Upland made participants announced

Upland made – enjoy 40 stands packed with handmade art and craft

• Discover dozens of the region’s best artists and makers
• Find extra-special Christmas gifts while shopping local

Upland’s fourth annual visual art and craft fair will feature 40 stands - giving shoppers the chance to buy beautiful handmade gifts direct from superb exhibitors.

Upland made once again takes place at Easterbrook Hall, The Crichton, Dumfries and is on the weekend of 2 and 3 November.

The event is now firmly established as a great opportunity to find hand-made and individually created pieces from some of the finest artists and makers in Dumfries and Galloway.

This year visitors will be able to choose from:

• Painting and original prints
• Pottery
• Jewellery
• Works in wood - from spoons to mobiles
• Textiles - including wearables and decorative pieces
• and hand-crafted chef knives.

There will also be greetings cards, festive decorations and much more, with prices to suit every pocket.

Once again Langholm-based OutPost Arts will present workshops where the public can get creative. These are led by experienced artists and makers, and will focus on the wellbeing benefits of creative activity. This activity is supported by the DG Creative Wellbeing project.

Chris Bridgman, Upland Events & Exhibitions Co-ordinator, said: “What makes Upland made so special is the chance to buy bespoke and handmade work that isn’t available in most shops.

“It’s grown into a popular event for people who love art and craft, as well as Christmas shoppers and anyone in search of something special.

“It’s a celebration of the handmade and of our region’s creative community, giving everyone who comes along the chance to see a diversity of work by Upland members.

“We’d love you to come along to Upland made at the start of November, and enjoy a great day out that supports local independent creative businesses.

“It’s also a chance to shop local and pick up some wonderful festive gifts.”

All the exhibitors are members of Upland and many are regular participants in the region’s Spring Fling open studios weekend. 

Among them are painters and printmakers such as Ailsa Black and Colin Blanchard, potters including Clare Dawdry and Fitch & McAndrew, textile artists like Morag Macpherson, and Jay Rubinstein with his spectacular wooden mobiles.

Five makers are new to Upland made this year, including ceramicist Frances Ross, jewellery-maker Gabrielle Reynolds, and Sue MacNiven, who creates textiles, but also hand-painted tiles, buttons and greetings cards.

This year Upland made is funded by Creative Scotland and delivered in collaboration with Easterbrook Hall and OutPost Arts.

Easterbrook Hall will be running a pop-up café with warming food, tea, coffee and cakes.

Save the date

• What: Upland made
• Where: Main Hall, Easterbrook Hall, The Crichton, Bankend Road, Dumfries, DG1 4TA
• When: Saturday 2 November 12pm-5pm, Sunday 3 November 10am to 4pm
• Tickets: £1 and free for under 12s.

Full list of participants

• Heather Armstrong (ceramics)
• Clare Dawdry (ceramics)
• Fitch & McAndrew (ceramics)
• Frances Ross (ceramics)
• Liz Steele (ceramics)
• Rebecca Woods (ceramics)
• Jackie Zehnder (ceramics)
• Andrew & Gwen Adair (ceramics, painting, prints)
• Helen Walsh (drawing, prints, sculpture)
• Sue Hughes (felt artworks)
• Linda Irving (felt artworks)
• Kay Ribbens (hats)
• Elaine Fenwick (jewellery)
• Gabrielle Reynolds (jewellery)
• Kaz Robertson (jewellery)
• Lisa Rothwell-Young (jewellery)
• Natalie Vardey (jewellery)
• Bella Green (jewellery)
• Chris Renshaw (knives)
• Martha Schofield (mixed media)
• Susie Niven (painting)
• Sarah Plant (painting)
• Tricia Barna & Andy Philpott
• Suzanne Stuart Davies & Julian Francis (painting, textiles, ceramics)
• Ailsa Black (paintings)
• Roger Lever (photography)
• Louisa Birdsall (prints, illustration)
• Colin Blanchard (printmaking)
• Pamela Grace (printmaking)
• Hugh Bryden (printmaking)
• Julie Stephen (prints, illustration)
• Mia Heath (stationary, books)
• Gyllian Thomson (tapestry)
• Gail Kelly (textiles)
• Jo Gallant (textiles)
• Sue MacNiven (textiles)
• Lucy Hadley (homeware)
• Rachel Ashcroft (wood)
• Jay Rubinstein (wood)
• Mike Dixon (wood, photography, soaps)