Art exhibition by Anti Racist Cumbria and Carlidoscope

It’s a chance to step into the spirit of the Summit before the big day – perfect if you haven’t managed to secure a ticket, or if you’re curious for a sneak preview.

So, what awaits you?

Five years of Black Joy

On the first floor, you’ll find a vibrant celebration: five years of Black Joy. This exhibition honours ARC’s journey of radical activism in Cumbria, told through photographs, creative work, and voices that affirm the power of joy as resistance.

To give you a glimpse, here are some reflections from the Anti Racist Cumbria family:

“Black Joy is being able to be proud of my Blackness.”
“Black Joy means not having to squash myself or have people question my reality.”
“Black Joy is me being able to live openly, loudly, and freely as I am.”

Ascend to the second floor, and the energy shifts again with two more extraordinary exhibitions.

Creator Lab

Here, ARC’s Creator Lab – a collective of young Black and Brown voices from across Cumbria – present an installation they’ve been shaping over the past year. Bold, unapologetic, and buzzing with energy, their space promises to be a journey that leaves you inspired and, of course… feeling joyful!

LOCAL?

Moving through the exhibition, you’ll then come to Carlidoscope’s exhibition, LOCAL? Carlidoscope is a group of global majority artists in and around Carlisle, and with their first exhibition, they explore identity, creativity and belonging. This multimedia exhibition reflects on their lived experiences of navigating Cumbria’s creative and cultural landscape, and seeks to challenge the borders of person and place, art and expectation. From the joy of finding community to the frustration of being asked, “But where are you really from?”, the group aims to stir up important conversations, celebrate our differences and interconnectedness, and challenge outdated boundaries of what “local art” can be.