CatStrand

As we don our winter woollies and brace for the chill of winter, what could be more appropriate than for us to be hosting a new exhibition by the Stewartry Spinners and Weavers.  Formed in 1988, they have been meeting monthly to learn their craft and produce these amazing works.  This is the first time they have exhibited their individual weavings as a group. At present the group consists of Agatha Ann Graves, Roselle Stead, Alex Nixon, Buffy Carson, Beverley Vaux, Wendy Davies, Ann Rusby, Mary Paulin, Mary Wishart, Helen Keating, Penny Bryson, Pat McKenzie and Carol Cathcart. 

We are thrilled to be exhibiting the work of local artist Patti Lean at the CatStrand throughout November.  Patti  lives and works near Dunscore, Dumfries. She studied History of Art at Edinburgh University, then completed a BA (Hons) and a Master of Contemporary Fine Art at the University of Cumbria. She is influenced by contemporary abstract art, and makes frequent visits to Seawhite Studios in West Sussex to study with the abstract painter John Skinner.  Patti describes her work as "a response to the idea of the ‘continuous act of seeing’ that comes with hiking and walking in the environment; not only seeing, but also experiencing the sensation of rain, wind, snow etc., and hearing the sounds of the outdoors." 

The CatStrand is delighted to be hosting a new exhibition by Ayrshire artist Maggie Savage. This collection is drawn from her visits to Granada, Venice, Glasgow and Barcelona and will brighten the darkest of autumnal days. Paintings are all available for purchase. 

This September we are very excited to be hosting an exhibition by the renowned wildlife artist Donald Watson (1918 - 2005).  This collection is largely drawn from private collections so come down to the CatStrand and take this opportunity to see some of his incredible work up close. 

Watson was born at Cranleigh in Surrey on 28 June 1918 of a Scots father and an English mother.  He first began to draw birds before he was five years old and copied illustrations by Archibald Thorburn, the great wildlife artist of late Victorian and Edwardian times.  He was introduced to Galloway by Sir Arthur Duncan who recognised the value of the natural landscape, the variety of birds and the quality of the light for developing.  Watson's notebooks testify to his deep knowledge and passion for his subject: birds in their natural landscape surroundings.

Settling in St John’s Town of Dalry where he lived for over 50 years, he painted many of his most celebrated bird works there. We are very grateful to the Watson Birds Project for bringing them to the CatStrand for this exhibition. 

Throughout August the CatStrand will be hosting some of the extraordinary work of Amy Winstanley.  A graduate of Edinburgh College of Art and now based in Dumfries & Galloway, Amy has been exhibiting both solo and group shows all over Scotland and further afield. 

We are delighted to be hosting a FREE exhibition of weaving samples at the CatStrand throughout July.  The individual pieces were made by participants of Katie Russell's weaving workshops back in June.

The Suitcase of the Dying Village by Tom Pow

11 – 30 June

  This exhibition is a multi-media response by poet, Tom Pow, to one of the great defining moments in human history, encapsulated in the recent statistic that more people now live in cities than in rural areas. Through a series of travel essays, stories, photographs and poems, his book, In Another World, explores what this means for some of the most rapidly depopulating areas of Europe. But, as he documented these areas in words and in photographs, so the project developed a strong, collaborative, visual element. The Suitcase of the Dying Village thus includes, in addition to his own words and images, collaborative artworks with sculptor Elizabeth Waugh, ceramicist Archie McCall, artist Denise Zygadlo, craft artist Lizzie Farey, embroiderery by the Busy Bees of Ae and sound work by Ben Bryden and Steve Burns. The exhibition, like the book, is an invitation to remember and reflect on one of the most significant developments affecting Europe today.

These willow installations are part of the exhibition we currently have at The CatStrand. They are by artist Geoff Forrest who works with willow in all its forms to create baskets, structures and sculptures. His baskets are strong and functional while his sculpture pieces have a vitality which brings movement and expression to the weave. Geoff will be demonstrating his craft and giving people the opportunity to have a go at this years Spring Fling. These installations will be in the CatStrand till June 8.