Museums and Art Galleries Stranraer • Wigtown • Kirkcudbright • Castle Douglas Welcometo the Dumfries and Galloway Museums (West) Programme. Your guide to the Council Museums events, exhibitions and workshops in Galloway.
Castle Douglas Art Gallery Castle of St John Stranraer Museum Wigtown Museum The Stewartry Museum Tolbooth Art Centre
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Jobs | Events | News | Cinema | Activities | Museums | Libraries | Elections | Sports | Planning | Schools | Roads Stranraer Museum The Old Town Hall, George Street, Stranraer, DG9 7JP. Tel: 01776 705088 [email protected]
Stranraer's historic Old Town Hall, built in 1776, is the home Open all year of Stranraer Museum. Step inside and discover Wigtownshire's Monday-Friday fascinating past. See one of 10am - 5pm Scotland's oldest ploughs, look at Victorian Wigtownshire in 3D Saturday photographs and investigate the 10am -1pm and collection through our museum 1.30pm - 4.30pm trails. Plus displays on archaeology, local history, costume, farming and dairying. An exciting and varied temporary exhibition programme runs throughout the year and there are activities for all the family. Groups and schools bookings are always welcome.
Disabled access throughout. Admission Free Cover image by Barry Russell
3 Temporary Exhibitions at Stranraer Museum Stranraer: 400 4 March - 22 April Celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Stranraer Town Charter this exhibition looks at all things Stranraer. Displaying photographs, maps, costume, weapons, toys, paintings and so much more this exhibition has something for everyone. The Offensive Romans 9 Sept - 4 Nov Sea Pyot Arts exhibition of works A series of digs over the past couple of years has resulted in new evidence to tell the story 29 April - 3 June of Burnswark and the Roman invasion of An exhibition of works by invited artists from Scotland. This exhibition, suitable for all ages, across the country. With a mixture of top presents the interpretation of the excavation quality works this is the exhibition to see findings. It challenges previous ideas about established and up-and-coming artists. All the site and offers new insights. works for sale. Schools workshops available.
Space: fact and fiction Open Art and Crafts 10 June - 2 Sept 11 Nov - 9 Dec “Space is only 80 Local artists and crafts people show off miles from every the fruits of their labours in this year’s very person on earth - far popular winter exhibition. All works for sale, closer than most just in time for Christmas. people are to their own national capitals” - Daniel Deudney,1982. It’s time to look up and out into the huge An exhibition by Stranraer and expanse that surrounds our earth - space. The Stewartry Camera Clubs This exhibition explores brave new worlds 16 Dec - Jan 2018 of science facts and takes a giant leap into science fiction. From the Galloway Dark Sky Our local camera clubs have been out and Park to galaxies far, far away there’s plenty about again to show us the world from a for all ages to enjoy. Hands-on activities different view. From sweeping views of foreign throughout, plus special schools workshops shores to detailed portraits of native flowers, and holiday activity days. this exhibition has a little of everything.
4 The Ross Gallery at Stranraer Museum A newly established art gallery displaying a programme of changing exhibitions from local artists and crafts people. Most works are for sale. Displays from April to October, will be closed during exhibition changeovers. Dave Currie
Open Galloway in Pencil Monday-Friday 10am - 5pm 8 - 29 July Saturday 10am - 1pm and 1.30pm - 4.30pm Heather Dickinson exhibits her pencil drawings Disabled access. | Admission Free. of buildings and wildlife from around the local area. Ross Gallery Exhibitions 2017 From the Wilds Tree 12 August - 2 September 10 June - 1 July A wonderful variety of work including machine By Dave Currie, of Galloway Photography embroidery, photography, woodwork and felt Leaf work from Alison Corfield, Alistair Hamilton, Jane 10 June - 1 July Taylor and Natural Woodcraft. Scottish Ruins Unique leaf jewellery designed and hand made by Beth Currie 9 - 30 September Michal Sur shows Scottish Ruins in Infrared photography
5 Events for Schools and Groups
The Stewartry and Stranraer Museums offer a range of workshops for schools based on our collections or on Why not visit our our resource boxes. museums in Galloway? Workshops can be The museums are all free arranged on most and on some days we can school topics, as well as offer tours or talks. Just community projects for contact the museums for Curriculum for Excellence. further details. These can be booked anytime through the relevant museums.
Loans boxes We also offer special The following resources and topic boxes workshops based on are available for schools and community some of our temporary groups to borrow free of charge: exhibitions. • Lighting • Victorian Toys and Games • The Second World War • Mystery Objects • Schooling in the Past • Transport • Ancient Scotland • Printing and Communication • Nineteenth century Stranraer • Historic Wigtown. These boxes can be booked for collection at The Stewartry or Stranraer Museums. Contact 01776 705088 for more details.
