World renowned photographer to launch Galloway Photographic Collective

Seven of Dumfries & Galloway’s leading professional photographers are collaborating in a new project to raise awareness of the art of photography in the region. The Galloway Photographic Collective is embarking on a marketing campaign starting on Saturday 31st March when world famous landscape photographer Colin Prior will formally launch the project by giving a talk at the Catstrand.

The goal of the Galloway Photographic Collective is to make professional photography more visible and more accessible, highlighting the galleries and exhibitions open to visitors in the area. A studio trail leaflet has been developed and will be distributed across the region and further afield, and a website with information on all the participating studios went live earlier this month.

The launch weekend will start at the Catstrand on 31st March with an exclusive look at the first Collective exhibition, featuring a range of work from the seven participating photographers, followed by a talk titled ‘Following an Inner Path’ from guest speaker Colin Prior. Renowned for his beautiful panoramic images of Scotland Colin has become a household name in the photography world. He has built his career the hard way, going from a struggling freelancer to a highly successful pro who is able to make a living from his passion. His talk will offer valuable advice to anyone thinking about becoming a landscape photographer.

The launch weekend concludes on Sunday 1st April when the local photographers open their studios from 10am-5pm giving visitors the opportunity to meet the artists and see their work.

The six studios, Allan Wright in Parton, Ian Biggar in New Galloway, Kim Ayres in Castle Douglas, Leeming & Paterson near Dalry, Phil McMenemy in Laurieston and Roger Lever in Dalbeattie, are all located within 25 miles of each other and so provide visitors with an easily do-able day out, enjoying a fascinating insight into differing photographic styles and techniques.

Morag Paterson of Galloway Photographic Collective said:
“We’re thrilled to have someone of Colin Prior’s standing supporting the launch of the Collective. Dumfries & Galloway is an incredibly beautiful part of Scotland, providing inspiration to many photographers, both professional and amateur, in the region. Through encouraging visitors and local people to embark on a tour of photographic studios and galleries in this beautifully scenic part of Galloway, we hope to raise awareness of photography as an art form and inspire others to see the beauty that surrounds us every day.”

The Galloway Photographic Collective is supported by the South of Scotland Creative Clusters project, which helps groups of small businesses in Dumfries & Galloway work together.

The Galloway Photographic Collective exhibition preview starts at 6pm at the Catstrand, Colin Prior’s talk ‘Following an Inner Path’ starts at 7.30pm. The Collective exhibition will run at the Catstrand for six weeks.

For more information visit www.gallowayphotocollective.co.uk

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Contact:
For more information contact Morag Paterson on 01644 430 004 or Mb: 07917 102 693 or email moragleeming@me.com