NEWS EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
Hello from my studio, deep in the garden at Meikle Richorn, here in south west Scotland . . .
Over 30 years ago I graduated as an artist in Creative Arts. During those 30 years I have done lots of career development in the shape of courses and workshops, exhibitions, personal practice and getting on with life. My process is a tribute to never standing still and always answering the call of personal creativity, which I believe lives inside every one of us.
ON NOW
DAGFAS 97th ANNUAL EXHIBITION
Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries
6th July - 10th August
I have four pieces of new work in the DAGFAS Annual Show at Gracefield Art Centre, Dumfries. There are 200 exhibits to marvel at and and I recommend a visit. It's a wonderful opportunity to see just what artists in Galloway have to offer.
The DAGFAS Annual Exhibition is currently running at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries. The exhibition runs at Gracefield until 10th August, open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm (closed Sundays and Mondays).
THE SOCIETY OF SCOTTISH ARTISTS
'THREADS'
An Exhibition at Old Gala House, Galashiels
20th July - 30th September 2024
I have a collagraph piece entitled 'warp and weft' in this beautiful exhibition entitled Threads at Old Gala House in Galashiels.
The Scottish Society of Arts is delighted to be collaborating with Live Borders for the first time to present an exhibition of work by SSA Members with the compelling theme of ‘Threads’. The exhibition explores the diverse and intricate connections that weave through the fabric of human experience, fostering a dialogue between artists and viewers alike.
The theme “Threads” serves as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of ideas, cultures, and emotions that form the rich tapestry of our lives. A significant source of inspiration for this exhibition is ‘The Great Tapestry of Scotland’, which is housed in its own building in Galashiels…a monumental work of art that vividly depicts the country’s history and heritage.
COMING UP . . .
SUMMER EXHIBITION
28 July - 10 August 2024
HARBOUR COTTAGE GALLERY
Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway
As an invited artist, I will be taking part in the Summer Exhibition at the Harbour Cottage Gallery in Kirkcudbright. This mixed Summer show is a lovely selection of chosen artists from the area and the Harbour Cottage is delightfully set beside the town's working harbour. The gallery opens daily at 10.30 am and closes at 4 pm. There is no entry charge.
KIRKCUDBRIGHT ARTS and CRAFTS TRAIL
2 - 5 August 2024
This regular and very popular event in Kirkcudbright showcases all forms of the arts over the August Bank Holiday weekend in the town. It's a great day out.
There will be 139 venues open in the town on each of the 4 days. These include shops, tea rooms and galleries but what's different is that, just like in the Spring Fling, artists open up their houses, gardens and studios to visitors. There are also the usual hotspots like the Soaperie gardens by the church, Wasps studios and the Catholic church hall.
This years Trail is promoting and supporting the RNLI, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. Many organisations are contributing to the Kirkcudbright Lifeboat fund towards building their new lifeboat station.
I will be exhibiting, as always, in the Catholic Church Hall - Venue 29. The Hall is a great venue with 9 different artists and crafters under one roof. There is also a café with home baking and light lunches.
There is a fold out guide available - a map with the locations marked . You can see more information on the Trail Facebook page.
AND A RECENT GEM . . .
BOTTLING IT
In January 2022 I was commissioned to make a film of prose and poetry work made by the Women Who Write group in Galloway. The resulting film 'bottling it' was screened at the CatStrand, New Galloway on 17th September 2023, along with a Q&A discussion between myself and the writers and a short writing workshop. Everyone agreed it was a very enjoyable event. To watch the film click here
still from 'bottling it'
photo by Sue Thomas
00:24:29
The film 'bottling it' incorporates the key strands of landscape, traditional female domestic activity – cooking/preserving/nourishing and feeding others; and the emerging sense of self, through relationships, place and time. Through poetry, prose and imagery it unstoppers, decants and spills out memory. It invites introspection and a sense that there is more to talk about, to explore and appreciate. It offers a feeling of reflection and connection to the wider female family members and to the lives of rural women everywhere. This is a celebration of women writers who challenge stereotypical views of women living in a rural landscape.
