Artists and makers from across Dumfries and Galloway are inviting the public to see and buy original handmade art and craft at this year’s Upland made.
Established in 2021 (as the Winter Craft Fair) it has grown into a highly popular chance to meet members of the region’s creative community and get high-quality festive gifts of the kind not normally found on the High Street.
Taking place at Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries, this weekend (1-2 November), this year’s Upland made will see around 40 artists and makers showing everything from ceramics, textiles and jewellery to prints, painting and finely crafted furniture.
Among them is illustrator and designer Louisa Birdsall from Rockliffe who said: “It’s a lovely event to be involved in at the run up to Christmas – it has such a great vibe. It’s also a chance for me to meet the public, show them my work, and to mix with other artists too. There’s a real sense of community.”
Visitors can join textile artist Louisa Ruthven (details below) for meditative and reflective stitching inspired by the beauty of Kantha embroidery and the traditional art of darning.
Louisa said: “Christmas is such a frantic time. This workshop is a chance to sit down, enjoy some calm and do something creative. The memory pockets people make would be a lovely Christmas gift, or just something people can keep for themselves.”
Others who will be at the event include:
- Lorna Phillips (ceramics)
- Rebecca Woods (ceramics)
- Martin Clarkson (painting)
- Colin Blanchard (printmaking)
- and Gyllian Thomson (tapestry).
Natasha Kinsella, Events and Exhibitions Development Manager for Upland CIC, said: “Upland made has become a real highlight of the year, a place where people can meet our talented makers, discover unique work and celebrate the creativity thriving in Dumfries and Galloway.
“This 10th anniversary makes it even more special, as we look back at how far Upland has come and forward to what’s next.”
Alongside the makers’ stalls visitors can enjoy creative drop-ins,
and workshops in a friendly environment.
This year is special because it is the 10th anniversary of Upland, the region’s visual art and craft development organisation which runs a year-round creative programme featuring exhibitions, residencies and events like Spring Fling, Scotland’s top open studios weekend.
To celebrate there will be Upland Connect, a relaxed, drop-in space next door to the Upland made art and craft fair. Visitors can:
- Have a go at our Youth and Engagement workshops or a special maker-led session.
- Watch films from Upland projects including Modern Makers 2025 which follows our makers as they create beautifully rug-tufted stools.
- Join Louisa Ruthven for meditative and reflective stitching. No experience needed, materials provided. Saturday 1-3pm, Sunday 11-1pm. Spaces are limited, to sign up contact murray@weareupland.com.
Upland made and Upland Connect are at Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries on Saturday, 1 November 12–5pm and Sunday, 2 November 10am–4pm.
- See www.weareupland.com.
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Notes for editors
About Upland
Upland CIC (Community Interest Company) supports artists and makers based in, and with connections to, the region. It delivers, events, training, networking, support and opportunities as part of a year-round programme to benefit the region, its artists, communities and economy. Upland CIC runs the annual Spring Fling contemporary visual art and craft open studios weekend in Dumfries and Galloway. It works closely with other arts bodies in the region to further-strengthen the sector. Upland is based at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries and exists to:
- provide leadership in the visual art and craft sector regionally, collaborating with the cultural sector across Dumfries and Galloway and beyond.
- raise the profile of the visual art and craft sector of our rural area in a national and international context and build meaningful partnerships to support this.
- listen to local visual artists and makers and respond by providing relevant support and act as a collective voice to advocate on their behalf.
- support the engagement of a wide diversity of audiences in visual art and craft and initiate opportunities that promote inclusive, meaningful participation.
- produce and facilitate ambitious creative projects that are innovative and experimental in approach.
Its funders are Creative Scotland, D&G Council, The Holywood Trust, ASWT, Barfill.
For media information contact Matthew Shelley on 07786 704299 or at Mjhshelley@hotmail.co.uk or call Upland on 01387 213 218.