Spring Fling Taster in Stranraer

The Spring Fling 09 taster exhibition travelled to Stranraer at the weekend and can be seen at the Stranraer Museum until 16th May. It looks fantastic in the upstairs gallery space with a great range of work from Spring Fling 09 participants.

Stranraer Museum

The Old Town Hall, George Street, Stranraer, DG9 7JP

01776 705088

Open weekdays 10am to 5pm and Saturdays 10am to 1pm & 2pm to 5pm

The exhibition opened with pink fizz and strawberries by Meg McColl, a great supporter of the Arts in Dumfries and Galloway, and who used to run a gallery with her husband.

Some of the work is displayed in beautiful 'museum' grade cabinets; below is a huge slip trailed jug by Jason Shakleton (Studio 29 on the Blue route).

A sculpture by Jennifer Watt, dancing through the paintings (Studio 21 on the Blue route).

Many thanks to everyone at the Museum for putting on a wonderful show and supporting Spring Fling.

Textile Art in Castle Douglas Art Gallery

“Connection” is the new exhibition by textile and mixed media artist (and Spring Fling participant), Maggie Ayres, showing at Castle Douglas Art Gallery, adjacent to the library, from 21st April until 2nd May.

Maggie was born and brought up in Dumfries and Galloway and returned to the area about four years ago with a new focus on her developing artwork.

Maggie says, “I have a particular fondness for this venue; I love the space and natural light. And not only is it conveniently placed for my husband to nip across the road with fresh coffee, but it is also the place of my first solo exhibition 2 years ago. I'm really looking forward to it”.

Maggie constructs textile pieces from both natural and hand-dyed silk fibres, loosely woven cottons and soft felted wool. She applies a variety of stitching and acrylic paint to add further texture and depth.

Maggie is taking part in the Spring Fling open studio event and can be visited at studio 48 on the red route.

For more information, visit http://www.maggieayres.co.uk/ and http://www.spring-fling.co.uk/

Maggie will also be showing her work "Connecting the Threads' at Farfield Mill in Sedburgh (http://www.farfieldmill.org/), near Kendal in Cumbria, running from 18th July to 31st August.

'Magical' Mystery Tours

If you’re feeling adventurous, why not sign up for one of our new Magical Mystery Tours?

These three different day tours leaving from Dumfries on 23rd May, from Newton Stewart on 24th May and one from Castle Douglas on 25th May. They will start at around 10am, finish at around 4pm and take in five different studios along the way.

The surprise is that you won’t know which ones until you’re on the bus!

Tickets will cost £10 for adults, or £8.50 for concessions. For more information, or to book a place, please call 01387 262084 or email rhiannon.batten@ dumgal.gov.uk.

Spring Fling Fling

Whether you’re a dab hand with a dashing white sergeant or you’re a ceilidh virgin, all are welcome at the Spring Fling Fling, an evening ceilidh which will kick off at 8pm on Saturday 23 May at Castle Douglas Town Hall. With music by Two Left Feet, one of the finest ceilidh bands in the land, and songs from Damsel Jam, as well as Sulwath Brewery at the helm of the bar, good times are guaranteed.

Tickets cost £7.50 (adults) and £6.50 (concessions) and are available from The Booth or at the McGill Duncan Gallery (231 King Street, Castle Douglas).

Spring Fling at B.C.T.F News Flash

Update from the British Craft Trade Fair today is that Amanda Simmons has received the Highly Commended award from Bluefin who presented the Award For Excellence with the criteria being based on design, innovation and creativity.

Spring Fling at B.C.T.F

This week three of this year's Spring Fling participants are exhibiting at the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate. This show is open from the 5th to 7th April at the Great Yorkshire Showground and is open to trade buyers only and it represents "the best of British makers."
Natalie Vardey's (Studio 55 on the Red Route) beautiful, unique and collectable is on display along with new additions to her Spirit Level range made with silver and acrylic and designed to play on the interaction of light transference and reflections, some with moving parts and others with an illusion of movement.

Amanda Simmons (Studio 33 on the Purple Route) is exhibiting her kiln formed and engraved glass at the show. Her display shows a range of both wall based cameo pieces and large engraved bowls. Amanda's current work is influenced by the rhythms and patterns of her local landscape which she is translating through diamond point engraving, angle grinding and fibre paper into her glass.

Hannah McAndrew's (Studio 52 on the Red Route) slipware is also at the trade show where she is displaying her new Harlequin Range which she feels particularly emphasises the individuality of her work as each piece is treated to a slightly different surface pattern but because of the nature of her work the pieces will all still sit happily together as a family.