THE JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014 13NEWS

A new spring exhibition in newcastle has got off to a great start, showing off a

range of artwork under the theme ‘home’.

Dumfries and Galloway’s Spring Fling arts organisation has brought the D&G|OUT exhibition to the city for the first time, and it is being host-ed in the Biscuit Factory.

It displays artwork from 15 exhibi-tors from south west Scotland and aims to make the most of the easter break with topical pieces.

One of the artists, Heather Davies, is a regular in the north east, and one of her paintings was the first to be bought.

Her exhibits include called Staithes, which was inspired by the fishing village where she used to live.

“I have close connection with the north east and come to the area a lot, so I was really pleased to have the chance to take part in this exhibition. The standard of the work here is excellent and it’s great to be part of it,” she said.

Spring Fling is best known for organising Scotland’s premier visual art and craft open studios event, which this year takes place from May 24-26.

A total of 95 studios across the region will take part and visitors will have the chance to see work by 22 artists who have never taken part before.

Helen Acklam, whose work is inspired by Orkney and by norse mythology, said: “It’s a superb chance for new audiences to get an idea of the incredible creativity there is in Dumfries and Galloway, and for the artists themselves to be show-cased in a new area.”

Other exhibitors include Daniel Lacey, a furniture maker whose mag-nificent £7,200 hand-made chair, called Throne, is among the most remarkable pieces on show.

Three pieces by willow sculptor Lizzie Farey are also on display. Much of the material she uses is grown in her own garden and willow field.

erica Bone, a 16-year-old A Level student at emmanuel College, Gates-head, went along to the exhibition, modelling with Lizzie’s ‘Ash Bowl’.

Leah Black, Spring Fling Director, said: “The exhibition has got off to

the best possible start with lots of appreciation from visitors and the first sales coming almost immediate-ly.

“The theme is ‘home’ and every-thing being exhibited has been cho-sen because it would look fantastic as part of people’s homes.

“with easter coming up we hope that even more people will take the chance to come to the Biscuit Facto-ry and get an idea of what Dumfries and Galloway has to offer.”

No place like home as art exhibition launched

Alex FinnisReporteralex.finnis@ncjmedia.co.uk

The Spring Fling Art Exhibition at The Biscuit Factory art gallery. Leah Black with “Ash Bowl” by Lizzie Farey > Colin Hattersley