Spring Fling – Scotland’s Premier Art and Craft Open Studios Event, 28-30 May 2011
Written by author on May 25, 2011
The 9th Spring Fling will take place throughout Dumfries and Galloway from 28-30 May 2011. Over 85 participants across the county will open their doors to the public over the bank holiday weekend giving the opportunity to see artists at work, join a workshop or just buy while travelling to studios amid some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. This is the most successful artist open studios event of its kind in Scotland.
In addition to the core open studios trail there is an exciting programme of additional events for Spring Fling visitors, including a ceilidh and hog roast, magical mystery bus tours and a free guided bike ride and guided walk. New for this year will be a guided Spring Fling walk on Sunday 29 May which will take in 3 artists at 2 studios. (Details of these activities are at end of release).
This year’s artist-in-residence, Deirdre Nelson is a graduate of Glasgow School of Art. She is a textile artist whose work uses research into textile and social history. Narrative plays a part in her creations, which combine traditional and contemporary techniques. In 2008 she received the Jerwood Makers Award.
Based at The Bookshop in Wigtown, Nelson’s exhibition is the result of a 10-day Spring Fling residency at Wigtown Book Festival last autumn. Wandering through The Bookshop word related textile works are on display. In addition to viewing the works, visitors will be able to add to the collection of ‘favourite words’ on their visit and become part of this ongoing project.
Says Nelson “Throughout the residency I became a ‘word collector’, gathering favourite words from both writers and visitors to the festival. The resulting words have been a source of inspiration for embroidered and printed textile works, which you will discover by roaming the unusual gallery setting of the largest second hand bookshop in Scotland.”
Spring Fling is supported by Dumfries & Galloway Council and EventScotland. More info: spring-fling.co.uk
