Spring Fling artist at Burns Light.

Today marks the start of celebrations for Scotland's Homecoming year.In Dumfries today 10,00 people were expected to gather for a procession of lanterns through the streets of the historic town to gather at the Whitesands for a fire show featuring a wicker sculpture of Tam O'Shanter to be fired on the night. Local willow artist Trevor Leat has been working on the giant Tam O'Shanter sculpture along with fellow artist Alex Rigg.

Trevor has been a part of the Spring Fling since it started and is renowned for his work using natural materials and a number of different weaving techniques. From baskets and hampers to coffins and enormous sculptures for fire festivals and concerts in particular the figure central to the Wickerman music festival.

For the Spring Fling weekend Trevor will open his studio in the village of Auchencairn and will be exhibiting and demonstrating alongside jeweller Natalie Vardey who ups sticks to share Trevors studio for the weekend.

Post number 1

With only 124 days to go till the biggest weekend of the year in the Dumfries and Galloway arts calendar this is the first posting on the Spring Fling's blog. Throughout the year the aim is to keep you informed as things happen in relation to Spring Fling, from images of work being created, studios being feverishly tidied in preparation, interviews with participants and visitors to the countless cups of tea being drunk across the region.

Hopefully this blog will evolve as we go along, any suggestions you may have, please let us know and we will do our best to include them in the blog.