FORTHCOMING EVENT: CLARE MELINSKY 2014 WORKSHOPS

Clare Melinsky, the highly regarded and much published linocut artist, is holding a new series of workshops at Thomas Tosh in February.
Clare, who has illustrated numerous books, will be holding the workshops each Saturday in February (1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd). They cost £55 each and include lunch and refreshments, with room for 6 people each session.
You can just try one session, or maybe build up your skills over a few. And they would make a great Xmas gift, so Clare has created unique gift tokens for the workshops.
For more info contact Thomas Tosh. Tel: 01848 331 553, or info@thomastosh.com

Event Report: Duke of Buccleuch at Tosh

Duke Richard presents to Thornhill Heritage Society

The Duke of Buccleuch delved into his family's history on Tuesday 19 November at Thomas Tosh. Duke Richard was the guest speaker of the Thornhill Heritage Society.

The Duke gave a richly illustrated talk about his eighteenth century forebear, the third Duke of Buccleuch, Henry.

Henry's tutor was Adam Smith, the giant of economics, and author of the Wealth of Nations. Smith took the future Duke on a tour of Europe that saw them meet Voltaire, a philosophical superstar in Europe.

Duke Richard said it was very special to think of his forbear as a ward of Smith meeting Voltaire. The current Duke also talked about how he was working to ensure Adam Smith's legacy, with recent trips to Hong Kong and South Korea.

The Duke also showed images of Dalkeith, home of Henry, and Boughton, both still part of the Buccleuch estates, along with local Drumlanrig Castle, near Thornhill.

Mary Bromilow Book Launch

Alexa Rutherford's cover illustration

Mary Bromilow will be launching her new book Nan's Rabbit tomorrow at Tosh (Saturday 27th April) from 10.30am-12.30pm. She will be joined by Alexa Rutherford, who has illustrated this story for children.

Mary doesn't shy from the often tough realities of young life on a farm. She says:

"The tale is largely autobiographical, and I remember the day and the experiences very clearly.

The story is for any child who loves animals, and who can find it hard to come to terms with the apparent cruelty of nature and the seemingly hard hearted attitudes of adults."

Don't worry, despite reality rearing its head, this rabbit tale has a happy ending. This is Mary's second book launch at Tosh.  Her previous, the factual The Clydesdale about that horse breed,  was a great success. So good luck to Mary and Alexa on another winning streak with their children's story. Paul

Spring Highlights at Tosh

Beware winter! Gilbert & Sullivan and indie band Lorraine McCauley and the Borderlands are coming to Tosh to drive you away this Spring. 
Thomas Tosh is hosting Lorraine and the Borderlands on May 27th as part of the Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival. You can see Lorraine in our banner picture at the top of this page.
And the Edinburgh Gilbert and Sullivan Society will be at Tosh on June 2nd as part of the Festival too.

Plus it's our fifth birthday in May, so we have a special Toshcentric Bistro night inspired by our popular cafe menu. Keep up to date with all the news here.

written by Paul O'Keeffe

Clare Melinsky Workshops in February 2013

The planned Clare Melinsky print workshop for next Monday November 19th has been postponed until February, when Clare will be running four new sessions.
 
The February workshops cost £50 including lunch in our cafe, and morning and afternoon refreshments.

Clare will help you design your own works of art.

The workshop dates are: Friday 1st, Saturday 2nd, Saturday 9th and Tuesday 12th February 2013.

Beginners and returning students are welcome; minimum age 16; only six students per session.

And if you are stuck for a Christmas present idea: a workshop could make a great gift for a friend or relative.

Ring 01848 331 553 to book a place. Or email: info@thomastosh.com.

Clare Melinsky Workshops this November

Clare's linocut poster for her workshops

Clare Melinsky is running more of her popular lino cut one-day workshops this November at Thomas Tosh.

Clare will help you design your own work of art, from greetings card designs to special prints you can take home. 

Learn great skills from this respected print maker whose illustrations have graced Royal Mail stamps, Shakespeare and Harry Potter editions, adverts and labels, and newspaper columns. The November  workshops take place on Saturday 3rd, Friday 9th and Saturday 10th, and Monday 19th. Beginners and returning students are welcome; minimum age 16; only six students per session. 

Clare also notes that by attending more than one workshop, you will be able to build on previous work and skills to create more elaborate prints. This might work particularly well for people who choose to attend both the November 9th and 10th workshops.

Each session costs £50 including lunch in our cafe, and morning and afternoon refreshments. Ring 01848 331 553 to book a place. Or email: info@thomastosh.com

Clare is also running workshops in February 2013. The dates are: Friday 1st, Saturday 2nd, Saturday 9th, Tuesday 12th. Booking is now open for those sessions too.

Emma Gray's exhibition flies in

A Plane Perspective from Emma Gray

Our latest exhibition gives a martial twist to the tradition of the Dumfries and Galloway landscape. Slade School of Art graduate Emma Gray has spent the last year scanning the sky over Thornhill and our surrounding areas for low flying military aircraft. 

Emma's distinctive landscapes always stand out, but they've an added dimension with the mechanical might of the RAF. 

The exhibition launches this coming Saturday (8th September), from 10am. Emma will be at Tosh to chat to customers about her new work. You are very welcome. Entry is free and the exhibition runs until 3rd October. Click here to find out more