6 Activities and Events Easter Holiday There are always museum Craft Activities trails and mini-activities Join in at your local museum and learn a new skill. All activities are hands-on and available in our museums great for both children and adults. throughout the year, but The Stewartry Museum we also offer a great range Tuesday 4 April and Tuesday 11 April. of special events. From Drop in between 11am and 3pm puppet making to paper Stranraer Museum craft, Pirates to spaceships, this year’s programme of Friday 7 April for Zoolab 2 sessions available starting at children’s events is better 11.30am than ever and as always - Booking essential. it’s free! Thursday 13 April Drop in between 11am and 3pm. Some of the events are detailed here, but we will add to the programme Summer holiday Craft Activities and as we go along, so keep up with the news on Facebook or in the local Workshops press. To book a place, contact the Learn more about our collections, history or wildlife relevant museum. Children should through hands-on fun. There is always something be accompanied by an adult. All new every week. Some workshops may take place workshops are for ages 4+ unless outside in good weather. otherwise stated. For full workshop The Stewartry Museum details please contact the museums. Every Tuesday Email updates available, contact Between 4 July and 15 August. Stranraer Museum to join the Drop in between 11am and 3pm. Dumfries and Galloway Museums Stranraer Museum West email list. Every Thursday between 6 July and 17 August Drop in between 11am and 3pm. October Holiday Activities The Stewartry Museum Tuesday 17 and 24 October Drop in between 11am and 3pm. Stranraer Museum Thursday 19 and 26 October Drop in between 11am and 3pm.
7 Castle of St John Charlotte Street, Stranraer, DG9 7EJ Enquiries 01776 705088 Open The Castle of St John sits in a prominent position in the 14, 15 and 17 April centre of Stranraer. Built in 30 May - 30 September the sixteenth century this is Tuesday - Saturday a particularly fine example 10am - 4.30pm of the type of tower house built and used by Scottish Free Admission Lairds in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The Castle of St John was built around 1500 by the Adairs of Kilhilt, one of the most powerful families in Wigtownshire. In the late 1670s it was used as a military garrison for the government troops commanded by John Graham of Claverhouse. In the Victorian period it was used as a jail. The fascinating story of the Castle and its many inhabitants can be found in the exhibitions on site.
Costumed interpreters on special event days. 22 April, 20 May, 17 June, 15 July, 12 August and 30 September. See our facebook page or the local press for more detail.
8 Wigtown Museum Wigtown County Buildings Wigtown DG8 9JH. Enquiries 01776 705088. The County Buildings were constructed in 1862 as the administrative centre for the former county of Wigtownshire. The flamboyant French gothic style of architecture is both unexpected and wonderfully out of place in such a small Scottish market town. The County Buildings were renovated a few Open all year years ago and are now used for a variety of community-related activities. The building Monday - Sunday also houses the town library, a wildlife 9.00 - 5.00pm interpretation room and a small museum. The museum tells the story of the Burgh Admission free of Wigtown and various items of Wigtown memorabilia are on display. The most important group of objects is a collection of bronze weights and measures acquired by the Burgh in 1707; this is the most complete set of early 18th century town weights in Scotland. On the ground floor of the County Buildings are the remains of an 18th century prison cell known locally as 'The Martyrs Cell' because of its supposed association with the Wigtown Martyrs. The cell is open to visitors.
9 The Stewartry Museum Opening Hours St Mary Street, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4AQ. Winter 1 October - 15 April Tel: 01557 331643 [email protected] Monday - Saturday 11am - 4pm The Stewartry Museum was founded in 1879, Summer 16 April - 30 September and first occupied part of the Kirkcudbright Town Hall. As the collection grew, the present Monday - Saturday purpose-built museum was planned and 11am - 5pm opened in 1893. The Museum has an old- Sunday world charm and exhibits a wealth of objects 2pm - 5pm relating to the area known as The Stewartry, or Kirkcudbrightshire (the eastern half of Free Admission Galloway).
Research Facilities The Stewartry Museum holds an impressive local history library and archive collection relating to the Stewartry and an extensive photographic archive. All of these resources can be accessed when visiting the Museum. Prints of the photographic archive can be supplied for a fee.
10 Temporary Exhibitions at The Stewartry Museum
The Kirkcudbright Galleries Pirates and Smugglers Plans and Updates 24 June - 23 Sept 1 April - 17 June This hands-on exhibition Come and for all the family offers see the an exciting overview of the progress so world of smugglers and pirates. far in this The pirates and smugglers of ambitious history have become legend Kirkcudbright with tales of adventure on the high seas an Project. With important part of literature and blockbuster plans, artists movies. But were they all plying their trade in impressions, progress photos and a selection the warm seas of the Caribbean, or could you of Kirkcudbright artists works, this exhibition find some on our colder shores? Find out in will whet your appetite for the opening next this interactive exhibition. year. Great for all ages. Summer holiday and schools workshops available.
