also to move almost exclusively online.
Joanna Macaulay, Assistant Director for Upland Arts Development CIC, said: “We wanted to find ways for people to safely see Spring Fling art and craft in person as well as online and the Looking In window exhibitions are a great way to do that.
“Even better is that artists and makers have been working with galleries and other businesses across the region to showcase their work.
“It’s a really positive example of the way people in Dumfries and Galloway are finding ways to support each other during the pandemic.”
The Looking In exhibitions are at:
- The Look Out, 42-4 High Street, Langholm, DG13 0HJ. This includes work by ceramicist Archie McCall, silversmith Iona Hall, furniture maker Daniel Lacey and visual artists Suzanne Stuart Davies, Heather M Nisbett and Liz McQueen.
- Wigtown Festival Company’s Number 11, North Main Street, DG8 9HN – with arts and craft from painters Hazel Campbell and Hope London, potter Clare Dawdry and mobile maker Jay Rubenstein.
- The Whitehouse Gallery, 47 St Marys Street, DG6 4DU. This features pieces by willow weaver Lizzie Farey, collage artist Jennie Ashmore, jewellery maker Lisa Rothwell Young and painters Catherine Coulson and Julie Hollis.
Further details including descriptions of the pieces on show can be seen in a dedicated area on the Spring Fling website at https://www.spring-fling.co.uk/looking-in/.
The other window displays are at:
- The Book Shop, 17 North Main Street, Wigtown, DG8 9HL – work by Davy Brown
- 13 North Main Street, Wigtown, DG8 9HL – work by Sarah Stewart and Pamela Grace.
- 17 Castle Street, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4JA – work by Alison Corfield and Alistair Hamilton
- WASPS Studios, 117 High Street, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4JG – work by Lizzie Farey
- 10 St Cuthbert Street, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4HZ – work by Laura Derby
- 61 Main Street, Auchencairn, Castle Douglas, DG7 1QU – work by Jennie Ashmore
- Clience Studio, 212 King Street, Castle Douglas, DG7 1DS – work by Angela Lawrence
- Cloud 9 Studio Gallery, 165 Irish Street, Dumfries, DG1 2NN – work by Julie Hollis
- 114 Drumlanrig Street, Thornhill, DG3 5LS – work by Kaz Robertson and Alison Macleod
- Ferndale Studio Porch, Durisdeer Village, Thornhill, DG3 5BJ – work by Anne Butler
- 38 Henry Street, Langholm, DG13 0AS – work by Liz McQueen, Daniel Lacey and Lisa Rothwell Young.
For details of all the artists and to see their Spring Fling online studio pages – as well as those of all this year’s participants – see www.spring-fling.co.uk.
