The woman behind ‘The Very Fabric’ show says it will focus on the ‘much maligned’ aspects of the town and paint them in a far more positive way.
Julie Hollis is staging the mixed media display at her Cloud 9 gallery just off Friar’s Vennel to mark the venue’s fifth birthday.
She said: “Having been here for five years, I’ve had a chance to listen to the opinions of both locals and visitors to the town and, generally speaking, tourists have an altogether brighter view of Dumfries. They see past the empty buildings and charity shops, which seems to be the greatest area of complaint for Doonhamers, and focus on the fabulous shops we do have, the history and the wonderful architecture.
“I set out to show how vital charity shops, especially, are to the local community, and remind people how lucky we are to live in a town like Dumfries.”
The exhibition, supported by charity and community shops close to the gallery, features fully functional textile vases, made from recycled jumpers, and also unusual views of the town framed with upcycled second hand frames.
Julie added: “I’m asking locals to look at the town in an entirely more positive way – instead of constantly putting it down. My fear is that if we continue this maligning of Dumfries, it will have a negative effect on tourism and increase the problem.”
The Very Fabric runs from Tuesday until July 28 and five per cent of sales will go back to the charity shops involved in the exhibition.