Title page from 'bottling it'
photo by Sue Thomas
ON NOW
DAGFAS 97th ANNUAL EXHIBITION
Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries
6th July - 10th August
I have four pieces of new work in the DAGFAS Annual Show at Gracefield Art Centre, Dumfries. There are 200 exhibits to marvel at and and I recommend a visit. It's a wonderful opportunity to see just what artists in Galloway have to offer.
The DAGFAS Annual Exhibition is currently running at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries. The exhibition runs at Gracefield until 10th August, open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm (closed Sundays and Mondays).
THE SOCIETY OF SCOTTISH ARTISTS
'THREADS'
An Exhibition at Old Gala House, Galashiels
20th July - 30th September 2024
I have a collagraph piece entitled 'warp and weft' in this beautiful exhibition entitled Threads at Old Gala House in Galashiels.
The Scottish Society of Arts is delighted to be collaborating with Live Borders for the first time to present an exhibition of work by SSA Members with the compelling theme of ‘Threads’. The exhibition explores the diverse and intricate connections that weave through the fabric of human experience, fostering a dialogue between artists and viewers alike.
The theme “Threads” serves as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of ideas, cultures, and emotions that form the rich tapestry of our lives. A significant source of inspiration for this exhibition is ‘The Great Tapestry of Scotland’, which is housed in its own building in Galashiels…a monumental work of art that vividly depicts the country’s history and heritage.
COMING UP . . .
SUMMER EXHIBITION
28 July - 10 August 2024
HARBOUR COTTAGE GALLERY
Kirkcudbright, Dumfries and Galloway
As an invited artist, I will be taking part in the Summer Exhibition at the Harbour Cottage Gallery in Kirkcudbright. This mixed Summer show is a lovely selection of chosen artists from the area and the Harbour Cottage is delightfully set beside the town's working harbour. The gallery opens daily at 10.30 am and closes at 4 pm. There is no entry charge.
KIRKCUDBRIGHT ARTS and CRAFTS TRAIL
2 - 5 August 2024
This regular and very popular event in Kirkcudbright showcases all forms of the arts over the August Bank Holiday weekend in the town. It's a great day out.
There will be 139 venues open in the town on each of the 4 days. These include shops, tea rooms and galleries but what's different is that, just like in the Spring Fling, artists open up their houses, gardens and studios to visitors. There are also the usual hotspots like the Soaperie gardens by the church, Wasps studios and the Catholic church hall.
This years Trail is promoting and supporting the RNLI, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. Many organisations are contributing to the Kirkcudbright Lifeboat fund towards building their new lifeboat station.
I will be exhibiting, as always, in the Catholic Church Hall - Venue 29. The Hall is a great venue with 9 different artists and crafters under one roof. There is also a café with home baking and light lunches.
There is a fold out guide available - a map with the locations marked . You can see more information on the Trail Facebook page.
AND A RECENT GEM . . .
BOTTLING IT
In January 2022 I was commissioned to make a film of prose and poetry work made by the Women Who Write group in Galloway. The resulting film 'bottling it' was screened at the CatStrand, New Galloway on 17th September 2023, along with a Q&A discussion between myself and the writers and a short writing workshop. Everyone agreed it was a very enjoyable event. To watch the film click here
still from 'bottling it'
photo by Sue Thomas
00:24:29
The film 'bottling it' incorporates the key strands of landscape, traditional female domestic activity – cooking/preserving/nourishing and feeding others; and the emerging sense of self, through relationships, place and time. Through poetry, prose and imagery it unstoppers, decants and spills out memory. It invites introspection and a sense that there is more to talk about, to explore and appreciate. It offers a feeling of reflection and connection to the wider female family members and to the lives of rural women everywhere. This is a celebration of women writers who challenge stereotypical views of women living in a rural landscape.
Title page from 'bottling it'
photo by Sue Thomas