The chance to explore 111 studios combined with sunny Bank Holiday weather combined to guarantee visitors a superb Spring Fling open studios weekend.
The record number of participants turned Dumfries and Galloway into a huge gallery of contemporary art and crafts featuring everything from painting, drawing, original printmaking and photography to woodwork, metalsmithing, ceramics, textiles, glass – and much more.
Natasha Kinsella, Events and Exhibitions Development Manager for Upland CIC which runs Spring Fling, said: “Spring Fling 2026 felt full of energy, conversation and discovery.
“Across the weekend there was a real sense of people engaging not just with individual studios, but with the wider creative ecology of Dumfries and Galloway, travelling through the region, discovering new artists and spending time in venues, cafés and communities along the way.
“There were so many moments of people stopping in passing places to take photographs, talk to each other and simply take in the landscape as part of the experience.
“It was especially encouraging to see younger audiences and new visitors connecting with the event alongside Spring Fling’s long-standing supporters and members, and to feel that sense of curiosity and openness across the weekend as a whole.”
Kat Hill, Upland Creative Director, added: “This was my first Spring Fling as Creative Director, and it was inspiring to witness such energy, passion and skill across Dumfries and Galloway.
“I met visitors from across the UK and much further afield who had come to experience all that Spring Fling has to offer.
“Chatting with makers, artists and visitors, it was clear what a special thing this weekend is, an experience that is both immensely enjoyable for all and a celebration of culture.
“Thanks to my predecessor Amy Marletta and the whole Upland Team who have made this possible.”
Among the popular spots to visit were metalsmith Adam Booth’s forge in Kirkpatrick Durham and the walled garden at Barwhillanty Estate (where Flock, a display of 1,000 ceramic birds made by the region’s school children was on show).
Visitors also enjoyed seeing a multitude of other studios including those of Sarah Ross-Thompson in Portpatrick and From Tree to Sea, Gail McGarva’s site-responsive art installation created from wooden boats in the gardens of Galloway House.
Ends
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
Vision
- Creating a sustainable, innovative and inclusive visual arts and crafts sector in Dumfries and Galloway.
Mission
- To provide leadership in the visual art and craft sector regionally, collaborating with the cultural sector across Dumfries and Galloway and beyond.
- To 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.
- To listen to local visual artists and makers and respond by providing relevant support and act as a collective voice to advocate on their behalf.
- To support the engagement of a wide diversity of audiences in visual art and craft and initiate opportunities that promote inclusive, meaningful participation.
- To produce and facilitate ambitious creative projects that are innovative and experimental in approach.
Aims
- To produce and deliver festivals, events, and experimental projects of the highest quality that are rooted in place and far reaching in scope.
- To nurture the development of artistic excellence so that it thrives and grows
- To inspire and engage a diverse range of people to celebrate, participate in and be supportive of visual art and craft practice.
- To raise the profile of visual artists and makers locally, nationally and internationally fulfilling a crucial role in the culture, economy and tourism of Dumfries and Galloway.
- To actively work to reduce our impact on the climate and environment and embed positive climate action in our work.
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.
Picture – Trinity Coombs, taken by Colin Tennant.