Artists and makers are being invited to apply to be part next
year’s Spring Fling, while new figures show that 2013 was a record breaker.
New research shows
that there were a record 35,844 studio visits this year – with people having
the chance to see work by 93 artists and makers, which is the highest number in
the event’s 11-year history.
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| Leo Blamire - one of 93 artists taking part in Spring Fling 2013 |
Organisers are now
inviting applications for 2014, which they hope will be better still.
Leah Black, Spring
Fling Manager, said: “Each year Spring Fling has got bigger and better, with
more to do and see. It creates superb opportunities for the region’s artists
and makers, and for many other businesses as well.
“This year it earned
around £990,000 for the local economy, with nearly £200,000 spent in studios. This
would be good news at any time, but is all the more helpful during the current
economic difficulties.
“We have lots of
fresh ideas to make next year’s event even more colourful and fun and look
forward to welcoming new artists and makers to take part.
“None of this would
be possible without the support of all the artists, visitors, volunteers and
everyone else who does so much to make Spring Fling a success.”
Research shows that
54% of visitors came from outwith Dumfries and Galloway and of these 72% said
that Spring Fling was the main reason for the trip. These visitors spent an
average of 2.3 nights in the area, bringing valuable revenue for the
hospitality industry.
The 2013 event saw
the introduction of the Spring Fling Fringe, offering a range of things to do
and see in the evenings.
Next year parts of
the Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries will be made to look like a house
interior, so visitors can see just how good the art and craft on show would
look in their own homes.
Artists in need of
financial support can also apply for the new Step-Up scheme which will allow
them to take part in Spring Fling for a reduced fee. And the number of young
artists’ bursaries is being increased from two to three.
A crowdfunding
appeal is currently underway – with a deadline of 28 August – which hopes to
raise £3,000 to stage special Spring Fling taster exhibitions in Glasgow,
Newcastle and London.
If successful this
will bring Dumfries and Galloway’s creativity to the attention of a whole new
audience and could attract even more visitors to the region for the main event
which runs from 24 to 26 May.
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