Village welcomes back home grown artists for spring show

Jeweller and designer Joanne Garner and artist Katie Anderson, who both hail from the village, will be opening the Old Church Hall as part of this year’s Spring Fling.
Joanne, who studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee before moving to Edinburgh in 2009, is looking forward to seeing lots of new and familiar faces as she returns to Annandale and Eskdale.
Hand-crafting a wide range of products from everyday wear to statement necklaces and wedding jewellery, her pop-up exhibition will also offer visitors the chance to make their very own silver ring.
Delighted to be joining more than 90 other artists for the event, which runs from Stranraer to Eskdalemuir, she said: “Spring Fling is a fantastic showcase of the wealth and breadth of talented artists and makers in Dumfries and Galloway and I feel so privileged to be able to take part in this brilliant open studios event.
“As someone with strong links to the area, I feel that Spring Fling is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen those links by connecting with the region as an artist and maker also.”
Meanwhile, Katie Anderson is hoping to convert the vacant gallery space into a full-time studio after the event.
The visual artist, who creates installation work including objects, audio and film, will
also be holding drop-in workshops across the weekend.
She added: “Spring Fling is a really great opportunity to showcase the wide range of
creative talent there is in our region.
“I’ve previously been part of the event in Kirkcudbright and am really looking forward to introducing my work a little closer to home.”
■ SPRING Fling events run from Saturday May 23 to Monday May 25 in various venues across the region.
Joanne and Katie will be holding a preview evening in the Old Church Hall, Brydekirk
next Friday from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Furthermore, a converted black taxi cab, which is part of the Running on Empty project, will also visit the village on Monday May 25 from 1.30 pm to 3 pm to provide free canapés and drinks on the last day of the event.