Artist Astrid Jaekel has wallpapered the outside of around a dozen shops and other buildings in the centre of Wigtown ahead the town’s 20thannual book festival.
Each design tells a story about a building in Scotland’s National Book Town.
The results will be a spectacular sight for the thousands of visitors expected during the 10-day event, which begins this Friday.
Astrid, from Edinburgh, said:“People find the town charming and are often curious to find out more about it. So these designs have all been created to say something about what the places have been, and the things they have seen, past and present.”
In some cases she is wallpapering the entire building, in other cases one wall, and sometimes she has used “spot art”.
Working in conjunction with author Jessica Fox and Irish street artist Joe Caslin, she has come up with delightful, amusing and striking images.
The festival office, once a tearoom, is covered with riotously celebratory images including a teapot steam coming from its spout in the shape of the figure 20.
A former fishmonger and pottery is now decorated with swimming fish and large jars, while three racing greyhounds are galloping across the wall next to a former bookies.
The tunnel next to the former Galloway Inn has an artwork that recalls the days when it used to be a place for patrons to tether their horses.
The Open Book bookshop, which visitors can hire and run for a working holiday, recalls the moment in 2017 when a guest proposed to his girlfriend.
Adrian Turpin, Wigtown Book Festival’s Artistic Director, said: “We wanted to do something really special to celebrate the story of the town for its 20thfestival and Astrid’s artwork does this in a really fun and stylish way.
“It will make a fantastic backdrop for an event that is bringing brilliant national, international and regional literature and poetry to south west Scotland.”
The artworks will only have a limited shelf life and will be removed after around a month.
The festival itself, which runs from 21 to 30 September, features a host of events and activities for all ages and interests and the programme includes theatre, film, debates and even a talent contest and fun run.
Guests include First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, broadcaster, writer and presenter Clare Balding, bestselling author Patrick Gale, and comedian Susan Calman.
Others includecomedian and radio presenter Robin Ince, historian Tom Devine, writer and comedian Arabella Weir, philosopher John Gray,mountain walker and writer Cameron McNeish and broadcaster and writer Sally Magnusson.
The festival is supported by Dumfries and Galloway Council, EventScotland part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, Creative Scotland and The Holywood Trust.
For full details of Wigtown Book Festival go to wigtownbookfestival.com.
- Festival goers will also be warmly invited to attend another colourful regional event – The Kirkcudbright Festival of Light, which will be taking place in Scotland’s Artists’ Town from 5 to 14 October – see www.kirkcudbrightlight.com.
- Lovers of crime writing can also enjoy the Bloody Scotland festival in Stirling from 21-23 September. See https://bloodyscotland.com.
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For further information and interview requests contact Matthew Shelley on 07786 704299 or [email protected]
Picture by Colin Hattersley
About EventScotland
EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews.
EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland. For more information about VisitScotland see www.visitscotland.orgor for consumer information on Scotland as a visitor destination see www.visitscotland.com.
About Year of Young People 2018
- A global first, YoYP 2018 is a part of the Scottish Government’s themed-year programme which focuses on celebrating Scotland’s greatest assets.
- A year-long programme of events and festivals are taking place across the whole of the country for all ages to enjoy, led by EventScotland part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate. More information at www.visitscotland.com/yoyp2018
- Local authorities, schools, youth groups and organisations are running their own YoYP 2018 activity. Search #YOYP2018 on Twitter for the latest news.
- Young people co-designed the Year. A group of young leaders, Communic18, lead on all key decision making.
- The Year is delivered in partnership between the Scottish Government, VisitScotland and EventScotland – part of the VisitScotland Events Directorate, Young Scot, Scottish Youth Parliament, Children in Scotland, YouthLink Scotland and Creative Scotland.
- More information can be found at yoyp2018.scot, searching @YOYP2018 #YOYP2018 on Twitter or by emailing [email protected]
Wigtown Festival Company Ltd, 11 North Main Street, Wigtown, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland, UK, DG8 9HN © 1999 – 2018. Wigtown Festival Company Ltd is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. Scottish Charity No. SCO37984