Spring Fling

13/10/2026

⏰ Last few days to apply to be part of Spring Fling 2027! ⏰

Applications close on 19 October.

Check out the brief and start filling out your application today: https://www.spring-fling.co.uk/apply

08/10/2026

We are delighted to announce that Sarah McCusker has been awarded the Spring Fling Illustration Commission to design the brochure for Spring Fling 2027, our 25th anniversary year. Sarah McCusker is a multimedia artist, whose work covers collage, sculpture and printmaking. She curates and manipulates materials found, forgotten and discarded and reimagines these to tell deeper narratives about our inner humanity and connection with our wider world.

She is aiming to celebrate the creativity of D&G by creating artwork for the brochure that encapsulates the many varied artforms the region has to offer, focusing on all the offcuts, scrap, unused materials that go into making for Spring Fling artists.

To support her work, Sarah needs her fellow artists’ help to create this piece, by donating materials that are a result of and reflection of your artistic practices that detail the behind-the-scenes work of your making. If you would like to contribute, you can find out more about what Sarah is looking for and how to share materials here: https://www.spring-fling.co.uk/news/spring-fling-illustration-commission

29/09/2026

Thinking of applying to be part of Spring Fling 2027?

Applications are open now and we're hosting an online support session for artists and makers who'd like to get some guidance on the application process, which takes place on Monday 5 October at 5.30pm.

Visit our 'Apply' page and look for 'Where can I get help?' in the FAQs for details of how to join: https://www.spring-fling.co.uk/apply

Photos: Colin Tennant, Spring Fling 2026

26/09/2026

Every year, Spring Fling is proud to work with local venues and businesses who support the programme. Whether hosting artists and makers, or providing places to stop for refreshments or a stroll in the May sunshine, our partners help to make Spring Fling unique and celebrate all that Dumfries & Galloway has to offer.

You could...
- Be a venue to host artists
- Sponsor a place for an artist
- Sponsor an activity
- Hold an event

But what are the benefits?

Bring new visitors, audiences and customers to your business or organisation and benefit from the national and international reach of Spring Fling.

Become part of a network of community organisations, businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals who are working for the benefit of the region.

Bring cultural credibility to your organisation by supporting the local community of professional artists and makers across Dumfries and Galloway.

Become a Spring Fling partner today: https://www.spring-fling.co.uk/partners

11/09/2026

⏰ Final call for our Spring Fling 2027 - 25th Anniversary Illustration Commission! ⏰

We’re looking for an Upland member to create the Spring Fling 2027 artwork, commissioned by Upland for the 25th anniversary.

Deadline Monday 14 September
Apply now: https://www.weareupland.com/opportunities/spring-fling-2027-25th-anniversary-illustration-commission

24/08/2026

UPLAND SPRING FLING 2027 25TH ANNIVERSARY COMMISSION

Spring Fling celebrates 25 years in 2027, and we’re inviting an Upland member to create the artwork for this special anniversary edition.

The commissioned artwork will become the visual centre of Spring Fling 2027 appearing on the brochure cover and across print, digital and promotional materials.

Fee: £1,000
Deadline: Monday 14 September 2026

Read more: https://www.weareupland.com/opportunities/spring-fling-2027-25th-anniversary-illustration-commission

04/08/2026

Did you make it along to see FLOCK at Barwhillanty Estate during this year's Spring Fling?

We wanted to share some of the beautiful photos of the installation, to celebrate this fantastic project.

Huge thanks go to artists Frances Ross, Ruth Elizabeth Jones and Clare Dawdry, along with all the young people and schools who took part, plus Creative Stranraer and Creative Toolbox. Funded by Creative Scotland and The Holywood Trust.

Photos: Colin Tennant

06/07/2026

We're looking for a freelancer or agency who can rebuild the Spring Fling website ahead of next year's event.

Details in the post below 👇

Could you help give Spring Fling a refresh?

We are looking for a freelance individual or agency to support our team to rebuild the event website for Spring Fling, with the work to be completed between August 2026 and May 2027.

Visit our website for the full project brief: https://www.weareupland.com/opportunities/spring-fling-website-support

📆 Deadline: 11.59pm Friday 17 July

Photo: Colin Tennant

10/06/2026

As we continue to gather feedback from Spring Fling 2026, we’ve been overwhelmed by just how far people travelled to experience the event this year.

Artists across Dumfries & Galloway welcomed visitors from across Scotland, the UK and around the world including Australia, Canada, Italy, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, Singapore, New Zealand, the USA and beyond.

Visitors described Spring Fling as inspiring, welcoming and unlike any other event they had ever experienced highlighting the warmth of the welcome they received from artists and communities, the opportunity to meet artists in their own studios, and the joy of discovering Dumfries & Galloway through creativity, conversation and shared experiences.

“Meeting incredible, inspirational people in amazing locations and embracing wonderful communities.”

“It felt like much more than an art event - it was an experience of the whole region.”

“We came for one day and ended up staying for the whole weekend.”

Many visitors planned entire weekends and holidays around Spring Fling, travelling across the region to experience the richness and diversity of work being created here.

From first-time visitors to long-standing supporters, the feedback reflects the unique role Spring Fling continues to play in connecting creativity, place, community and cultural tourism across Dumfries & Galloway.

A huge thank you to every artist, venue, supporter and visitor who helped make Spring Fling 2026 such a special event.

We are still gathering feedback and would love to hear about your Spring Fling experience. Share your feedback here:
https://form.jotform.com/260402267339960

Images: Colin Tennant

08/06/2026

A few moments from Spring Fling 2026 we will be sharing more over the next few weeks✨

And thank you to everyone who’s already sent feedback, kind emails, photos and lovely comments our way we’ve loved hearing about your visits, favourite artists and discoveries along the route.

We’ll be gathering together visitor comments this week as we head into reporting season, so if you haven’t filled in the survey yet, we’d still really love to hear from you.

You could win:
🎨 £100 voucher + 2 Arts D&G 2027 tickets
🎨 £75 voucher
🎨 £50 voucher

Survey link:
https://form.jotform.com/260402267339960

Tag a friend you visited with 👀

📷 Photography: Colin Tennant