10 May, 2022 · By The Biscuit Factory

Spring Fling: Celebrating 20 Years

10 May, 2022 · By The Biscuit Factory

We are delighted to welcome Spring Fling to The Biscuit Factory this Summer to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this Open Studios event.

Now managed by 'Upland', the Dumfries-based visual art and craft development organisation, Spring Fling 2022 takes place across Dumfries & Galloway over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend 2 - 5 June.

We'll showcase a diverse range of fine art and contemporary craft from a cohort of exceptional artists and craftspeople, all available to add to your own collections.

Ahead of the opening, we spoke to Project Manager, Chris Bridgman, to find out more about Spring Fling and Upland:

What is Spring Fling?

Spring Fling is Scotland's premier art and craft Open Studios event.

It was started by officers within Dumfries and Galloway council, working with regional artists and galleries, as one of the initiatives aiming to revive the area in the aftermath of the foot and mouth crisis in 2002. It soon became an autonomous event, and has had a huge impact in terms of attracting visitors - and, indeed, artists, to the region.

Many people return year on year to visit favourite studios, or widen their exploration of the makers and their practices.

Corgi Toys 238 by Sarah Stewart £230 | Screenprint | Ed 10/30

Pellet Jug Large by Fitch and McAndrew | Image by Shannon Toft

Tell us more about Upland!

Upland CIC is a bold, ambitious, rural-based visual art and craft development organisation based in Dumfries & Galloway, South West Scotland.

Having evolved from Spring Fling, Upland not only continues to present the open studios event, but also provides year-round support for artists and makers. Upland projects include Modern Makers, which gives young people the opportunity to develop craft skills; Emerge (Young Artist Bursary), one-off exhibitions and collaborative projects, along with professional development opportunities for young people and Upland Professional Members.

How does buying work from the Spring Fling exhibition help support artists?

The Biscuit Factory show is a wonderful opportunity for some of the finest artists and makers from the South West of Scotland to reach new audiences, generating more sales and raising their profiles.

We hope it will also help spread the word about the riches that can be found in Spring Fling, and encourage yet more people to come visit Dumfries and Galloway during the Open Studios weekend!