Seaweed, banana skins and a fire in a large metal dustbin – all play a role in the distinctive pottery created by retired paediatric doctor Heather Armstrong.
She is one of the 18 ceramicists taking part in this year’s Spring Fling open studios weekend which will involve 111 artists and makers across Dumfries and Galloway over the Bank Holiday weekend of 23 to 25 May.
Heather Armstrong, who used to work in the neonatal department at the NHS hospital in Dumfries, trained as a potter after retirement but never thought she would achieve the success she has found – selling her work in galleries and at major events.
She said: “I used to attend big events round the country, admiring the ceramics but thinking ‘I’ll never do that’.”
However, this will be the fifth time she has opened up her studio at her home at Torthorwald, outside Dumfries, for Spring Fling.
Heather’s work has attracted many admirers. It is hand-built (rather than thrown on a wheel), unglazed and smoke fired, giving it earthy colours.
She said: “Every piece is different, I build them by hand and they change as they grow. After they come out of the kiln they are fired in a big zinc dustbin, so they have a textured and smoky appearance.
“For the fire I use dried seaweed I’ve collected from the beaches and other organic materials from around the house, like old banana skins. Several local woodturners save me their wood shavings.
“I pile it in then set a match to it and wait.”
Spring Fling visitors can also see distinctive ceramics by Lorna Phillips, from Corsock, who says: “Archaeology and anthropology is often where my work begins. I work with found clays, making pots and sculptures, researching my surroundings and the artefacts that have been dug up there.”
Then there is Joshua Williams, in Newton Stewart, who makes contemporary work and says: “I am a traditionally trained potter and artist creating functional ware and sculptural forms. Using locally-gathered clays, wood ash and sand.”
Then there is Andy Priestman, from Bargrennan, who creates porcelain and stoneware pots and makes use of locally sourced wild clays.
Other participants include the internationally renowned Fitch & McAndrew, whose work is included in the V&A permanent collection, and regular Spring Fling visitors Miles-Moore Ceramics, who exhibit alongside furniture-maker Daniel Lacey at Buccleuch Mills in Langholm.
This year Spring Fling will have extra attractions including Flock, a sculptural display of 1,000 ceramic birds created by primary and secondary school students from across the region.
Natasha Kinsella, Events and Exhibitions Development Manager for Upland CIC which runs Spring Fling, said:“Ceramics are always one of the big attractions of Spring Fling, with incredibly varied styles.
“The makers themselves are just as varied. There are people whose work is collected by connoisseurs around the world, others who supply dining ware for the country’s finest restaurants. There are yet more who use materials collected from the local environment and draw inspiration from the beautiful Dumfries and Galloway countryside.
“And all this is just the start as Spring Fling features everything from painting, photography, sculpture, illustration, original prints and jewellery to textiles, wood and metalwork.”
Spring Fling 2026 ceramicists and potters
- Heather Armstrong, Linns Road, Torthorwald
- Clare Dawdry, Kirkpatrick Durham, Castle Douglas
- Johanna Domke-Guyot, Teynholm, Kirkcudbright,
- Drakelaw Pottery, Mochrum Park, Kirkcowan
- Fitch & McAndrew, Corsock, Castle Douglas
- Julian Francis, Gelston, Castle Douglas
- Lauren Gray, Solway House, The Crichton, Dumfries,
- Ruth Elizabeth Jones, Ayr Street, Moniaive
- Marianne Le Gallo, Creative Stranraer, King Street, Stranraer
- Carolyn Marr, Balmaclellan Village Hall, Castle Douglas
- Archie McCall, Kindar Mill, New Abbey
- Miles-Moore Ceramics, Buccleuch Mills, Glenesk Road, Langholm
- Lorna Phillips, Corsock, Castle Douglas
- Andy Priestman, Bargrennan, Newton Stewart
- Frances Ross, Barwhillanty Estate, Parton, Castle Douglas
- Christopher Taylor, Solway House, The Crichton, Dumfries
- Hannah Thomson, Portpatrick
- Joshua Williams, Newton Stewart.
See the Upland website at www.weareupland.com.
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Notes for editors
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About Spring Fling
- The weekend is a chance to explore a beautiful rural region, with participating studios from Langholm in the east to Portpatrick and the Mull of Galloway in the west.
- Spring Fling visitors have the option of following a series of six colour-coded routes which take them round studios in different parts of the region.
- Bus tours are available, giving people the chance to let someone else do the driving – and reducing carbon emissions.
- Standard opening times are 10am to 5.30pm, but many studios have special evening openings as well.
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.