EVENTS: MAY AT TOSH

From the Thornhill Music Festival gig on Friday 1st May, to Hugh McMillan on Thursday 28th May, and the return of Thornhill Arts Summer Competition: lots on at Tosh this May. More details here: http://www.thomastosh.com/events

EVENT: CLARE MELINSKY: SANDSTONE & CIDER EXHIBITION LAUNCH

Sandstone & Cider  

Renowned lino cut artist Clare Melinsky’s latest exhibition highlights food and drink, with a twist of D&G

Sandstone & Cider runs from Tuesday February 3^rd until Saturday 7^th March at Thomas Tosh in Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, and features illustrations Clare has created for the food and drink industry.

“It just seems like a really appropriate theme given that 2015 has been designated Scotland’s Year of Food & Drink,” says Clare, who stays just outside Thornhill.

Clare’s distinctive lino cuts have featured on food products from artisan biscuit manufacturers to big companies such as Marks and Spencer, and major venues including Edinburgh and Stirling castles.

Clare's designs for Artisan Biscuits

One of her latest commissions is for a brand new Dumfriesshire cider using apples grown in Nithsdale. It’s called Steilhead and is brewed by Max Nowell, who is also well known for his sculpture.

Clare has designed labels for three different types of Steilhead cider: bullfinch, siskin and nuthatch.

Clare's cider label illustration 

The exhibition’s added Dumfries and Galloway theme comes from Clare’s lino cut prints commissioned by the museums in the region. 

"Castle and cottage, toolbooth and townhall are all here, mostly built of our handsome red sandstone," explains Clare. 

Clare's lino cut of the Robert Burns centre, Dumfries

The Sandstone & Cider exhibition launches with a special evening at Thomas Tosh on Tuesday 3^rd between 7pm-9pm with complimentary nibbles and drinks, and a chance to taste the new Steilhead cider. All are welcome. Admission is free.

Clare is also running workshops at Thomas Tosh, to coincide with the exhibition. Those taking part can learn the art of lino cut and develop their skills with the guidance of one of the UK’s most respected practitioners of the print-based art.

Paul O’Keeffe, partner at Thomas Tosh, said:

“It’s great to have Clare brightening up February with her new exhibition. Her work’s character shines through wherever it’s used.

And Scotland’s Food and Drink Year, and her new cider commission, gave us an opportunity to focus on a growing area of Clare’s work. Her illustrations are important in helping food companies demonstrate their difference from the rest.”