Kirkcudbright Harbour 30 Sept - Jan 2018 Bringing wealth to Kirkcudbright from the earliest times, Kirkcudbright’s safe haven harbour has been an important part of the history of the region. With plans, paintings and detailed documents from our own archives, the story of Kirkcudbright Harbour is brought to life in this fascinating exhibition.
11 The Kirkcudbright Tolbooth and Tolbooth Art Centre The Kirkcudbright Tolbooth High Street Kirkcudbright, DG6 4JL Opening Hours Tel: 01557 331556 Winter 1 October - 15 April The Kirkcudbright Tolbooth was opened in Monday – Saturday 1993 by H.M. The Queen. The building was 11am - 4pm originally erected in the period 1625-1629 (with later additions) as Kirkcudbright’s Summer 16 April – 30 September Tolbooth when it was used as a Town Council meeting place and office, Burgh and Sheriff Monday - Saturday Court, and the Criminal and Debtor’s prison. 10am - 4pm One of the most famous prisoners was Captain John Paul, later known as John Paul Sunday Jones, hero of the American Navy. 1pm - 4pm The Award winning Art Centre presents Admission Free visitors with the story of the Kirkcudbright ‘Art Colony’ through an audio-visual show “The Artists’ Town” and a permanent display of some of the best Kirkcudbright paintings in our collection. The top floor is maintained as a gallery for a huge range of contemporary art and craft exhibitions. Works are for sale in the exhibitions and in the shop on the ground floor, or you are welcome to just sit and enjoy the Tolbooth’s friendly coffee shop.
12 Tolbooth Exhibition Programme
Ancient Pop-Up Cinema Egyptians at the Tolbooth 14 January - Café opens at 6.30pm. 18 February Movie begins at 7.30pm Another chance to see this hands- Show Dates on exhibition for 1 March Suffragette Cert 12a all the family, offering an exciting overview of the world of the Ancient Egyptians. Great for all ages.
Zoolab 5 April Youth (La Giovinezza) Cert 15 Tuesday 14 February Join us at the Tolbooth for a Zoolab live animal encounter. Two sessions at 11.30am and 2pm. 3 May The Carer Cert 15 Booking essential Stranraer and The Stewartry Camera Clubs 25 February - 25 March This year’s labour of love from the Stranraer and The Stewartry Camera Clubs. Comparative Wildlife by Fiona Simon 29 Mar – 17 Apr In the studio Pastel and pencil originals of local wildlife and domesticated farm animals
13 Selected Works of Sleepy Silver 31 May - 18 June In the studio A selection of hand-decorated boxes, prints of Moffat Art Collective original oils and watercolours as well as the latest originals in watercolour. 12 - 30 April A group of 8 artists and craft workers put on a display of paintings in watercolour, acrylic, oil and pastels as well as stained glass and wood and metal work.
The Wonders of Wool by Ann Smith 19 Apr - 7 May In the studio An exhibition of wool felt paintings and wool felt crafts.
Retrospective Exhibition of Teresa Durá Branson’s Paintings Between the Fells and the Sea 3 - 21 May by Dave Gowers Teresa aimed to 14 June - 2 July convey her personal perspective of life and This exhibition offers an observation and of nature’s mysteries in reflection of his physical environment in oils her paintings of oil pastels and watercolour. mixed with varnish.
Paintings by Irene McMichael Flowers, Fruit and Football by Shona McQueen 9 - 28 May 21 Jun - 9 Jul In the studio A variety of paintings will be on display In the studio mainly in acrylic. Paintings in watercolour and Seasonal Landscapes pastel. by George Lawson 24 May - 11 June Scottish landscapes painted in watercolour, acrylics and oils.
14 Red Squirrel Crafts by Beth Currie 2 – 20 Aug In the studio Beth works from her home in the Galloway Forest Park, creating hand crocheted jewellery Trees by Michal Šúr inspired by the wild beauty around her.
5 - 23 Jul Stars, Streams, Stags and Stunning Trees and woodlands captured in Infrared Scenery: the Best of Galloway B & W photography and a long shutter speed 16 Aug – 3 Sept – creating images with a mysterious and dream-like appearance. Photographic exhibition of original works showcasing the very best of Bonnie Galloway The Animal World by Victor Hulme by Dave Currie of Galloway Photography. 12 – 30 July On the Water’s Edge In the studio by Delya M Randall A selection showing watercolours of animals and pets, as well as Dumfries and countryside 23 Aug – 10 Sept scenes. In the studio Local scenes in ink, watercolour and acrylics. To the Sea by Henrietta Veys-Crocker 26 July – 13 Aug Purely by Anne Donald A collection of watercolour paintings 7 – 29 Sept based on beaches, landscapes, boats and Landscapes and seascapes in pastel, which surrounding villages of Kirkcudbright. are created in layers to build texture, vibrancy and movement.
