Art & Design

Pointless Hackathon, Dundee

Dundee MakerSpace is celebrating their new home by  holding their most pointless event to date. The Pointlessness Hackathon will run on the 10 and 11 January 2015 and challenges you to make the most pointless thing you can think of. So what is a Pointlessness Hackathon? At the Hackathon you will have a day and a bit to make the most pointless thing you can think of. It can be

Beautiful 60s and 70s illustrations by Michael Johnson

These beautiful illustrations were painted between 1959 and 1970 by painter and illustrator Michael Johnson. Born in Thirsk, North Yorkshire Michael completed a three year scholarship in art and design before joining a design company in Leeds. Later he moved to London and worked for Carlton Artists which, at the time, had the biggest studio in Europe. In the late 60s he moved to America, where he worked publications such

Christmas greetings from Darktown: Jonny Hannah’s brilliant new work

One of the finest artists ever to come out of Dunfermline, renowned illustrator Jonny Hannah has an impressive new book out. Greetings from Darktown tells of a mysterious coastal town, not found on any map, peopled by pin-up girls, jazz artists and tattooed sailors. Darktown is home to the Unquiet Grave junk emporium; the Mermaid Café where Woody Guthrie still plays each week; McVouty’s vintage clothes shop and a pier

Halinka Fairies – dancing to the top of the tree

If the fairy or star at the top of your Christmas tree is starting to look a little battle scarred maybe it’s time to invest in a beautiful Halinka creation. Originally based on characters from the ballet, the range has expanded to include Christmas and woodland themes as well as, my favoutite, skating couples from around the world. The figures are not cheap, staring at around £20 and rising to

Festive cheer at the Biscuit Gallery & Cafe, Culross

The Biscuit Gallery & Cafe, Culross is getting into the festive spirit serving complimentary mulled wine and mince pies at their late night shopping evening this Friday. Cafe owner Niall Campbell has just heard that his application for a licence was successful and the cafe/shop can now serve wine. Customers and locals will also be able to buy prints, accessories and ceramics – many of the ceramics are made in

Cellardyke designers take London

From the former fisherman’s net loft that is now their studio in Cellardyke, Fife, Kirsty Thomas and her husband Pete are quietly taking over London. Kirsty had been designing as Lovely Pigeon for a number of years before Pete joined the company and they relaunched as Tom Pigeon in September 2014 at London’s Design Junction. Since then there there have been two exciting collaborations with international galleries: with the V&A

Clean up with a Heal’s original for just £10

My mother was a huge Heal’s fan in the 60s so these fantastic new tea towels caught my eye. The designs have  been taken from the Heal’s archive and screenprinted in the original 1950’s colour palette onto 100% cotton. Each tea towel is 48 x 74 cm and costs £10. Get yours here.

Round the Horn Advent Calendar Trail 2014

Doors will open on the Round The Horn Advent Calendar Trail in Kinghorn at 10am on Saturday the 22nd November. There are 10 venues to visit with 20 artists, designers and makers exhibiting their work, some for the first time. Painting, sculpture, glass, jewellery, ceramics, prints, textiles, homewares, papercrafts and more will be available to view, sample, buy and commission.  The organisers aim to forge a lasting relationship between local people and

Potter About Cafe & Ceramics, Burntisland, Fife

The small town of Burntisland is not the bustling economy it once was but there some attractions for families if you are in the area.  It’s produced it’s fair share of famous sons and daughters as well –  David Danskin, the founder of Arsenal Football Club as well as pioneering female mathematician and astronomer who also has an Oxford College named after her, Mary Somerville. There’s the blue flag beach

The Kingdom that Danced – animations by Alan Grieve and Jim Stirk

Earlier this year Dunfermline artist Alan Grieve was commissioned by the Fife Cultural Trust to create work inspired by the Kingdom the Danced. The project was aimed at people over 60 encouraging them to take part in a contemporary art event. Grieve collected over 100 stories of social dancing in Fife along with fascinating photographs and newspaper clippings. He then collaborated with Glasgow based animator Jim Stirk to create these