ARTISTS across the Borders are hoping to make a splash at this weekend’s Borders Art Fair.

Some of the finest contemporary art created in the region and surrounding areas will be showcased at the fair, which takes place at Springwood Park in Kelso from Friday to Sunday (March 16-18).

The free, three-day event features over 70 artists and galleries displaying a mix of ceramics, sculpture, oil painting and watercolours, glass, fashion illustration, pastels, wildlife art and print making and will enable them to sell to a shared audience, providing another important avenue for making a living from their work.

Leading artists set to attend include painters Andrew Mackenzie, Anna King, Helen Tabor and Chris Rose, sculptors Angela Hunter and Frippy Jameson, fashion illustrator Lucy MacLeod and textile artist, Moy Mackay.

Several galleries will also attend including The Scottish Gallery, which will show work by Earl Haig and Sir William Gillies.

A programme of events has been developed to engage and inspire visitors of all ages, which features artist-led workshops and demonstrations as well as talks by some of the most influential speakers in the Scottish art world including Guy Peploe from The Scottish Gallery, Janet Archer from Creative Scotland and Phillip Long from the new V&A Dundee.

The fair will also feature a local heroes exhibition, a specially-curated display by some of the region’s most accomplished artists.

Hugo Burge, Director of Marchmont Farms Ltd in Greenlaw, is one of the event patrons.

He told us: “The Borders Art Fair is giving the region’s artists a platform to shine and will help to put the Borders on the country’s creative map.

“The area can often be overlooked but creativity runs deep here and this fun, friendly event will showcase the incredible talent that the Borders has helped to nurture and inspire.

“It’s set to be a truly special event that we hope visitors from the region and beyond will enjoy.”

As part of Scotland’s Year of Young People, the event will also include a display of the work of a number of Borders schoolchildren who participated in a recent competition designed to encourage the artists of the future.

By special arrangement, exclusive private tours of the works of art in Floors Castle will be available to enjoy when the home of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe is opened, out of season, as part of the fair.

A free return bus service has been arranged to transport Edinburgh visitors from Tweedbank Station to Springwood Park, and a free shuttle bus from Kelso town centre to the venue will also run throughout each day.

Talks, demonstrations and bus travel from Tweedbank Station are free but booking is essential.

Visit www.bordersartfair.com for further information.