A NEW exhibition at An Lanntair in Stornoway explores the appeal of surfing and surf culture in the Hebrides.

Wave Migration is a new exhibition by screen printer and surfer Laura Maynard, with large-scale portraits and mixed media pieces.

Myanard's portraits feature indivisual surfers, and the reasons why they moved to Scotland.

She said: “For the surfers originally from Lewis this sport, lifestyle and passion was a key factor in their decision to stay - when so many of their peers decided to leave.

"For those that moved to the island it was the draw of the waves, wilderness and culture that led them to find something different and special on Lewis.

"It isn’t just about the waves, the surfers have brought with them around twenty kids and counting, bringing much needed youth to an ageing population. I wanted to paint a body of work that captures a moment in time that may have disappeared in other more popular and accessible surf destinations."

Maynard grew up in Lewis and has an honours degree in Fine Art from Duncan of Jordanstone in Dundee.

Wave Migration is her first solo exhibition and these 15 large-scale portraits have been painted over a 20-month period.

Roddy Murray, head of visual arts at An Lanntair, said: "The sea has defined these islands for millennia.

"It is a resource on which communities have been dependent for a living as much as it can be seen as an obstacle or a high road to escape or travel the world.

"For many it is just there, taken for granted. Only now is it being valued in terms of recreation and lifestyle.

"This exhibition gives us a deep personal insight into this new vibrant, growing culture and the community that it comprises."

www.lanntair.com

THE Boswell Book Festival, the only book festival dedicated to biography and memoir, takes place from 10 to 12 May.

Based in Dumfries House in Ayrshire, it opens this year with broadcaster Kirsty Wark, as well as vocalist Alfie Boe.

Faiza Hayani Bellili and Leila Hedjem are also taking part in the festival.

These are two of the contributors of Together, the best-selling cookbook produced by women affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

They will be talking about the impact of the event on their family, friends and the community.

Other figures taking part in the festival, for which The Herald is media sponsor, are Doddi Weir, Neil Oliver, Susan Calman, Tom Devine, Dame Sue Black, Edinburgh born model and campaigner Eunice Olumide, Kate Williams, Ursula Buchan, talking about her grandfather John, Clare Hunter, Bendor Grosvenor and Ben MacIntyre.

Rosemary Goring, journalist and author, will talk about her new book Scotland Her Story.

Tim Bouverie will be talking about his first book, Appeasing Hitler, in conversation with Lt Col Charles Cameron MC, who fought at El Alamein with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, on 11 May.

Allan Little, Jonathan Fenby and Adam Zamoyski will explore whether world affairs are again at a pivotal moment in history.

Mr Little will also be giving the inaugural Boswell Lecture on war.

The Children’s Programme includes Nick Sharatt and Kjartan Poskitt, Scottish based illustrator, Jill Calder and bestselling author Vivian French, who is also doing a workshop for those who would like to learn how to write a children’s book.

www.boswellbookfestival.co.uk

THE Southern Exposure festival at Edinburgh's Summerhall, with the Edinburgh International Film Festival, is to take place on 21 and 22 June.

Pictish Trail headline the opening night.

Piroshka, the new group featuring members of Lush, Elastica, Moose will be playing, as well as Modern English, Bossy Love, Harry Harris and Carla J. Easton.

Saturday's shows will include Summerhall associate artist Little King, and Callum Easter will be playing tunes from his debut album, and other musicians will include Savage Mansion, Rev Magnetic, Be Charlotte, and Meursault, launching their new album Crow Hill.

www.summerhall.co.uk

RISE 2019, a dance festival held in Findhorn, will run from May 3 to 5.

Curated by Dance North Scotland, it will feature national and international artists, including Bon 4 Bon by Taiwan’s Chang Dance Theatre, Montreal’s Mandoline Hybride; and the Scotland-Québec dance film collaboration from Katrina McPherson and Harold Rhéaume.

The 2019 programme has "themes of landscape, dance for the screen, the every day and relationships."

Shows include Crystal Zillwood’s These Hands and the Screensaver Series by Janine Harrington.

Dance North is working with artists and cultural organisations from Montreal for Mandoline Hybride and the Québec-Scotland Screendance collaboration.

Karl Jay-Lewin, artistic director of Dance North Scotland said: "While some of the performances include familiar and easily recognisable themes, other pieces play with beautiful visual imagery and music inspired patterns.

"I believe the programme will have something to suit all tastes.

"My invitation to seasoned dance audiences and first timers, is to try something new and take a punt on something different."

Dance North is an organisation based in Findhorn, Moray and was established in 2003.

www.dancenorth.scot