Artist residency for Midsteeple Quarter & Upland Arts, Dumfries with Hannah Fox.

Over 9 months in 2023, Hannah and I worked with young people from local primary schools and townsfolk at civic events including Guid Nychburris and The Stove’s reopening of the beautiful town centre fountain – towards the creation of a bright, cheerful, welcoming artwork celebrating the new homes being built on the High Street and the community-led redevelopment of the Midsteeple Quarter.

The artwork is temporary – and will be in place until the building works are complete. We created a set of large-scale hoardings using images made by the young people, as well as sets of flags that fly above, adding cheer and joy to the local High St.

The commission culminated in a colourful ceremony attended by all the young people who were involved in making the work with us, waving flags as they followed piper Callum Watson in a procession from the Plainstanes to The Standard for the official unveiling.

Amy Marletta, Creative Director at Upland, said: “Our original project brief set out to create an innovative temporary public artwork which was a direct result from participation and engagement with the local community. Hannah and Kate have more than achieved that, creating something celebratory that thoughtfully responds to the ambitions and vision of Midsteeple Quarter. It’s been a pleasure to work with the artists and watch this project evolve into something which we hope everyone can enjoy and feel proud of.”

All photographs by Kirstin McEwan

Client

Midsteeple Quarter / Upland Arts

Funders

Creative Scotland