D&G|OUT: Design from Dumfries & Galloway

Time to say goodbye to the January blues! As February arrives so does the Spring Fling exhibition at The Lighthouse. Opening on Friday 31 January and running until 22 February, D&G|OUT will showcase some of Dumfries and Galloway’s finest ceramics, jewellery, textile and print artists. Among the 18 designer/makers exhibiting are glass artist Amanda Simmons who creates delicate vessels in vibrant colours and potter Andy Priestman who hand mixes clay and glazes that incorporate local earth, stone and wood ash into his pieces – reating distinctive textured surfaces.

The Spring Fling is now in its 12th year, and to maintain its renowned high standard in craft, all participants are specially selected. All are either based in the Dumfries and Galloway area or have their roots there. The exhibition aims to highlight how designers and makers produce their work and how they connect with the outside world.

As well as the exhibition, a number of talks and workshops are scheduled for early February: Amanda Simmons will discuss her residency in the Highlands and her involvement in SOFA Art and Design fair in Chicago, printmaker Colin Blanchard will talk about his commitment to making handmade prints and jeweller Alison Macleod will lead a drop-in workshop. The exhibition is free throughout, though bookings are required for the additional events.

In 2013, the Spring Fling featured over 90 artists, pulling in around 35,850 studio visits. 2014 will see Spring Fling curating a number of events throughout the year and will culminate in an open studio festival event from 24-16 May in Dumfries and Galloway. 

This is the first stop on D&G|OUT national showcase tour, so be sure to catch in now!