Spring Fling Christmas Party 2009

Huge thanks to the main schemers and organisers of the Spring Fling Christmas party who were Hazel Campbell and Lizzie Farey pictured here during the preparation last friday afternoon. Held in Rhonehouse village hall all members of SFOS were invited to bring a pot luck Indian meal and meet other members and Gracefield Arts Team staff.

Good food, a good quiz - all SF questions of course, and a great guess the crafts person that was the baby in the picture competition, an A5 piece of art work swap and great company. How much better can it be? Lizzie Farey, on behalf of the village hall committee offers "especial thanks for the very generous donation towards our Village Hall roof repairs and new lighting. A brilliant example of Spring Fling's impact on local communities!"

To Rhonehouse Village Hall we say thank you for having us.

During the event. . .

Studio 50 in the sun, willow weaving demonstrations with Lizzie Farey.

Studio 59, Kay Ribbens' fabulous hats being tried out and bought by visitors today.

SFOS Committee Members Updates.

Here are a few updates from some of your Spring Fling Open Studios Committee members just to get a feel for some of the things they are up to at the moment. More to follow soon so watch this space.

Having come back from Glasgow Art Fair slightly disappointed, then back from London rather confused after talking to some of the gallery owners there, I was really delighted to hear that I had won the Plein Air prize at Paisley Art Institute which is a week in a studio in BURGUNDY !! Brilliant!! We are going in the middle of September. Definitely feel much more enthusiastic!

Best wishes Hazel Campbell - Studio 49 on the Red Route.

Having participated in every Spring Fling to date I am now having a year off. One of the downsides of the event for me has always been the envy invoked by Spring-Flinging visitors' accounts of their visits to other studios. So this year, though I will have my own studio open as usual on the Saturday and Monday, I am very excited at the prospect of spending the Sunday seeing Spring Fling from the other side.
Jo Gallant

Lizzie Farey - Studio 50 on the Red Route - has been recently appointed as a Specialist Advisor for Crafts to the Scottish Arts Council. Definitly good to have someone from the region there.

Spring Fling Open Studios Committee members at their post Christmas meal.

Don't forget if you are a Spring Fling Participant and have a story to tell about your Spring Fling 2009 preparation do let us know. Or have you visited Spring Fling in previous years? Tell us about it.

Spirit of Air

Running from Saturday March 6th through to Saturday April 18th Lizzie Farey's "Spirit of Air" exhibition is currently at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries before touring to a number of venues across Britain. This solo show is an exhibition of new large scale expressive willow works which is the culmination of a twelve month Creative Development award from the Scottish Arts Council.

Using willow, birch, heather, bog myrtle and many other locally grown woods, Lizzie's work has developed from strong traditional baskets through to the very expressive organic sculptural forms for which she is well known and these new wall based "inscriptions" that the current exhibition highlights so well. Having taken part in Spring Fling since it's inception Lizzie's studio, number 50 on the Red Route, is in a converted barn, part of a small cluster of studios at Lochdougan House near Castle Douglas which is also home to fine artist Bea Last and potter Hannah McAndrew.