Celebrating art and culture in the Lake District that sparks your imagination from 30 April – 22 May…
Lakes Ignite 2016, supported by United Utilities, is an eclectic celebration of artistic expression in its many forms, featuring a programme of outstanding contemporary art experiences inspired by our stunning landscape and a selection of music, art, comedy and literary highlights.
Lakes Ignite 2016 reflects the Lake District’s long and complex relationship with H2O in all its forms.
// LAKES IGNITE ART EXPERIENCES
Seven Nocturnal Rainbows for the English Lakes is a dramatic light installation created by artist Charles Monkhouse, inspired by the poets and artists of the Lake District. The programme of seven evening ‘Rainbows’ will visit three of the English Lakes in turn: Coniston Water, Ullswater and Grasmere between 30 April – 6 May 2016.
A map for Seven Nocturnal Rainbows is available to download at the bottom of the page
Museum of Water will be sited in Wray Castle Boat House between 6 – 8 May alongside Windermere, England’s longest lake, to ponder our precious liquid resource. Museum of Water, created by artist Amy Sharrocks and presented by Brewery Arts Centre, comprises of a collection of over 700 bottles of water, each with its own remarkable story.
21st Century Landscape Art Class, led by digital artist Joseph Connor, will encourage people to stop and take time out of their day to sketch what they see in the landscape using their everyday digital devices such as phones and tablets. Joseph will host creative sessions at Brockhole, in the Lakes, on the 14 and 21 May before the work is shared online and via social media.
// TICKETS
Tickets are available via Brockhole, the Lake District Visitor Centre – £15 per adult and £10 per child (under 18). All children (under 18 yrs) must be accompanied by a paying adult and are the responsibility of the accompanying adult.
// WINDERMERE LAKE CRUISES TO BROCKHOLE
Enjoy a cruise over to Brockhole for 21st Century Landscape Art Class with Windermere Lakes Cruises who have boat journeys across Windermere to Brockhole for visitors who want a car-free visit.
Spark your imagination with Lakes Ignite – a showcase of contemporary culture in the Lake District, Cumbria!
LAKES IGNITE HIGHLIGHT EVENTS
// Laura Ford: Seen and Unseen
Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, 11 March – 25 June
Blackwell, the Arts & Crafts House, Bowness-on-Windermere, 11 March – 4 September
Blackwell and Abbot Hall present an extraordinary exhibition of work by sculptor, Laura Ford. Located at Blackwell on the lawns, with select pieces in the main house and at Abbot Hall, Laura Ford: Seen and Unseen will showcase Ford’s earlier work together with new sculptures – a not to be missed Lakes Ignite highlight!
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// Rembrandt, Self Portrait at the Age of 63
Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, 19 March – 15 May
Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, is one of only three UK host venues for Rembrandt’s Self Portrait at the Age of 63. This much-loved work from the National Gallery Collection is on tour as the final painting in the three-year Masterpiece Tour.
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// Realism and Romance: Beatrix Potter, a life inspired by nature
Beatrix Potter Gallery, Hawkshead, 25 March – 30 October
Discover an exhibition of Beatrix’s original watercolours and illustrations which explore the inspiration she found in the natural world. From an early age, Beatrix made intricate studies of wild animals, the cycle of the seasons and the woodland environments of her beloved mushrooms.
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// Two Bad Mice: Mischief in Beatrix Potter’s Tales
Wordsworth House and Garden, Cockermouth, 25 March – 30 June
Revisit the magic of childhood with this special exhibition of original artwork by Wordsworth’s fellow Lake District resident Beatrix Potter. Revel in her dark humour and relive the glorious chaos that ensues when naughty mice, impertinent squirrels, curious kittens and enterprising rabbits and piglets take themselves off on illicit adventures. Free with entry to house and garden.
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// Go Herdwick Art Trail
Various Lake District locations, 25 March – 11 September
Rydal, Grasmere, Ambleside, Keswick and Windermere will be invaded by a flock of life sized Herdwicks fabulously decorated by artists. Keep your eyes peeled for these creative renditions of Cumbria’s native sheep in numerous unexpected places, all paying homage to the Herdwick’s iconic home in the Lake District. An art trail map will be available to buy throughout the life of the project to support the Calvert Trust.
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// Design for Life: Radical Objects for Sustainability by Stuart Walker
Brantwood, Coniston, 16 April – 6 June
Exploring the concept of ‘Designing Sustainability’ Stuart Walker introduces an exhibition reflecting creative approaches to design that are rooted in understandings of being human – a type of design that grows out of contemplation, reflection and quietness and is enriched by cultural context and locale. As a contemporary artist-designer, Walker’s artworks at Brantwood will showcase a ‘conversation’ with early conservation and environmentalist, John Ruskin.
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// Keswick Jazz Festival
Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, 12 May – 15 May
Theatre by the Lake invites you to swing into May in silver-style with the 25th anniversary of the acclaimed Keswick Jazz Festival – arguably Britain’s most illustrious celebration of authentic, New Orleans, Swing and mainstream jazz. This year the festival boasts a roster of fabulous international guests and UK talent with over 90 events across four packed days. From intimate concerts and show-stopping performances to a Mardi-Gras-style procession in Keswick on Saturday and al fresco jazz in Keswick on Sunday, the festival promises unmissable musical razzamatazz.
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// Freerange Comedy Festival
Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, 16 – 22 May
Some of the best comedy acts around have been brought together for laugh out loud fun at this year’s Freerange Comedy Festival. Ramesh Ranganathan, Mark Watson, Deborah Frances-White, Craig Campbell and Kieran Hodgson are amongst the impressively talented line-up of comedians set to take the stage at the Brewery Arts Centre, as part of Lakes Ignite 2016.
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Lakes Ignite 2016 – celebrating art and culture in the Lake District that sparks your imagination from 30 April – 22 May, is supported by United Utilities.
To enjoy these Lakes Culture events and much more, book your break in the Lake District here