The Fair & The Town: A Workshop & Discussion with Artist Mitch Miller

Join artist Mitch Miller for an engaging workshop and discussion exploring the deep-rooted relationship between Dumfries and its fairs. Part of the Atchin Tans & Tobers project, this session invites townspeople to share their thoughts, feelings, and memories of the Dumfries fairs—past, present, and future.

Through facilitated group discussion, participants will reflect on:

• Personal Experiences – What do the fairs mean to you? What are your most vivid memories?
• The Fair & The Town – How do Dumfries and its fairs shape one another? What do we know about the Showpeople who run them?
• The Future – With upcoming changes, including the flood scheme, what lies ahead for the fairs? How do we ensure their legacy continues?

The session will also introduce Mitch’s dialectogram method, a visual storytelling approach that maps and captures shared histories. Participants will have the chance to explore maps, archival materials, and preliminary drawings, contributing their own ideas on how these conversations can be represented.

This is a unique opportunity to be part of an evolving creative project that documents and celebrates the fair’s vital place in Dumfries’ cultural landscape.

Come share your story, shape the conversation, and help imagine the fair’s future.

This event is in partnership with Fair Scotland