Spring Fling 2021

Call for Applications: Spring Fling 2021

Applications open for mixed digital and physical event that will showcase the creative talent of Dumfries and Galloway

Spring Fling 2021 will offer new and different ways to showcase some of the best contemporary visual arts and craft from Dumfries and Galloway.

Organisers, Upland CIC, are delighted to announce plans for this year’s event which will be a vibrant mix of digital and some physical activities in place of the usual open studios weekend.

This will hopefully include a pop-up shop and walks with artists plus online exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, live talks and studio tours.

Upland also hopes that this year’s Spring Fling can be extended beyond the traditional three-day late spring bank holiday weekend. It will begin on 29 May but could run right through to 6 June – watch the website for updates.

The around 80 artists and makers selected for the disrupted 2020 open studios weekend will be offered the chance to take part in the 2021 event. Applications open on Friday, 12 February for others who would like to take part.

Joanna Macaulay, Assistant Director for Upland which runs Spring Fling, said:

“The spirit of Spring Fling is alive and well, and even though we can’t hold our traditional open studios weekend we hope to provide all sorts of fun and creative ways to let people engage with the region and its arts.

“We know that people are as eager as ever to see painting, printmaking, jewellery, ceramics, textiles and other arts and crafts – and to engage with the makers and artists, and to learn new skills for themselves.

“Our idea is to offer a whole variety of digital and safe physical events for people to choose between. So although the format will be different, Spring Fling will continue to be a joyous celebration of the rich variety of artistic talent that exists across Dumfries and Galloway.”

Spring Fling is pleased to once again have the support from Dumfries and Galloway Council as one of the region’s Signature Events.

Creative Scotland has also provided funding towards digital accessibility and to commission small-scale performance or installation.

Thanks to support from EventScotland, through the Scotland’s Events Recovery, Upland will be able to build on its success in taking Spring Fling online in 2020.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said:

“Events play an important role in our communities as they sustain livelihoods and bring social and economic change. EventScotland is delighted to be supporting Spring Fling through Scotland’s Events Recovery Fund to build on the success of their online event in 2020.

“By embracing the hybrid format for this year’s event, Spring Fling continues to provide a way for its audience and artists to connect in a fun and safe way.”

Artists and makers selected for Spring Fling will be offered two ways to participate in order to make it as inclusive as possible.

This will mean they can choose to participate online only, or be part of the physical activities and events as well.

The full programme will be published in coming weeks.