Experience outstanding culture in the inspiring setting of the Lake District this autumn

This autumn Lakes Culture brings you a colourful and creative season of art about comics, colour and the environment, theatre about Cumbria, China and balls and festivals about artists and mountains; all guaranteed to inspire and satisfy art connoisseurs, families and those that just love the Lake District. Check out our Top 10 events coming soon…

C-Art 2016 ‘Art in Extraordinary Places’ Various locations across Cumbria – 10 –  25 September 2016
Castles, churches, lake shores and mountain huts are just some of the unusual settings which will play host to some exceptional works of art in the iconic Cumbrian landscape, as part of C-Art 2016.Co-ordinated by Eden Arts, the award-winning C-Art is the county’s biggest visual arts project including 110+ artists, designers and galleries spread across 80 venues across Cumbria. As well as ‘open studios’ in more traditional gallery settings, artists will also be taking up residence in 15 more unexpected locations. That ranges from Carlisle Cathedral to the shores of Ullswater and Windermere, and properties throughout the Lake District including Grasmere’s Allan Bank, Fell Foot Park and Bark House at Ashness Bridge.

Meeting Bea at The Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness-on- Windermere 16 September – 9 October 2016
You are invited to discover Beatrix Potter in her later life as the formidable Mrs Heelis – accomplished writer, award-winning Herdwick farmer and countrywoman.
This production by Eric Pringle will premiere at The Old Laundry Theatre, in the scenic Lake District town of Bowness-on-Windermere, on 16 September. The performance celebrates Beatrix Potter’s 150th anniversary in theatrical style and introduces this incredible Lake District icon during the years after her story writing heyday.

Roundabout Returns! Abbot Hall, Kendal 6 – 9 October 2016
Following on from last year’s success Paines Plough Theatre Company will be returning to Kendal with its Roundabout theatre dome this autumn! Roundabout, a unique pop-up 168 seat auditorium, will once again be pitched on the Abbot Hall lawn for a special series of performances from 6-9 October. Paines Plough is regarded as the “National Theatre” of new writing, renowned for their acclaimed, cutting-edge productions and they will be presenting three new shows:

Growth by Luke Norris – Tobes is young, free and having a ball. Off. It’s seriously cramping his style so there are pants to be dropped and decisions to be made. A comedy about growing up and manning up. 6 Oct: 7.30pm, 8 Oct 7.30pm & 9 Oct: 5pm. £10/£9 U16

Love, Lies and Taxidermy by Alan Harris –. Son of a Polish taxidermist meets daughter of a failing ice cream salesman. In Tesco. An offbeat love story about trying to fit in. 7 Oct: 7.30pm, 8 Oct: 5pm & 9 Oct 7.30pm. £10/£9 U16

I Got Superpowers for My Birthday by Katie Douglas – Ethan, William and Fiona discover they have superpowers just in time to save the world. Join our heroes on a magical quest for ages 7-11. 7 Oct: 10.30am & 1.30pm (schools shows), 8 Oct: 2pm & 9 Oct: 2pm.

There will also be a variety of live music, spoken word, comedy shows and community events. To be confirmed. For details visit http://www.breweryarts.co.uk/or call box office on 01539 725133.
Spinning the Colours of Lakeland at Blackwell, The Arts & Craft House, Bowness on Windermere –  24 September – 29 January
Colour I revel in’ – the words of Annie Garnett, the creative Arts and Crafts designer and entrepreneur who became a key figure in the revival of hand spinning and weaving in the Lake District. The exhibition will include examples of Annie Garnett’s designs on paper and the resulting silks, embroideries and textiles. It will also explore the inspiration for the forms and colours of these in the landscape and skies of Lakeland and especially in the fascinating garden created by Annie close to the Spinnery and once described by an American journalist as ‘A colour laboratory in the English lake region’. On the 23 September join the curators of Spinning the Colours of Lakeland who will lead a tour highlighting the inspiration for Annie Garnett’s colours and designs in her garden. Book your ticket here.

