ONE hundred studios across Dumfries and Galloway will be throwing open their doors for the 21st Spring Fling in May.
The event runs from the 27th to 29th with thousands of visitors expected to attend.
The line up includes contemporary visual artists of every kind – such as painters, illustrators, original printmakers, jewellery makers, potters, willow artists, glass makers, woodworkers, textile artists and even two blacksmiths.
This year there will be 18 new artists and makers, such as ceramicist Abbie La Rooy, who will exhibit at the Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries, visual artists Sally Jennings, in Kirkpatrick Durham, Erinclare Scutton from Port Patrick and Katy Quinn from Kirkcudbright.
Among those returning for 2023 are jewellery maker Lisa Rothwell-Young from Langholm, potter Sam Sparrow from Thornhill, furniture-maker Ian Cameron Smith from Kirkcudbright, photographer Kim Ayres from Castle Douglas and visual artists such as Lisa Hooper from Port William and Joanna Shennan from Dumfries, pictured.
Visitors will be able to follow six colour-coded routes taking them round studios in different parts of the region and some studios will have special evening openings and offer other attractions like walking and bus tours and, demonstrations on the lead up to the event.
Joanna Jones, assistant director at organisers Upland, said: “Artists and makers from all across the region have shown huge enthusiasm for taking part in this year’s Spring Fling – and we’re delighted that visitors will have the chance to visit and enjoy 100 studios.
“As ever, the open studios weekend will be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the art and craft of one of Scotland’s most vibrant creative communities and spend time in a spectacularly beautiful rural region.
“The fact that this year will be the 21st Spring shows just what a successfully and popular event it has become, attracting large numbers of visitors from all over Scotland, the rest of the UK and overseas.”
Since its conception, Spring Fling has attracted around 169,000 visitors who have made over 500,000 studio visits.
In 20 years over £9.9 million has been spent in the studios and the event has brought over £16 million for the region’s economy.
For the full list of participants, go to www.spring-fling.co.uk.
