Spring Fling

Spring Fling Scotland's premier art and craft open studios event. Across Dumfries & Galloway each May.

Spring Fling is now on!Studios across Dumfries & Galloway are open for Scotland's premier Open Studios event, which will...
23/05/2026

Spring Fling is now on!

Studios across Dumfries & Galloway are open for Scotland's premier Open Studios event, which will run until Monday 25 May.

Visit, meet artists and experience creative work in the places it is made.

Plan your visit through the link in our bio: https://www.spring-fling.co.uk/

Add your journey to our travel map - it helps us understand where visitors are coming from and build a picture of Spring Fling as it grows
https://form.jotform.com/260984046424056

✨ Six colourful routes. Hundreds of artists. One unforgettable region. ✨This year, we asked Spring Fling artists to shar...
22/05/2026

✨ Six colourful routes. Hundreds of artists. One unforgettable region. ✨

This year, we asked Spring Fling artists to share the feeling of their route — and what they gave us was something truly special.

Favourite walks.
Hidden beaches.
Ancient places.
Forest trails.
Gardens.
Big skies.
Stories.

Spring Fling is more than open studios.

It’s a chance to experience Dumfries & Galloway through the eyes of the artists who live and work here.

“I am looking forward to… creating displays which show how new work comes about… and how working alongside other artists can lead to new ideas.” Suzanne Stuart Davies

Whether you come for the art, the landscapes, the conversations or the adventure, you’ll find a warm welcome waiting across all six routes.

🗺️ Plan your journey.
🎨 Meet the artists.
🌿 Discover Dumfries & Galloway.

📸 Image credits: participating Spring Fling artists including Louisa Birdsall (boats at Rockcliffe), Jo Gallant (view from studio), Lisa Hooper (Glenwhan garden), Kate Anderson (Telford Bridge).

🟢GREEN ROUTE✨ Striking landscapes. Historic castles. River walks.The Green Route is here for you to explore 💚This year, ...
22/05/2026

🟢GREEN ROUTE

✨ Striking landscapes. Historic castles. River walks.

The Green Route is here for you to explore 💚

This year, we asked our artists to share the feeling of their route: the walks, hidden places and landscapes that inspire them every day.

“The Green Route is located right in the middle of some of the most beautiful parts of Dumfries and Galloway, with such a variety of things to do and artists to see.” Trinity Coombs

Wander through the ruins of Morton Castle, marvel at Drumlanrig Castle gardens, or explore the new walking path that connects Thornhill and Penpont, before visiting the artists whose work is rooted in these landscapes.

📸 Image credits: Trinity Coombs (Loch Ettrick, 3 cairns walk near Morton Castle, Durisdeer walk, River Nith, Drumlanrig Castle woods)

💚 Plan your Green Route adventure.

An update on planned roadworks due to take place this weekend... 👇The proposed B733 works at Kirkcowan have now been res...
22/05/2026

An update on planned roadworks due to take place this weekend... 👇

The proposed B733 works at Kirkcowan have now been rescheduled to avoid disruption to Spring Fling. There is also currently no closure planned on the A716 at Ardwell, with works operating under temporary traffic management only. As always, please do leave a little extra travel time for tractors, sheep crossing and to enjoy the countryside along the way!

🔴 RED ROUTE✨ Ancient landscapes. Open studios. A feeling of mystery.Discover the Red Route ❤️This year, our artists shar...
21/05/2026

🔴 RED ROUTE

✨ Ancient landscapes. Open studios. A feeling of mystery.

Discover the Red Route ❤️

This year, our artists shared the places that inspire them most and the Red Route takes you deep into the landscape of Eskdalemuir.

“Eskdalemuir has a unique abundance of ancient sites. Visiting them alongside the valley’s open studios can give a real feel of how rooted in the land the artwork is.” Shen Chokyi

Wide skies, quiet roads, hidden histories and deeply personal creative spaces make this one of Spring Fling’s most atmospheric journeys.

There’s even an accompanying film to explore before your visit:
🎥 The Eskdalemuir Art and Mystery Trail
📸 Image credit: Shen Chokyi
❤️ Experience the Red Route.

Don't miss our wonderful Emerge 2026 recipients photographer Trinity Coombs and jeweller Sonah Chaudhry at this year's S...
21/05/2026

Don't miss our wonderful Emerge 2026 recipients photographer Trinity Coombs and jeweller Sonah Chaudhry at this year's Spring Fling over the weekend. You can find their studios in Thornhill and Moffat.

Emerge is a programme of mentoring and a bursary for emerging artists or makers who have a strong connection to Dumfries and Galloway. Emerge recipients are mentored by professional experienced artists and makers over a six to nine month period, awarded a bursary of £1000 to create new work and take part in Spring Fling Open Studios. The programme also offers funding towards Go & See Trips, enabling the mentor and mentee to attend relevant events such as exhibitions, conferences, workshops or classes.

Check out their virtual studios:
Sonah Chaudhry https://www.spring-fling.co.uk/studio/sonah-chaudhry/
Trinity Coombs https://www.spring-fling.co.uk/studio/trinity-coombs/

Be sure to swoop into FLOCK at Spring Fling, from 23 to 25 May! FLOCK is a Dumfries and Galloway–wide ceramics project e...
20/05/2026

Be sure to swoop into FLOCK at Spring Fling, from 23 to 25 May!

FLOCK is a Dumfries and Galloway–wide ceramics project engaging young people from 57 schools and settings across the region. Led by ceramic artist Frances Ross, and supported by artists Clare Dawdry and Ruth Elizabeth Jones. Funded by the The Holywood Trust and Creative Scotland, the project gives children and young people the chance to experience the grounding properties of clay while supporting classroom learning and a sense of place in their home of Dumfries & Galloway.

Lead artist, Frances Ross, will also be on site in her own pop up studio.

Barwhillanty Estate (Parton DG7 3NS)
23-25 May 2026, 10.00am to 5.30pm each day
FREE - Disabled access & Parking - No dogs (except assistance dogs)

Images: Ruth Elizabeth Jones

CROWD is part of this year’s Spring Fling programme - it's work that invites interaction and participation.Photographer ...
20/05/2026

CROWD is part of this year’s Spring Fling programme - it's work that invites interaction and participation.

Photographer Kim Ayres will be creating a scene full of people, but taking photos of each person individually. Participants will be asked to pose as though interacting with others in the room, even though they're on their own. But when the photos are edited together later, it will look like a crowded room full of activity.

All who take part will get a free digital copy of the final image.

Taking place at The Crichton
Kim Ayres, Studio 83

https://www.spring-fling.co.uk/studio/kim-ayres/

Have you planned your Spring Fling visit yet?This year's event is almost here - join us from 23 to 25 May at artist stud...
19/05/2026

Have you planned your Spring Fling visit yet?

This year's event is almost here - join us from 23 to 25 May at artist studios across Dumfries & Galloway. Use our Virtual Studios and map to explore artists and locations across the region that you'd like to visit.

Some people plan a full weekend, others take a slower approach. There is no right way to do it.

Bus tours are available if you would prefer an easier way to travel between studios.

Start planning today: https://www.spring-fling.co.uk/

Address

Gracefield Arts Centre
Dumfries
DG11JQ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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