CPA - Centre for Practised Arts - Dumfries, Scotland

06/07/2024

Mmmm… some VERY interesting vintage designer label fabulousness has arrived at CV HQ 🤩
Available very soon! Keep your eyes peeled for updates cool cats 👀
Definitely NOT to be missed ✨

06/07/2024

Alongside our ‘Who Were We’ Victorian portrait photography exhibition in rooms we are also running the very popular ‘Dumfries Past Shadows (Then & Now)’ photographic project which has been expanded again to include more images of the town.

Please pop in!!

We are open 11-4 Fridays and Saturday from now until August!

9 Church Crescent Dumfries

Next door to Anderson’s Kilts store!!

05/07/2024

New exhibition now showing at The CPA, 'Who Were We?'

Open Friday - Saturday until 3rd August 2024 (11-4)

This fascinating exhibition of 100 Victorian 'Cartes Des Visites' contains portraits produced by Dumfries photographic studios between 1849 and 1900 of what would be in most cases local residents.

Of the 100 images we have only one subject who we can name........perhaps you can help?

'Cartes Des Visites' were a very popular photographic item and were frequently given or swapped with family or friends.

They formed an early version of 'social media' as they were designed to be produced in batches of 10 and with their small size they could be posted or included in letters easily.

The images also reflect the 'social status' of the subjects which can be observed in not only the clothing and appearance of each person but also the choice of Photographic Studio.

Although now long gone, the subjects would have walked the same streets, used the same buildings, spaces and perhaps even this building as it was a busy bank which opened in 1847, in their lifetime.

Many of the issues that they would have been aware of are still with us today, wars, famine, disease and social welfare matters; we should remember that in the earliest images the subjects would have survived the 1848 Cholera epidemic which swept through the town and also that the older people sitting for the photographer would have been alive at the time of the French Revolution and Robert Burns in the late 18th century.

03/07/2024

03/07/2024

Introducing talented photographer and Associate of the Royal Photographic Society Laura Hudson Mackay - Photographic Artist

Laura’s stunning black and white photographs will take your breath away and her unique use of shadow play will leave you in awe. But it’s not just about the aesthetics, her work also explores the concept of Thresholds and Thin Places, reminding us that there is beauty and meaning in the spaces ‘between’.

Opportunity to meet and chat to Laura this Wednesday 3rd July at Shambellie House from 10am-9pm. Let’s celebrate and support the talented women in the world of photography! 🙌✨

📷 ©️ Alan Bennington

30/06/2024

Coming soon……..

30/06/2024

There was a very full house at Kirkcudbright Galleries last night for the opening of the fabulous Henry Raeburn Exhibition. Here the curator, Amanda Herries, spoke to the gathered throng who spilled out onto the street. Guests included James Holloway from National Galleries of Scotland, Portrait Gallery and a glamorous couple from New York who sponsored the Exhibition guidebook. I was very honoured to be invited to the Dinner afterwards at Selkirk Arms Hotel, Kirkcudbright hosted by Jane Maitland on behalf of Kirkcudbright 2000 and Kirkcudbright Galleries. I do love an arty party ❤️

22/04/2024

30/03/2024

Hey cool cats! 😸
Don’t forget to follow us for updates
Cool stuff… coming back to soon!

30/03/2024

BRAVE NEW VENTURE

Welcome to the Loreburn Hall!

It’s a milestone moment for us here at the Loreburn Hall as Sandy Sweetman and Simon Robertson take over the management of the much-loved community venue in the centre of Dumfries.

The duo now plan to reignite the energy and community spirit that people associate with the Loreburn Hall.

There is no shortage of enthusiasm for this brave new venture, with initial interest and venue bookings off to a promising start.

To enquire about hosting your next event in the Loreburn Hall email: [email protected]



Credit: Dumfries & Galloway Life

22/03/2024

The sun is out inside and out!!

Norval Forrest ‘Painting by Numbers’ Live!

21/03/2024

The new programme for the Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival has now been officially launched and full details of all events can be found in the link below.

We have printed programme leaflets available so please pop in of you are passing to pick one up and support the events.

https://dgartsfestival.org.uk/?fbclid=IwAR1Mo3ZA5NCKV6NmtItV7d5_4MYAB9HqwiXcC_jkQPR01uUi_zCjvtsUymY

This week we will be open for Norval Forrest's 'Painting by Numbers' work and he'd love to see everyone.

Friday 11-4
Saturday 11-4

Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival supports people in some of the region’s most rural areas to experience world class performing arts. We bring the best local and national artists to our communities; we invest in our performing artists; introduce our young people to live performance and engage peop...

20/03/2024

19/03/2024

We have a very special guest in the gallery area this week!

Following the success of Norval and Claire's exhibition last week Norval will be returning to paint in the gallery space for three days and would love you to pop in and join him for a chat and also to learn about his creative process and how he tackles his work across different mediums.

Opening times are;

Wednesday 20th March 11-4
Friday 22nd March 11-4
Saturday 23rd March 11-4

Norval will be creating works in the space and will also during the opening times create improvised musical interludes upon his clarinet.

Come in, have fun and chat with Norval............you will leave inspired and happy!

12/03/2024

A must see, Norval and Claire are the perfect hosts and look forward to meeting you all over the next few days!

09/03/2024

Just in from a fabulous, fun evening on the Ghosts and Graverobbbers tour, unearthing ghostly (and ghastly!) tales aplenty! A huge thank you to our lovely guests who made it all possible - so nice to welcome you all and hope our paths cross again soon.

07/03/2024

Due to popular demand we are extending the Dumfries 'Old and New' Exhibition until April '24.

The images will now be displayed in Room 3 of The CPA with Room 1 showing the works of Norval Forrest and Claire Hamerton.

07/03/2024

NEW EXHIBITION

'PAINTING BY NUMBERS'

NORVAL FORREST

&

'FABRICS BECOME FANTASY'

CLAIRE HAMERTON

13TH TO 17TH MARCH 2024

11am to 4pm

Claire and Norval bring their works to The CPA combining fine art, fabrics and a hint of surrealism.

Both artists produce works reflecting their multidisciplined skills and we look forward to welcoming you to their exhibition.

Do come in and help support our local artists!

05/03/2024

CPA is at the Parliament Building now…….

28/02/2024

28/02/2024

We are open again this week from Thursday to Saturday 11-4pm for the 'Old & New' Dumfries exhibition.

We are next door to Andersons' Kilts on Church Crescent, just look for the 'Stane Man'!

Drop in an please feel free to share with friends!

22/02/2024

The Lutras are live at The CPA…….acoustic and fabtastic!!

21/02/2024

Busy day tomorrow;

We are open from 11am until 4pm for the Dumfries 'Then and Now' Exhibition which has been a great success and then in the evening we have special acoustic session by 'The Lutras'..........still a couple of tickets left.

https://www.seetickets.com/event/the-lutras-acoustic-headline-show-warm-up/cpa-centre-for-practised-arts/2938654

20/02/2024

19/02/2024

The CPA are pleased to present their first live musical performance featuring an exclusive 'accoustic' performance by: THE LUTRAS @ 7.30pm on Thursday 22nd