OVER 80 art studios scattered across Dumfries and Galloway are preparing to take part in this year’s Spring Fling.
Six suggested routes will enable visitors to explore the creativity of the region, with everything on show from ceramics, tapestry and costumes, to painting and jewellery – and much more.
One of those participating from May 24-6 is young blacksmith Nate Robinson, above, whose forge is located at Thornhill. This is where he makes his metal creations, from miniature cows to a 700kg dragon. The garden is also dotted with steel dinosaurs, life-sized sheep made from bedsprings, and a 7.3 metre-tall eating fork.
Nate said: “Spring Fling should be lots of fun this year – I love creating things at a grand scale and will have plenty to look at with the dragon, dinosaurs, sheep and a cat.
“A lot of my work is specially commissioned, making just about anything people can imagine.
“A couple saw my work on social media and called me to ask if I could make them a dragon. It’s been a brilliant challenge. They came round to see it a little while ago, decided it’s a ‘she’ – I’m hoping she will look pretty impressive in their garden.
“And I really enjoy giving demonstrations of how I work in the forge.
Another of the attractions will be a giant robot arm, which Nate is planning to programme to do some very surprising tricks.
The full Spring Fling list
Ceramics: Andrew Priestman, Clare Dawdry, Fitch & McAndrew, Heather Armstrong, Joshua Williams, Mary Gladstone, Rebecca Woods, Ruth Elizabeth Jones, Samuel Sparrow, Frances Ross, Julian Francis, Lorna Phillips
Costume design: Alexander Rigg
Glass: Amanda J Simmons, Katy Quinn
Hand-forged knives: Chris Renshaw, Timothy Westley
Hats: Kay Ribbens
Illustration: Ailsa Black, Louisa Birdsall, Sarah Stewart, Suzi Plunkett
Jewellery: Alison Macleod, Jesse Ball, Kaz Robertson, Natalie Vardey, Sheena McMaster, Sonny Cooper
Metalwork: Adam Booth, Nathan Robinson
Mixed Media: Alison Corfield, Linda Mallett, Martha Schofield, Murray Young, Rhiannon D Dewar, Stephanie Lightbown
Painting and Drawing: Angela Lawrence, Anne Butler, Elizabeth Dagg, Elizabeth Gilbey, Gloria Newlan, Hazel Campbell, Heather Davies, Heather M Nisbet, Kate Bentley SWA, Kevan McGinty, Martin Clarkson, Michael Johnson, Scott McFarlane, Amanda Hayler, Catherine Corfield, Maggie Ayres, Mark Welland, Catherine Coulson, Julie Hollis, Sally Jennings, Suzanne Stuart Davies
Photography: Alistair Hamilton, David Quinn, Claire Cameron-Smith, Joshua Miles, Laura Boswell, Sarah Ross-Thompson, Alan Cameron, Pamela Grace
Sculpture: Kerry Samantha Boyes
Textiles: Jo Gallant, Morag Macpherson, Rebecca McLellan, Gail Kelly, Laura Derby, Yvette Phillips, Linda Ann Irving, Gyllian Thomson, Louisa Ruthven
Wood: Jane Alison Fraser, Jay Rubinstein, Daniel Lacey, Ian Cameron-Smith, Rachel Ashcroft, Mike Dixon.
- Pic above of Nate by Colin Hattersley