15 Photography by Jim McMichael Open Art and Craft 13 - 30 Sept 11 November - 12 December In the studio An exhibition of work by artists from A selection of photography of scenes Kirkcudbright and beyond. throughout Dumfries and Galloway Kirkcudbright Academy Art Exhibition 16 December - 6 January 2018 A display of works by the senior years and school leavers of Kirkcudbright Academy.
Timeframes by Tim Fuller 27 Sept - 14 Oct This collection aims to show juxtaposition – maybe a conflict – between past and present. Hopefully the viewer will find they evoke the future too.
Photography by Forbes Kinghorn The Offensive Romans 4 - 21 Oct 13 Jan - 17 Feb In the studio A selection of photography by a local young A series of digs over the past couple of years photographer. has resulted in new evidence to tell the story of Burnswark and the Roman invasion of All Things Wonderful Scotland. This exhibition, suitable for all ages, by Jake Wade and Patricia Graves presents the interpretation of the excavation 18 Oct - 4 Nov findings. It challenges previous ideas about the site and offers new insights. An exhibition of photography and art work in a variety of media. Schools workshops available.
16 Castle Douglas Art Gallery Market Street, Castle Douglas, DG7 1BE. Enquiries 01557 331643.
Schools workshops available. Castle Douglas Art Gallery first opened in 1938 having been gifted to the town by Mrs Ethel Bristowe, a talented artist in her own right. The gallery was upgraded in 1996 with lottery funding through the Scottish Arts Council, and now forms an excellent venue for contemporary art and craft exhibitions. The programme runs from March to Christmas showcasing both group and individual works from across the region.
Entry is free The gallery opening hours vary depending on the exhibitors, but they are usually Monday to Saturday 10.30am - 4.00pm. The gallery is closed during exhibition changeovers.
17 Castle Douglas Art Gallery Exhibition programme
Revival’s Drawing Board Celebrate the Seasons 29 March - 8 April Solway Art Group Works in a variety of media by a group 31 May - 10 June of people who have overcome difficult Journey through the year as we delight in circumstances. representing the natural world through traditional and contemporary styles. Screel Artists 12 - 22 April Brush Strokes Annual Exhibition A very versatile group of local artists presenting a wide range of work. 14 - 24 June Paintings and crafts by local artists Scotia Crafters 26 April - 6 May Scotia Crafters Sale of local quality crafts 28 June - 8 July Exhibition and sale of local quality made On the Road crafts Dumfries and Galloway Fine Arts Society 10 - 20 May Exhibition of members’ works
Spring Fling Infrared Landscapes Michel Šúr 23 - 29 May Infrared black and white photography of Paula Stahley at Sleepy Silver nature 12 - 22 July Decorated boxes, prints, watercolours and oils
18 Hightae Artists Green House Art 26 July - 6 August 11 - 21 October Paintings by the 20 members of this group A group formed with a mutual passion for of artists, each with individual styles and art display some of their stunning drawings, favourite subjects. The exhibition includes oils, paintings, felting and photographs. acrylics, watercolours, pastels and drawings in a variety of subjects. Art & Nature by Ja’na (naturally) Jim McFarlane 25 October - 4 November 9 - 19 August A display of wooden jewellery boxes, clocks New works and wildlife products, textile arts and crafts, felt work and embroidery. My World of Paint Susan Metcalfe All things Wonderful 23 August - Jake Wade and Patricia Graves 2 September 8 - 18 November An exhibition Works in a variety of media from watercolour of paintings to intaglio prints, acrylic to collage. Artist in using water residence with demonstrations throughout. based media in a colourful and All things Bright and Beautiful. textural way, inspired by the TLC Art and Craft Group Galloway Country 18 - 28 November Life. A variety of art mediums, photography, painting, drawing and crafts, from a group Ian Gascoyne - New Work of local artists from the Castle Douglas area. 6 - 16 September Demonstrations throughout. Bold expressionist oil paintings Scotia Crafters Threave Artists 6 - 23 December 20 September - 7 October Christmas Exhibition and sale of quality local made crafts 2017 will be the 45th Annual Charity Exhibition at the Gallery. Threave Artists are artists resident within 8 miles of Castle Douglas.
19 Museums and Art Galleries Stranraer • Wigtown • Kirkcudbright • Castle Douglas
2017 Heather Dickinson