Young artists from schools in North Cumbria on show
Participating schools include the Cockermouth School, Keswick School, Appleby Grammar School, Austin Friars Independent School in Carlisle, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Penrith, and the James Rennie School for Special Needs in Carlisle.
At the opening at the Theatre by the Lake Joyce Berry, the Chair of the Arts Society Cumbria, welcomed Steve Harwood, the Mayor of Keswick and other guests, and spoke about the role of the Society in promoting the arts. Joyce thanked the Society’s Art Co-ordinators Fiona Campbell, Stuart McElhinney and Ann O’Donovan who made it all happen. She also expressed gratitude to the Theatre for hosting the exhibition.
The wide variety of themes featured reflections, solitude, crowds, portraits and landscapes. The many portraits in various media were particularly accomplished in their exploration of states of mind. Echoes of the pandemic could be seen in moving NHS portraits. The younger pupils from the James Rennie School for Special Needs presented colourful artworks on the theme of gardens.
The Mayor of Keswick, Steve Harwood, was invited to select three artworks that appealed to him most. The works chosen were a kaleidoscope by Millie Turner of Cockermouth School, Solitude by Ellen Grogan of Keswick School and a black and white cut-out portrait of Jimmi Hendrix by Theo Coward of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Penrith.
“It has been a pleasure to collaborate with teachers in North Cumbria in creating this opportunity to promote young artists”, said Fiona Campbell.
The exhibition ends on 30 August and entrance is free. The Theatre is open Monday to Saturday from 12 – 7.30 pm on performance days and until 5 pm on non-performance days.. The Theatre’s Gallery is on the mezzanine and upper floors.
The Arts Society Cumbria is a member of The Arts Society, a leading arts education charity with a global network of 385 local Societies, which brings people together through a shared enjoyment of the arts. The Society organises lectures, study days, trips and social events as well as arts volunteering. Its members come from all over North Cumbria and further afield. The Society welcomes new members and can be contacted by email at theartssocietycumbria@gmail.com.
Photograph caption: Steve Harwood, the Mayor of Keswick and Joyce Berry of the Arts Society Cumbria.
Press Relations: Lena Stanley-Clamp at lstanley.clamp@gmail.com tel. 07527749732
Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/theartssocietycumbria