Not to Scale at Gracefield, Dumfries

Moniaive-based artist and performer Alex Rigg has made design for theatre and dance since 1984. Throughout this year, he has been working on a new project and this summer at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries we have the opportunity to enjoy a fascinating insight into his work.

“Not To Scale” is a new project for 2016 and draws inspiration from electromagnetism and the impact of physical size in the context of the performance landscape. This specially curated exhibition will present and explore Alex’s recent design thinking and costumes and will include an active element of making during the course of the exhibition – drop in to the gallery to see what’s happening – a daily diary will be posted with activities. The show has been put together by Denise Zygadlo, an artist living and working in Dumfries and Galloway, and also a previous exhibitor at Gracefield with her textile exhibition ‘Wrap’ shown in July 2014.

As well as the exhibition and activities there will be a live performance on 20^th August ,7pm (approx. 1hr.) Tickets are £5 with under 16s free when accompanied by a paying adult.  Contact the Midsteeple box office for tickets on 01387 253383.  The exhibition will be open to view on that evening too, plus Gracefield usual exhibition hours of Tuesday-Saturday 10am to 5pm, continuing until Saturday 10^th Sept.   If you aren’t sue where Gracefield is, follow the handy AA signs that will be up around town for the summer.

Over in Gallery 1, The Dumfries and Galloway Fine Arts Society stages it annual summer exhibition, which continue until 13 August.  From painting and drawing to craft and sculpture, there is always something to catch the eye and as most are available to buy, it’s the ideal exhibition to start or enhance your art collection! Over 300 works are submitted for selection by an invited panel and the chosen works are then laid out by the exhibition committee, led by exhibition organiser Kathleen Woods, and then hung and displayed by the Gracefield team.

Councillor Tom McAughtrie commented “These exhibition show the wonderful variety of different art happening in Dumfries and Galloway, from the best of amateur and professional artwork presented at the Fine Arts to a truly unique talents of performer  Alex Rigg. His Costume exhibition will be one of the highlight of the summer season and a great one for family visits – can’t wait to see the selfies from the activity space!

Admission to exhibitions is always free and there’s also the Gracefield Craft Shop, which will have its usual selection of the best of local makers shown alongside selected national artists and Café Hubbub, which also features a changing exhibition programme.  Over the summer Hubbub will feature photographs by Michal Sur, 28 June – 30 July, followed by paintings by local artist Gordon Robertson, 2 Aug-3 Sept.