Atkins CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the year 2016 at Grizedale Forest & Visitor Centre – 3 September – 1 January 2017
The Atkins CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year 2016 presents a shortlist of 60 exceptional environmental photographs, from a submission of ten thousand images by photographers and filmmakers internationally. The photographs and films reflect the urgent environmental and social concerns that surround us today. Topics include recent natural catastrophes induced by the changing climate, the effects of population growth on the urban environment, and the resourceful ways in which the human race is preserving the earth’s biodiversity.  Experience this powerful exhibition in the natural setting of Grizedale Forest.  Supported for the fourth year by Forestry Commission England.

The exhibition at Grizedale Forest will be accompanied by a portfolio showcase by photographer Pedram Yazdani, winner of the Forestry Commission England People Nature and Economy Award 2016.

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival, Kendal 14 – 16 October 2016
The much anticipated Lakes International Comic Art Festival now in its fourth year will put a spotlight for one fantastic weekend on the brilliance, diversity and quirkiness of comic art. Taking over the town of Kendal, on the edge of the Lake District, the Festival features international comic artists and creators, as well as live drawing, film, exhibitions, comic trails, workshops, performance, master classes and independent publishers.

The events programme is bursting with opportunities to get up close and personal with some of the leading comic artists and writers from across the world – see them draw, talk about their work and bring comics to life. Guests revealed so far are Joe Kelly, Bryan Lee O’Malley, Luke and Steve McGarry, Mick McMahon, Ken Niimura and Benoit Peeters, – with more announcements to come soon.

There is something for everyone to enjoy including a free Family Zone providing drop-in activities for all ages, alongside a series of fantastic workshops from toddlers to teenagers. Simply come together for a weekend to celebrate the amazing world of comic art.

Kendal Mountain Festival, Kendal 17 – 20 November 2016
Kendal Mountain Festival is the world’s biggest mountain festival. It’s a celebration of mountain film, literature, art, athletes and legends that aims to inspire more people to explore, enjoy and represent mountains, wilderness and their cultures. Thousands of outdoor enthusiasts plus media industry specialists, athletes, top brands & equipment manufacturers, artists, photographers, adventurers, explorers and inspirational speakers gather every year to share adventures and celebrate the very best in outdoor and adventure sports culture. At the heart of its rich programme is the International Film Competition, attracting premières from around the world – it has been called the ‘Oscars of outdoor filmmaking’. Over 70 films are screened (from 200+ entries) with eleven coveted awards up for grabs. However, Kendal Mountain Festival is not all extreme action – you can experience culture, drama, wildlife and environmental documentaries, plus the world’s largest lecture programme covering outdoor content.

The Emperor and the Nightingale and The Secret Life of Suitcases’ Theatre by the Lake, Keswick from 25 November 2016
This Winter treat the whole family to two outstanding family-friendly performances at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake on the shores of Derwentwater. The Emperor and the Nightingale is set in ancient China.  The young emperor Wu is kept a virtual prisoner in his palace by his scheming guardian, Li Si. For Wu, the world outside the Forbidden City is a dangerous place. But when he hears Xiao, a young peasant girl, talk of the most beautiful sound on earth – the song of the nightingale – it’s too much to resist.

From the 13 -23 December enjoy ‘The Secret Life of Suitcases’. Larry works in an office and he likes it very much. He likes sorting and tidying and generally putting things in order. Everything in its place, a place for everything. But one day, a suitcase suddenly appears at his door. A suitcase with a tiny label. A tiny label with Larry’s name on it. And this suitcase has a mission. A funny and enchanting show with renowned Scottish puppeteer Ailie Cohen. (Suitable for ages 4+)

Remember to enjoy a pre-theatre meal at Theatre by the Lake’s new Café by the Lake – a lofty, light and airy place to dine with spectacular views across the lake to Cat Bells and beyond.

