Have a go at creating your own works of art at Spring Fling studios
Create artworks, win prizes, decorate pottery or make jewellery – this year’s Spring Fling is offering lots of family friendly fun.
Scotland’s premier open studios visual art and craft event takes place in Dumfries and Galloway from 24-26 May and makes an ideal day-trip or weekend away for families.
A total of 95 high quality artists, makers and designers are taking part, with many of them laying on special activities for visitors.
Leah Black, Spring Fling Director, said: “Our exhibitors go out of their way to make people welcome. There are great opportunities to have a go at different art forms, some of them very messy and fun, or to win original works of art.
“Having a toddler myself, I know how good it is to have things available for them to enjoy, especially creative ones where they can take something home afterwards.”
Some of what’s on offer includes:
• Clare Melinsky, Thornhill, illustrator: Make a linocut print of one Clare’s lovely illustrations from Gruffalo author and former children’s laureate Julia Donaldson’s new book Poems to Perform.
• Ailsa Black, Kirkbean, painter: Children can make their own greetings cards for free in Ailsa’s Art Corner.
• Geoff Finch, Potter, Dalton: Colourful fun squirting paint to create Spin Art, glaze and decorate pottery, see the Raku kiln fired up or do some face painting. See Spin Art in action: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up2jrQDfSjs
• Jo Gallant, Castle Douglas, textiles: Create your own motif and have it stitched onto a tote bag. Jo also has a toy box and there’s room outside to run around.
• Lisa Rothwell-Young, Langholm, jewellery: Have a go at making earrings or your very own charm.
• Leeming + Paterson, Dalry, photographers: Bring your own camera for photo workshops, plus photography competition. Children’s refreshments, big Lego box and plenty of space to play.
• Geoff Forrest, New Galloway, willow artist: Geoff will make willow wands with children and bird feeders with adults. The CatStrand where he exhibits has toys, books and a café.
• Phil McMenemy, Laurieston, photographer: Guess the name of the calf competition. His mum’s name is Clarice and Phil has pictures of him on display. The gallery has a large child-friendly garden.
• Sarah Keast, Moniaive, visual artist: Draw your own design and use the special machine to make a badge or fridge magnet. Have a go at printing updated versions of quirky Latin poetry on an Adana press.
• Angela Lawrence, Castle Douglas, painter: Guess the location in one of Angela’s paintings and you could win an original.
• Colin Blanchard, Waterbeck, original printmaker: Colin creates wonderful wildlife images – you can have a go at pulling your own print.
• Marilyn Crawford, Dunscore, painter: Tea, coffee, lemonade or cola, soup, bread, cake and a walled garden with sundial, pond and newts to wander.
• Lisa Hooper, Port William, original printmaker: Try Provincetown printing, a variation on Japanese woodblock printing virtually unknown in Britain.
• Val Macadam, visual artist, Kirkbean: A table with pre-printed outline drawings, with coloured pencils and crayons available for children, or adults, to try out. Plus, win a print by guessing the number of crayon stubbs in a jar.
• Silvana McLean, visual artist, Moniaive: Drawing table and choice of 72 different coloured pencils.
• John Threlfall, Rockliffe, visual artist: Children can ‘have a go’ at pastel painting.
• Kim Ayres, castle Douglas, photography: Prize draw for a photo shoot.
• Kay Ribbens, Kirkcowan, textiles: A children’s corner, basket of toys, paper, crayons etc, pile of books for all ages. Also families are welcome to picnic in our 12 acres of wild garden.
• Joyce Woodcock, Moniaive, textiles: A table loom, floor loom, tapestry loom, peg loom, cardboard looms and a rag rug frame set up which anyone can have a go on.
• Hannah McAndrew, Kelton, potter: Try out slipware decorating techniques using the tools of the trade.
Also, painter Julie Dumbarton has a special project. She has painted 99 mini canvases for Spring Fling which people can buy for £65 each.
Please note that some activities are free but charges apply for others.
