This weekend you can seize the chance to find some very special handmade gifts created by the superb artists, designers and makers taking part in the Upland made winter art and craft fair.
It’s a family-friendly event with activities for children including soft play and drop-in have-a-go pottery sessions with Clay Works Studio.
There will be ceramics demonstrations from Andrew Adair and Ruth E Jones, plus textiles demonstrations by Helen Walsh and Laura Derby.
A great selection of food and drink from the Stockbridge Mac & Cheese Co and Easterbrook Café is also available.
Joanna Jones, Upland Assistant Director, said: “There’s a real sense of excitement about Upland made – people are really looking forward to having the chance to find something beautiful and special as a gift for their loved ones, or to treat themselves.
“And there will be plenty for all the family to enjoy, with activities for children, stalls to browse, plus craft demonstrations and great food.
“It’s also a great chance to meet, and support, some of the brilliant artists, designers and makers who we have in Dumfries and Galloway – and see something different from what you find in chain stores and on most high streets.”
Upland made takes place at Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries on 5 and 6 November.
Last year’s inaugural event proved highly popular, allowing people to buy bespoke, handmade jewellery, pottery, paintings, original prints, glassware and many other hand-made and individually created pieces that aren’t available in most shops.
All the artists and makers taking part are members of Upland and many are regular participants in the region’s open studios weekend.
Upland hopes the event will become a regular fixture in the events calendar offering the chance to buy from multiple artists and makers under one roof, a different experience to its flagship event, Spring Fling, which leads visitors around studios across the region.
The event, featuring around 35 artists and makers, is staged by Upland CIC, the Dumfries and Galloway art and craft development organisation, and supported by Dumfries and Galloway Council, to promote local shopping initiatives.
Archie Dryburgh, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, said: “There is real potential for Upland Made to grow, and to showcase the work of our many talented artists and craft makers. It is important, more than ever, to support projects that try and retain spending in our local economy, and this event certainly encourages this.”
John Campbell, Vice Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, added: “The council has provided the funding for the project and we value the work of Upland CIC. As a council, we continue to provide support and financial assistance to projects like the Upland CIC.”
The artists and makers you can see are:
- Ailsa Black (painting)
- Hazel Campbell (painting)
- Anne Butler (painting)
- Gail Kelly (printmaking),
- Alan Cameron (printmaking)
- Clare Dawdry (ceramics)
- Helen Walsh (mixed media/textiles)
- Jesse Ball (jewellery)
- Jay Rubinstein (wooden mobiles)
- Ruth Elizabeth Jones (ceramics)
- Morag Macpherson (textiles),
- Tricia Barna and Andy Philpott (painting/furniture)
- Heather Armstrong (ceramics),
- Natalie Vardey (jewellery)
- Jo Shennan (mixed media)
- Josh Williams (ceramics)
- Daniel Lacey (wood/furniture)
- Laura Derby (textiles)
- Val Macadam (illustration)
- Ruth Hanson (mixed media)
- Peter Smith (wood)
- Liz Dagg (painting)
- Pamela Grace (painting/ printmaking)
- Kay Ribbens (textiles)
- Andrew Adair (ceramics)
- Sarah Stewart (printmaking)
- Fitch & McAndrew (ceramics)
- Jo Gallant (textiles)
- Jackie Zehnder (ceramics)
- Suzanne Stuart Davies & Julian Francis (painting/ceramics)
- Janet Ibbotson (textiles)
- Sue Hughes (textiles)
- Dorothy Stewart (textiles)
- Lucy Hadley (printmaking).
Details
What: Upland made visual art and craft fair.
Where: Main Hall, Easterbrook Hall, The Crichton, Bankend Rd, Dumfries, DG1 4TA.
When: Saturday 5 November 12pm- 5pm and Sunday 6 November, 10am-4pm.
What’s happening when
| Saturday | Sunday |
| All day: Children’s drop-in sessions with Clay Works | All day: Children’s drop-in sessions with Clay Works |
| All day: Café & soft play | All day: Café & soft play |
| Demo: 1.30pm Laura Derby – Textiles | Demo: 11.30am Andrew Adair – Ceramics |
| Demo: 3.30pm Ruth E Jones – Ceramics | Demo: 2.30pm Helen Walsh – Textiles |
- See the Upland website at www.weareupland.com/events/upland-made
Ends
Notes for editors
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.
For media information contact Matthew Shelley on 07786 704299 or at [email protected] or call Upland on 01387 213 218.