People on Paper at Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, 29 October – 17 December 2016
Bringing together some of the finest drawings in the Arts Council Collection to Kendal including Frank Auerbach, Peter Blake, Lucian Freud, Barbara Hepworth, David Hockney, L S Lowry and Henry Moore to name a few. Artists have been drawing the figure for centuries, from carefully composed life drawings to people caught unawares at leisure or work. Though there are sometimes surprising similarities across the decades, there is also a great diversity of techniques and approaches. The majority are drawn from observation, though some are from memory or imagination; some are unfinished studies while others are finished works in their own right. On the 18 November join Arts Council Collection Curator, Ann Jones at Abbot Hall Art Gallery, as she leads a walking tour of this show, which draws together artwork by British artists of the last 100 years. Book your ticket here

Joseph Hardman: People on Film at Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry, Kendal 17 September – 17 December 2016
Joseph Hardman was a prolific photographer who captured an image of Lakeland life between the 1930s and the 1960s. The Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry now holds over 5000 of his original glass slides. This show will bring together some of these images to examine an aspect of Hardman’s work that is often overlooked, his use of people as subjects. Hardman is more famous for his stunning landscapes or the work of shepherds, but people from all walks of life play an important role in his photographs. This display will ask how the figures in Hardman’s pictures were used and how they help to create his signature Lake District images.

To find out more about art and culture in the Lake District, Cumbria please visit Lakes Culture.
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Note to Editors:
For more information, contact Sarah Jones – sjones@cumbriatourism.org  / 01539 825052 or visit http://www.cumbriatourism.org/marketing/lakes-culture-intro-page.aspx
• Lakes Culture aims to bring together the area’s tourism and cultural sectors to better promote the wealth of cultural activities on offer reaffirming the area as the UK’s leading rural cultural destination.
• The Lake District is one of only ten locations in the country to benefit from Cultural Destinations initiative a focused programme set up by Arts Council England and VisitEngland. The aim of Cultural destinations is to enable arts and culture organisations working in partnership with destination organisations to increase their reach, engagement and resilience through working with the tourism sector. Closer working between the two sectors will contribute to the economic growth of the cultural and tourism visitor economies.
• Organisations involved in the project include Kendal Brewery Arts Centre (Lead Organisation), Lakeland Arts, Wordsworth Trust, Theatre by the Lake, The Forestry Commission – Grizedale, Cumbria Tourism, The National Trust, Lake District National Park, South Lakeland District Council and Lake District Summer Music.
• The Lakes Culture project forms a supporting strand of the UNESCO World Heritage bid submitted by the Lake District National Park Partnership.  Decision announcement expected July 2017.

Are these the most travelled sheep in the Lake District?

Go Herdwick sheep sculptures sail staggering 10,000 miles

A pair of unique art exhibits – located on board two historic Windermere ‘steamers’ as part of the Calvert Trust’s Go Herdwick public art trail – will have soon have clocked up 10,000 miles on their travels up and down England’s longest lake over the summer.

The colourful life-sized sheep are named ‘Blue Ewe’ and ‘Guo Se’ (which means ‘national beauty’ in Chinese) and were designed for Windermere Lake Cruises by Cumbrian artist Karen Lester. They are part of the 50-strong flock appearing in an array of unexpected places across the South and Central Lakes to raise money for the Calvert Trust.

‘Blue Ewe’ and ‘Guo Se’ boarded the vessels in March and as the final day of the Go Herdwick trail approaches on Sunday 5 September, it’s been revealed that the sheep have sailed at least 10,000 miles between them. As well as daily scheduled sailings, that includes wedding receptions, private charters and evening buffet cruises as the sun goes down.

John Woodburn, Operations Director at Windermere Lake Cruises, says, “We’re proud to have brought these unique pieces of art to Windermere, particularly for such a good cause. Blue Ewe and Guo Se are the only sheep on the Go Herdwick trail that have literally been on the move throughout this special outdoor exhibition and have certainly created a talking point for passengers as they sail around Windermere.”

