Galleries join forces to get Cumbrian visual arts on the map after £57,000 saleS

Following the successful first year in which more than 100 artists opened their studios to the public, the county-wide Eden Arts initiative C-Art is now inviting galleries to join in and put their businesses on the map.

Building on the 2011 event, which saw 8,000 studio visits generating £57,000 of sales, C-Art is set to bring together more of the best Cumbrian visual and applied arts in another two-week event, which this year will include galleries. In response to interest from gallery owners wishing to be involved, they are now able to sign up to be included in the Open Studios trail, which will run from 1 – 16 September. The dedicated website www.c-art.org.uk and catalogue will highlight all the studios and galleries opening their doors during the two-week period. The website will also be available to be used as a definitive year-round directory of art, craft and design across the county.

One of the first galleries to sign up to the scheme is the Courtyard Gallery situated in the beautiful market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland. Owned by Andrew and Roseanna Wright, the gallery is housed in a 17th Century granary, featuring a changing display of original paintings, etchings and local crafts viewed in a relaxed atmosphere. Coffees, teas and homemade cakes can be enjoyed whilst browsing. “This is a great opportunity to be part of this wonderful event,” said Andrew. “After the success of last year’s C-Art we were hoping that Galleries could be included, as we show the work of several Artists involved in the Open Studios trail. It’s great to feel part of a wider cultural event that benefits both local artists and businesses. We’re looking forward to welcoming many new visitors to the Courtyard Gallery in September from the publicity generated by the C-Art event…’.

Andrew set up the Courtyard Gallery in 1986, and is also a partner in the successful Bellwood and Wright Fine Art in Lancaster, which was set up in December 2004, with Roseanna and her sister Sarah Appleby. Forthcoming exhibitions at the Courtyard Gallery include work by Rosemary Morison in March, and a joint show with Debra Esterhuizen and Julie Dumbarton later in the year.

C-Art, which is supported by the Arts Council and developed in partnership with Cumbria Tourism, aims to promote arts in Cumbria and encourage cultural visitors and increasing artwork sales. Adrian Lochhead, Eden Arts director said: “There is a wealth of fantastic independent galleries across the county, often off the beaten track, and we hope that C-Art can be developed as a vehicle to collectively promote these unique and specialist businesses that contribute so much to Cumbria’s cultural identity.”

C-Art 2012 will run from 1 September – 16 September and is now open for applications from both artists and galleries across Cumbria [Deadline 29 February]. The full list of participating galleries and artists can be found on the C-Art website from the beginning of May. For more information on how to apply, visit the C-Art website at www.c-art.org.uk or call Eden Arts on 01768 899444.

Eden Arts wishes to thank Cumbria Tourism for their assistance in developing the project, with special thanks to Derwent Pencils, Booths and the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald for their kind support of the 2011 event