- Seven free workshops explore the benefits of creativity
- Forty stands filled with superb hand-made art and craft
Hand-made art and craft will combine with health and wellbeing at this year’s Upland made event which features more than 40 stands and seven workshops.
It’s also a chance to meet Natasha Kinsella who has recently started work as the Events and Exhibitions Development Manager for Upland CIC arts development organisation.
Natasha, who previously worked for Craft Scotland before moving to Dumfries and taking a post at Moat Brae, will take the lead in running events like Upland made, and Upland’s flagship Spring Fling open studios weekend.
Upland made, which takes place at Easterbrook Hall, The Crichton, Dumfries on 2 and 3 November, is a great opportunity to find hand-made and individually created pieces from some of the finest artists and makers in Dumfries and Galloway.
In addition to familiar faces from the past there will be newcomers such as:
- husband and wife Andrew and Gwen Adair, a potter and painter
- Bella Green, maker of polymer clay jewellery
- plus Mike Dixon and family – who create everything from soaps to furniture.
All those taking part are Upland members, and many are Spring Fling regulars.
OutPost Arts will present free Made WELL workshops where the public can get creative.
Led by experienced artists and makers (and supported by the DG Creative Wellbeing Project) they focus on the wellbeing benefits of creative activity.
These include sessions on creative photography with your phone, clay figure making and watercolours.
Natasha said: “I’m excited for this year’s Upland made. The fair has become a lively celebration of local talent, offering a unique chance to find exceptional gifts from skilled artists and makers.
“The diverse range of workshops adds to the experience, showcasing how creativity can enhance our well-being. You will have the opportunity to explore the connection between creativity and wellbeing through activities like, clay figure making, tapestry weaving and creative writing. We are delighted to be partnering with OutPost arts to make this happen.”
Lucy Bell, OutPost Arts Creative Health & Wellbeing Director, added: “OutPost Arts’ DG Creative Wellbeing Project is delighted to work in partnership again with the Upland made team to host the 2024 Made WELL programme. The taster sessions have been designed to encourage positive changes that support wellbeing through hands-on participation.
“This year a really diverse range of talented regional artists and makers have been commissioned to deliver accessible workshops that will allow attendees to express themselves, relax and unwind and explore new creative practises – from tapestry, photography, bookmaking and clay to creative writing, watercolour painting and mark-making – there truly is something for everyone to enjoy!”
This year visitors will be able to choose from painting and original prints, pottery, jewellery, works in wood – from spoons to mobiles – textiles and hand-crafted chef knives. There will also be greetings cards, festive decorations and much more, with prices to suit every pocket.
Easterbrook Hall will have a pop-up café with warming food, tea, coffee and cakes.
Amy Martella, Upland Creative Director, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Natasha to our team. Her experience in the arts sector and knowledge of Dumfries and Galloway make her ideal for a role that will see her take charge of Scotland’s premiere open studios event as well as leading the development of Upland made and many other projects.”
Workshops:
Saturday
- 12.30-1.30pm – Elizabeth Stephenson: Surface Pattern Using Everyday Items – Unleash your creativity to create a greeting card using expressive patterns and mark-making techniques.
- 2-3pm – Kim Ayres: Introduction to Creative Photography with Your Phone – Learn to use your phone camera creatively, receiving expert insight into the rules of composition, effective use of light and shadow, and conveying a story.
- 3.30-4.30pm – Martha Schofield: Booklet Making with Reused and Found Paper – Using mark-making and hand-stitched binding techniques, create a unique hand-made A6 booklet.
Sunday
- 10:30-11:30am – Lesley Bradley: Creative Expression with Visual Arts and Creative Writing – Visual art as a prompt for creative writing with an author’s guidance to create a short piece of prose or a poem.
- 12-1pm – Ruth Elizabeth Jones: Clay Figure Making – Explore clay modelling and practice surface decoration techniques to create your very own unique ceramic figure.
- 2-3pm – Gyllian Thomson: Introduction to Tapestry Weaving – An exploration of colour and yarn with expert guidance to create a small tapestry on a scaffold loom.
- 3.30-4.30pm – Roslynn Hilsley: Positive Watercolour Affirmations – Create a thoughtful and meaningful visual ‘note to self’ postcard using accessible drawing and painting techniques.
Listings details:
- What: Upland made
- Where: Main Hall, Easterbrook Hall, The Crichton, Bankend Road, Dumfries, DG1 4TA
- When: Saturday 2 November 12pm-5pm, Sunday 3 November 10am to 4pm
- Tickets: £1 and free for under 12s.
This year’s Upland made is funded by Creative Scotland, Community Creative Wellbeing and delivered in collaboration with Easterbrook Hall and OutPost Arts
- See the Upland website at www.weareupland.com.
Ends
Notes for editors
About Natasha
Natasha is originally from Northern Ireland and graduated with a master’s in Art, Aesthetics, and Cultural Institutions from Liverpool University. With over 15 plus years of experience in the creative arts, she has built a career around project management and my passion for arts and community engagement. She started out in contemporary art galleries, where she learned how to support and showcase artistic talent, which opened doors to a wide range of projects. Natasha has worked on everything from curating exhibitions to managing large-scale events and community arts initiatives.
Natasha lives in Moffat with her husband, two daughters and two dogs.
Before joining Upland CIC, Natasha worked on creative programmes like Bookscovery, which supported artists in delivering inspiring events for children and young people in Dumfries and Galloway.
She also worked for Craft Scotland, particularly in promoting Scottish makers. Her involvement in leading the Meet Your Maker programme and coordinating large-scale events like the Craft Scotland Summer Show and Scotland’s participation in SOFA Chicago gave her valuable experience in presenting and promoting artists on both national and international platforms.
About Upland
Upland CIC (Community Interest Company) supports artists and makers based in, and with connections to, the region. It will 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
- use, and encourage the use of, innovative and emerging digital technology
- 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 William Grant Foundation, The Heritage Lottery Fund, ASWT, Barfill.
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. It enables 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. Creative Scotland distributes 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.
About DG Creative Wellbeing
A ground-breaking, innovative programme of impactful arts activities, initiatives, events, and interventions across D&G, working in both community AND healthcare settings, with support from an alliance of funders. OPA coordinates the Art-in-Healthcare programme in partnership with NHS D&G.
For media information contact Matthew Shelley on 07786 704299 or at [email protected] or call Upland on 01387 213 218.