People still have time to see the Blue Ewe’ and ‘Guo Se’ before Go Herdwick draws to a close on Sunday 5 September. They will be sold in aid of the Calvert Trust along with their fellow Herdwick ewes at the charity’s Grand Gala Auction at the Low Wood Bay hotel in October.

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Notes to Editors:

Image attached: Fellow Bowness resident ‘Terrance Baa’ (located at Macdonald Old England Hotel) jumps on board with a quick ride with ‘Guo Se’ (Windermere Lake Cruises) for part of the journey.

Windermere Lake Cruises is the country’s sixth most popular ‘paid for’ visitor attraction with almost 1.5million passenger journeys on England’s longest lake every year, according to official VisitEngland figures. The company operates 16 boats, including three historic ‘steamers’, nine waterbuses and four traditional wooden launches, as well as a fleet of motorboats and rowing boats. Famous passengers include Her Majesty The Queen, who has twice sailed on the iconic MV Teal. www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk / @Windermereboats

For more information, please contact: Jennifer Cormack, Windermere Lake Cruises – 015394 40349 / j.cormack@winander-leisure.co.uk

Exhibition explodes with new 3D printing technology

Imagine a world where any object can be produced whenever we want them using computer data and turning it into real physical objects before your very eyes. That’s the innovation behind the latest 3D: Printing the Future exhibition at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven this summer.

Using the latest 3D printing technology, the exhibition includes an explosion of over 100 printed objects, revealing how 3D printers inspire creativity and ground-breaking design which could potentially change the future for industry and medicine.

From replacement body organs, robotic body parts and artworks to model engines and more, the exhibition explores the rapidly evolving field of 3D printing and its growing impact on society.

Elizabeth Kwasnik, Director at The Beacon Museum, which is owned by Copeland Borough Council and run in collaboration with Sellafield Ltd, said: “In the past year 3D printing machines made an estimated 6.2 million objects alone in the UK and this is set to skyrocket when machines become more widespread and capable. This innovative exhibition takes visitors on a journey through key industries using this ground breaking technology such as medicine, entrepreneurs and businesses. It can help inform local companies who could potentially capitalise on 3D printing technology by manufacturing things they couldn’t make through traditional methods thus helping to transform the way they operate”.

“It’s also an ideal exhibition for any science or engineering enthusiast not to mention a fun, interactive event for families”.

The museum has 3D printers working daily creating new objects to display at this exclusive exhibition. Families can create and take away their very own object by taking part in the 3D Printed Pens, Laser Cut Dream Catchers and Laser Cut Insect Hotels workshops on selected dates and times this August and September (booking required).

The 3D: Printing the Future exhibition is open daily and runs until the 9th October including this Bank Holiday Monday from 10.00am – 4.30pm with the last admission to the exhibition at 3.45pm.

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Notes to Editors:

Images: 3D Blue Rabbit; 3D Red Rocket, 3D Printing Machine and 3D WREX Skeleton Support.

1. The 3D: Printing the Future exhibition runs until the 9th October 2016.
2. Spanning 5 floors, The Beacon Museum is located on the West coast of Cumbria in the picturesque fishing town of Whitehaven. The museum tracks the social history of the local coastal area and boasts a Harbour Gallery the new ‘Light in the Dark’ Gallery and an extensive programme of national touring and temporary exhibitions. For more information, visit https://thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk .
3. This exhibition was created using a Science Museum Blueprint Pack. As the home of human ingenuity, the Science Museum and its world-class collections form an enduring record of scientific, technological and medical achievements from across the globe. Welcoming over 3 million visitors a year, the Science Museum aims to make sense of the science that shapes our lives, inspiring visitors with iconic objects, award-winning exhibitions and incredible stories of scientific achievement. More information can be found at www.sciencemuseum.org.uk .

