The biggest ever Spring Fling weekend was a huge success, with visitors dropping in at more than 100 art and craft studios across Dumfries and Galloway.
Many also took the opportunity to explore the countryside of one of Scotland’s most beautiful regions.
Joanna Jones, Assistant Director of Upland CIC which organises the weekend, said: “It’s been another great year, with lots of visitors from all over Scotland and the rest of the UK enjoying studios from The Mull of Galloway and Stranraer to Moffat, and everywhere in between.
“We’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who came along to browse, chat and buy – showing such great support and appreciation for the amazing creative community that we are so lucky to have in Dumfries and Galloway.
“And thanks also to all the artists and makers who took part – and spend so much time making preparations to welcome visitors into their studios and homes.”
This year’s event ran from 25-27 May and included a total of 104 studios (including everything from Shambellie House at New Abbey to a painted caravan in Stranraer).
They exhibited painting, pottery, photography, woodwork, textiles, jewellery and more.
Visitors were also able to see the new Spring Fling Rural Mural created on the walls of the boathouse overlooking the sea in Stranraer’s Agnew Park.
Joanna also thanked Kilgallioch Community Fund, which supported the rural mural, as well as event funders Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Barfil Trust.
Picture by Colin Tennant.
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Editors’ notes
About Spring Fling
- Spring Fling made its name a Scotland’s premier visual art and contemporary craft open studios event covering all Dumfries and Galloway, South West Scotland. It is the flagship annual event of Upland CIC.
- For further details visit www.spring-fling.co.uk or contact [email protected]
- For the full list of participating studios visit www.spring-fling.co.uk.
- Brochures can be ordered from the website and will be available in April.
- Spring Fling is pleased to once again have the support from Dumfries & Galloway Council as one of the region’s Signature Events.
- The open studios event also plays an important role in supporting artists and makers who are often working in remote areas – and contributes significantly to the region’s economy.
- Since its conception, Spring Fling has attracted around 174,000 visitors who have made over 546,000 studio visits.
- In 21 years over £10.2 million has been spent in the studios and the event has brought over £17.5 million for the region’s economy.
- Visitors will be able to follow six colour-coded routes taking them round studios in different parts of the region.
- Some studios will have special evening openings and there will be other attractions like walking and bus tours and, demonstrations on the lead up to the event.
About Upland
Upland CIC (Community Interest Company) supports artists and makers based in, and with connections to, the region. It delivers, events, training, networking, support and opportunities as part of a year-round programme to benefit the region, its artists, communities and economy. Upland CIC runs the annual Spring Fling contemporary visual art and craft open studios weekend in Dumfries and Galloway. It will work closely with other arts bodies in the region to further-strengthen the sector. Upland is based at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries and exists to:
- produce and deliver festivals, events, and experimental projects of the highest quality
- nurture an environment where artistic excellence thrives and grows
- inspire and educate a wide range of audiences, customers and clients to understand, celebrate, be actively engaged in and supportive of visual art and craft practice
- raise the profile of visual artists and makers locally, nationally and internationally fulfilling a crucial role in the culture and tourism of Dumfries and Galloway
- build strategic partnerships at regional, national and international level
- maintain a financially sound and adaptively resilient organisation
- work to the benefit the local economy and the sustainability of local communities.
Its funders are Creative Scotland, D&G Council, The Holywood Trust, The Barfill Trust.
About Creative Scotland
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. We enable people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life. We distribute funding provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery. For further information about Creative Scotland please visit www.creativescotland.com. Follow us @creativescots and www.facebook.com/CreativeScotland.
For media information contact Matthew Shelley on 07786 704299 or at [email protected] or call Upland on 01387 213 218.