A new £400,000 arts centre will open in Creetown this weekend.
The former St Joseph’s Church building has been transformed in a project overseen by Creetown Initiative.
And a packed programme has been lined up at The Quarrymen’s Arts Centre this weekend to mark the occasion.
Creetown Building Preservation Trust own and manage the building and chairman Rosanne Service said: “We look forward to welcoming you to our new centre. It is a fantastic resource which will be enjoyed for many years to come.
“A huge thank you to the many people who have contributed over the years to make this possible.”
Among those performing at the opening will be Creetown Silver Band, formed in 1880 when six local quarrymen raised £20 to buy their own instruments. The arts centre will be their new home.
They will be appearing on Sunday when Tom Pow and The Galloway Agreement will present The Village and The Road in the evening. Music and the spoken word will create a portrait of the tensions that exist between the village and the road at a time of rural depopulation.
Sunday will also feature come and try circus and trapeze workshops for youngsters.
The Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre wii present Rapunzel on Saturday afternoon with Mark Zygadlo’s 6.5 metre mobile wooden Mediterranean style windmill WhiteMill on display in the grounds.
And Saturday’s performances also include a concert from singer and harpist Rachel Newton.
The restoration of the centre has been made possible by support from a variety of sources including LEADER Dumfries and Galloway, The Holywood Trust, Historic Environment Scotland, The Robertson Trust, The Foyle Foundation, Hugh Fraser Foundation, Robert Barr Charitable Trust, David Stevenson Trust, Ward Family Charitable Trust, JTH Charitable Trust and The Creetown Silver Band.
For more information and to see the full programme for the opening weekend, check out the Quarrymen’s Arts Centre Facebook page, visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/quarrymensartscentre or call the Midsteeple box office 01387 253383.
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