For more information or a hi-res image/s, please contact Rebecca Walker on 01539 825003 or at rwalker@cumbriatourism.org. Alternatively contact Cumbria Tourism Press Office at pressoffice@cumbriatourism.org Tel: 01539 822222.

Lake District set to dazzle in new film adaptation of classic children’s book Swallows and Amazons

Cumbria Tourism, the county’s official destination organisation, is looking forward to the Lake District, Cumbria dazzling in the limelight once again, with the imminent release of the new film adaptation of Arthur Ransome’s classic children’s book Swallows & Amazons.

The film, which stars Kelly Macdonald, Rafe Spall, Harry Enfield and Andrew Scott, will be released in cinemas nationwide on the 19 August during the summer holidays making it the perfect time for families to be inspired to have their own adventures and follow in the footsteps of the young explorers.

With locations including Boon Crag Farm in Coniston and Derwentwater in Keswick showcasing our stunning scenery on big screen, the whole country will be able to see how the area is the perfect place for an outdoor adventure. From sailing on the lakes to exploring ancient woodlands there is nowhere else more suited for the ultimate family escape.

Rachel Tyson, Head of Marketing & Sales at Cumbria Tourism, says,
“We are really excited about the release of this brand new adaptation of Swallows and Amazons and look forward to welcoming many fans to visit the iconic locations for themselves, and have their own summer of adventure in the Lake District, Cumbria. We look forward to the positive impact the film will have on the local economy and we hope to see an increase in bookings and trade across the county.”

In July, Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake took centre stage welcoming the cast and crew for the World Premiere of the film which was very well received by all who attended.

Director Philippa Lowthorpe says;
“It was hugely important to me that we filmed ‘Swallows and Amazons’ in the Lake District. We filmed on Coniston and Derwentwater, with Herbert Island doubling as the infamous Wildcat Island. The Lake District is more than just a location in the film and Arthur Ransome’s story, it’s as important as any lead character. It was exhilarating to capture its epic beauty on the big screen. We hope the film’s release this August will inspire families to go out and have their own adventures in the Great British countryside and we can’t think of a better place to visit than the glorious Lakes”

Cumbria is no stranger when it comes to being chosen as the perfect blockbuster setting with Miss Potter, King Arthur and even Snow White showcasing the beautiful Cumbrian countryside on big screen.
For film images and press materials please visit: www.studiocanal.co.uk/press

Trailer can be downloaded here:
http://video.thinkjam.com/video/studiocanal/swallows_and_amazons/trailer/trailer_1080p.zip

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Notes to Editors:

For more information, please contact Cumbria Tourism Press Office: pressoffice@cumbriatourism.org, 01539 825052

1. Cumbria Tourism is the lead organisation for tourism in the county and is at the heart of the Cumbria Visitor Economy. It is also the largest membership organisation in Cumbria with more than 2,400 members. In 2015, more than 43 million people visited Cumbria, contributing more than £2.62 billion to the local economy and support around 61,000 jobs.

2. SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS follows four children dreaming of escape from the tedium of a summer holiday in the Lake District with their mother. When finally given permission to camp on their own on a remote island in the middle of a vast lake, they are overjoyed. But when they get there they discover they may not be alone… As a desperate battle for ownership of the island ensues, the real dangers of an adult world on the brink of war encroach on their paradise in the form of a mysterious pair of Russian spies hot on the tail of the enigmatic Jim Turner. As the sleepy British summer is turned on its head, the children must learn skills of survival, responsibility, and the all-important value of friendship. Steeped in the wonder of a child’s imagination and set against the breath-taking backdrop of the Lakes, this is an exhilarating adaptation of a treasured classic.

3. For more information about visiting the Lake District, Cumbria, visit: www.golakes.co.uk

4. To find out more about the work of Cumbria Tourism, visit www.cumbriatourism.org