An artist who taught workshops inside a mobile art studio has been left "beyond devastated" after the vehicle was torched by cruel vandals.
Andrea Douglas was horrified to learn that her Wee Pink Van – a caravan she had converted into a personal workshop – was set alight on Grove Road in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, on Friday night. The vehicle was completely destroyed in the fire, along with art supplies belonging to her and her daughter Alia, and police are treating it as deliberate.
Speaking to The Courier, Andrea said she had handed police a number of "disturbing" anonymous messages she had received before the caravan was torched. The vehicle had also been the target of vandals in recent weeks.
She said: "When I got the call and went outside and saw the caravan in flames, I was beyond devastated. My work and personal items were in there. My daughter also had her things in there, and now they’re gone. I’m not angry with whoever done this, but I want them caught.
"I want them reprimanded and held accountable for the damage they caused. Someone must have seen something and I’m pleading with the public to come forward with some information.”
Andrea's Art For All business sees her hosting art workshops at events inside the distinctive trailer. The tragedy could have been worse – as Alia, who also uses the caravan to make bracelets, had been planning on having a sleepover inside.
In the aftermath of the fire Andrea's sister, Jenni Woods, set up a fundraiser to help the artist get her Art For All business back on its feet. The GoFundMe page has already more than doubled its humble £500 target.
In a post on Facebook earlier today, Andrea added: "The support friends, family and strangers have shown me the last 24 hours has been humbling and it means the world to me. I can’t sleep and can’t get the image of seeing my dream up in flames out of my head."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “At around 11.45pm on Friday, officers received a report of a vehicle on fire on Grove Road. The fire is being treated as wilful and enquiries are ongoing.”
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