Visitors travelled far and wide last week to gather at Crawick Multiverse, near Sanquhar, for the Summer Solstice celebrations and to mark the longest day of the year. With an array of events and performances scheduled throughout the week and a new temporary art installation on show at the 55-acre art land, it was no surprise that visitors made their way to enjoy the midsummer celebrations at the unique site in Upper Nithsdale.
NEW ART INSTALLATION
One of the first visitors was American artist; Barbara Crawford who was on site to create and install a new temporary art installation near the Sun Amphitheatre. Barbara, who is a Professor of Art and Art History at the Southern Virginia University in the US, has created installations worldwide, but it was Charles Jencks, and his work at Crawick Multiverse, that inspired Barbara to visit Scotland and to install her own art, reflecting the land, sea and air of Scotland, on site. The installation was finished just in time for Summer Solstice and was admired by visitors throughout the week.
Photo: Temporary Art Installation created and installed at Crawick Multiverse by Barbara Crawford, Professor in Art and Art History at the Southern Virginia University in the US. (Credit: Mike Bolam / Barbara Crawford)
LUNAR LANDING
Amongst the visitors to Crawick Multiverse last week were some of the 150 international delegates from the European Lunar Symposium (ELS), which was taking place at The Crichton in Dumfries from the 16th – 21st June. As part of the week-long programme, delegates were invited to visit Crawick Multiverse, and to follow in the footsteps of Neil Armstrong in Langholm and at Gilnockie Tower. As a partner in ELS, representatives from Crawick Multiverse also attended various other social events during the week and co-hosted the Solstice Seminar at The Crichton for the public on Thursday evening.
Read more about the ELS visit to Crawick Multiverse in our Guest Blog: Lunar Visitors.
Photos: Neil Armstrong’s son Rick, and his wife Mary, were among the delegates visiting Crawick Multiverse (Credit: Allan Devlin)
SOLSTICE DAY
It was an early start on Thursday for those who made it along for the Solstice sunrise just after 4.30am. The day started with a Sunrise Tour from award-winning tour guide and storyteller; Kathleen Cronie. Visitors also took the opportunity to participate in the wellbeing sessions from Shining Cloud Tai Chi for Health and Kerry Riddell Yoga.
Photos: Sunrise Tour led by award-winning tour guide and storyteller; Kathleen Cronie / Andrea Thompson and Kathleen Cronie / Hayley, Rachelle, Deanna and Heather from Ayrshire / Sue Siu with her dog from Maybole / Wellbeing sessions included Tai Chi, Qigong and Yoga (Credit: Mike Bolam)
Heather, Hayley, Rachelle and Deanna who visited from Cumnock said:
“We have visited Crawick Multiverse before, but this is the first time we have been here for the Summer Solstice and it is something we really wanted to experience. We are here for the sunrise tour and to take part in the wellbeing sessions later today.”
By midday visitors gathered around the Sun Amphitheatre to enjoy dance and musical performances from the Cairn Chorus, Motiv8 Dance Group and a collaborative performance entitled; Polyhedra Dance (including Nonsuch History and Dance, Keneish Dance – Balance, Denise Telles Hofstra and Tom Hughes).
Photos: Cairn Chorus / Motiv8 Dance Group / Polyhedra Dance including Nonsuch History and Dance, Keneish Dance – Balance, Denise Telles Hofstra and Tom Hughes
SOLSTICE FUN NIGHT
On Thursday evening, over 60 young people from the local Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Beavers and Cubs enjoyed a sunny Fun Night on site at Crawick Multiverse.
Photos: Local Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Beavers and Cubs enjoyed a sunny Fun Night on site at Crawick Multiverse on the longest day of the year (Credit: Maureen)
Cathy Agnew, Trustee, The Crawick Multiverse Trust said:
“We were pleased to see so many visitors coming to Crawick Multiverse during Summer Solstice week this year and to play our part in welcoming international delegates to the European Lunar Symposium hosted by the Open University in Scotland last week too. It was a wonderful week for Dumfries and Galloway and we were delighted to be part of it.”
Photos: Cathy Agnew welcomes ELS delegates to Crawick Multiverse (Credit: Allan Devlin)
Crawick Multiverse is open daily from 10am.
The team at Crawick Multiverse are now looking forward to welcoming outdoor theatre company Illyria, for their summer performance of The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle on the 16th July, and to hosting their two-day Music at the Multiverse festival on site from the 31st August.
