A series of new and exciting adult creative workshop come to Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries this spring, so if you fancy refreshing your art skills or trying something completely new then we might have just the course for you!
On Saturday 11 April, local artist Pamela Grace leads a one day workshop in drawing in pen and ink – a lovely introduction to a time-honoured art form with an inspiring tutor. This is followed on the 18 April by Jo Dix’s silver clay jewellery. Based in her Cumbrian workshop and shop, Jo has run this workshop to great success twice in recent months here at Gracefield, and mainly because we couldn’t fit everyone in to the workshop at once, we’ve invited her back for a third time! So back by popular demand, and with just a few places remaining, this very special workshop shows you how to create unique cast silver into bespoke jewellery and is not to be missed.
After the Easter holiday, on the 24 and 25 April Gracefiled will welcome Edinburgh-based craft artist Anna King who will be looking at creating folded hand-made artists books and pamphlets.
On 1 and 2 May locally-based weaver Katie Russell, leads a two day tapestry weaving introduction workshop. Later in the spring/summer there will also be workshops in life drawing, photo-plate lithography, collograph printmaking and abstract art – so lots of ways to get your creativity going!
Councillor Tom McAughtrie, Chair of Community and Customer Services Committee for Dumfries and Galloway Council commented;
“It’s a great chance to dust off your apron and try a new challenge”.
For full details of the costs, times and booking method, please visit the website on www.dumgal.gov.uk/gracefield or give us a ring on 01387 262084 to find out more.
Alongside these weekend workshops there is much to see in the exhibition galleries.
The current exhibition, ‘Archie in Oil’ runs in Gallery 2 until 11 April – and we still have some places available in the gallery talk on the 28 March at 2pm (£3 payable on the door, but please ring to book a place). In Gallery 1, ‘Spring Fling Young Artists’ is open until Saturday 4 April, and features jewellery, installation, painting and textiles from six up-and-coming artists.
On the last day of this exhibition, Easter Saturday, there will be our annual Easter Egg hunt, special Easter kids club workshop and free Easter-egg painting art activities for kids (from 11-3pm).
Launching on 18 April, ‘Fabric, Fibre Thread’ is the hotly anticipated textiles exhibition presented every three years by members of the Dumfries Embroiderers, Solway Quilters and Spinners Weavers and Dyers – a must see for anyone interested in traditional and contemporary crafts.
For more details about the gallery talk, classes for adults and kids, exhibitions, events, craft shop and café Hubbub, please give Gracefield a ring on 01387 262084,
visit the website http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/gracefield
Admission to Gracefield is free and there is ample free parking – keep an eye out for the daffodil ‘word sculpture’ in the grounds which will be coming to its peak very soon!
