Carlisle’s Historic Quarter Arts Festival is underway and this year’s is bigger than ever with more than 60 works of art on display.
The annual event is a showcase for the city’s talented artists whose work is exhibited in shops, hairdressers, cafés and offices.
The main gallery and shop are at Intro PR, in Paternoster Row. A map – available from the shop or from the tourist information centre in the Old Town Hall – will guide you around the art trail.
This is the fourth time the festival has been held and this year the theme is “Carlisle’s living history”.
Malcolm Wilson, of Blackbox Architects, is chair of the festival judging panel. He said: “This festival is a fantastic opportunity for the artistic community of Carlisle to show what they can do and is a great way of celebrating the talent that we have in our city.”
Amateur and professional artists have submitted work in a range of media, including painting, photography and sculpture.
There is even a hand-painted fairground sign as one of the exhibits.
Artist Gregory Coburn has taken the brief literally with a portrait of his neighbour Derek Gaughy, 82, who has lived through some of Carlisle’s historic moments and can even remember Montgomery travelling up Botchergate in an open-top car to thank the troops at the end of World War II.
You can also see work from children at Inglewood Infant and Nursery School, The Gillford Centre, Stanwix Primary School, Kingmoor Junior School, Trinity School Home Group, Trinity Culture Club and pupils from Trinity School.
The event is generously sponsored by the University of Cumbria, Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, Cumberland Council, Blackbox Architects, Amato’s, Hayward Tod, Whyte Café Bar, Bookends and Sculpture House Hair, while Spark has sponsored the children’s section.
The art collective SoMo is curating the exhibition, which includes free activities such as guided walks around the art trail, writing workshops and a children’s art workshop drop-in with Abby Kilfedder and Artscool.
Throughout the festival, Michelle Russell is storytelling in the Market Hall.
You can vote for your favourite artwork in the ‘People’s Choice Award’ by completing a form at the shop at Intro PR.
For more information visit https://weareintro.co.uk/artsfestival/ or email Georgina Harland at george@weareintro.co.uk
The festival runs until Sunday 18 August and is open daily from 11am to 4pm.
