Attention arts and crafts enthusiasts� Spring Fling , the hugely popular open studio event now in its fourth year, is taking place again in Dumfries & Galloway this May bank holiday. It�s the most successful event of its kind in Scotland, where 93 artists and craft-makers across Dumfries & Galloway will be throwing open the doors of their workshops and studios to welcome the public.

Over the weekend of 27 � 29 May visitors will receive a warm welcome in all the 64 studios taking part, where they can watch artists and craft-makers at work, ask questions and buy a special piece of work directly from the studio (prices start at �5). The brochure, which launches early February, includes a full listing of artists and craftmakers, six suggested studio trails and recommended caf�s, restaurants, hotels and pubs for lunch as well as other places of cultural interest so that visitors can enjoy a long weekend in the region. The studios are clustered together into trails that you can easily follow by car to make the most of your time while taking in the region�s breathtakingly beautiful scenery.

To order a copy of the brochure online www.spring-fling.co.uk or call 01387 262084. New for 2006 is the New Faces scheme, which involves artists and makers who originally hail from Dumfries & Galloway returning to the region to exhibit alongside a local artist in their studio. The return of this new talent is an exciting development for Spring Fling. The New Faces of 2006 are Steven Higginson, a painter based in Dundee, jeweller Alison Macleod who is living in Glasgow and is currently undertaking a residency in a school in Kilmarnock as part of the 'Elements of Change' programme, and Shimara Carlow, jeweller and silversmith, based in London. Alison and Shimara recently had an impact on London�s contemporary craft scene at Chelsea Craft Fair 2005, with Shimara also exhibiting at the Goldsmiths Fair. Some of the established artists and makers who have taken part in Spring Fling from the start and will be opening their studios this year include: � Lizzie Farey , internationally renowned, award winning willow weaver, whose work is admired in exhibitions and collections all over the world. � Trevor Leat , who made the huge willow Wickerman in 2005 for the Wickerman Festival in Kirkcudbright and last month created the giant bull that was burned on Carlton Hill as part of the Torchlight Procession in Edinburgh. � Fiona Thompson , who has exhibited her work widely in galleries throughout the UK (as well as in Taiwan, Germany and the USA). She is currently producing a new body of work evolving current research into screen printed ceramic images specifically for a solo exhibition at Glasgow Print Studio, 4 February - 8 March 2006. � Jo Gallant , who produces colourful cushions and fabrics from her studio in the Artists Town of Kirkcudbright. � Adam Booth , who will give visitors the chance to watch at close quarters as he completes a large-scale architectural commission on blacksmith�s forge. For more information about Spring Fling, log onto www.spring-fling.co.uk or call Gracefield Arts Centre on 01387 262084 to order a copy of the brochure.

For information on accommodation and visiting Dumfries & Galloway log on to www.visitscotland.com or call 0845 22 55 121. For more press information, interview opportunities, or to attend a press trip in Dumfries and Galloway please contact Jude Henderson � Senior PR Executive � Cities and Culture, VisitScotland 0131 472 2014 jude.henderson@visitscotland.com Notes to Editors 1. Spring Fling is organised by Dumfries and Galloway Council�s Cultural Services Arts Team and is part of the ERDF funded Art and Craft Sector Trade Development Project, which promotes artists� and craft-makers� business development in Dumfries and Galloway. The organisers are based at Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries. 2. Spring Fling is funded by Dumfries and Galloway Council; ERDF (European Regional Development Fund; Event Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway Standard and the event is promoted in partnership with VisitScotland 3. Spring Fling was previously funded through Leader+ and in 2005 it won a Leader+ Best Practice Award for excellence in rural development.