Three local artists are being given the opportunity to take part in a new art trail in Workington.
Cumberland Council is commissioning three visual artists from north and west Cumbria to produce artworks and deliver creative workshops for a Workington Art Trail.
Workington Art Trail, in combination with Workington Sound and Light Show, is an Arts Council England and Cumberland Council funded project aimed at bringing footfall back to the town centre and showcasing what the area has to offer.
Artwork will be installed in windows of selected shops in and around Workington shopping centre, accompanied by a digital map and information to help visitors enjoy and learn about each piece as they go.
The three commissioned artists will work with a community group to co-create collaborative artworks. They will also be funded to create their own piece in response to your experiences on the project.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“Working with the artists and the Arts Council, we will create a body of exciting, vibrant, accessible contemporary art which will provoke conversation and discussion, and ignite a creative spark in the community.
“The participant groups include people who may face barriers to accessing art, and we want to show that everyone has a right to enjoy high quality creative experiences.
“We aim to launch Workington Art Trail in December, on the same weekend as the Light and Sound Show which will bring a significant audience to the area. The artwork will be on display until the end of February 2025. After that, there is potential for the work to tour elsewhere and/or form a semi-permanent exhibition in Workington Town Hall.”
Any artist wishing to take part, is asked to attend a briefing and a Citizens' Assembly to meet the project team and members of the community, and gather inspiration. They'll then be asked to design and deliver one high-quality creative workshop with a pre-arranged group (e.g. a primary class, youth, adult, or elderly group) and, create a new artwork(s) of your own, inspired by your experiences and learning during the project.
The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday 1 March 2024.
To find out more and make an application, visit the Workington Art Trail website.