Carlisle Arts Festival 2009
Friday 17th – Sat 25th July
Lowther Arcade Arts Exhibition

The Carlisle public will not only be able to touch the art, but also be a part of it, at this summer's Arcade Arts Exhibition. Taking place for the third time in empty shops of the city’s historic Lowther Arcade, this exhibition includes sound art, sculpture, textile, performance, and even badges.

The exhibitions Artists come from across the world, including Netherlands based artists Sonja van Kerkhoff and Sen Mcglinn, who will create installations of mixed media including hand- writing, sound, and influenced by the notion of storytelling. Edinburgh based, Tonya McMullan is also creating a site specific installation made up of sculpture, film, and performance, and she says it will be 'taking the form of the theatrical but offering a playful look at the world.' The public will also have the chance to draw their own portrait, with Sophie Rogers, who will be putting the public's images onto badges.

Organised and curated by Caroline Dalton and Matthew Wells, the exhibition in the arcade, called 'Project three', will run from Friday 17th of July to Saturday the 25th July. Scheduled events will occur on the Friday, Wednesday and Saturday, including poetry readings, impromptu tango, and more.

Having proven the success of having art in the arcade, Caroline and Matthew are also continuing to look towards the future. Caroline said: 'After this event we propose to develop the model beyond just the Arcade and form a steering group, seek funding etc. Our aim will be to facilitate more projects routinely beyond the confines of this space.'

The groups broader aims are: to evidence the presence of a diverse community of creative groups and increase links between these groups, to increase links between arts and business and highlight how art can help regenerate Carlisle's forgotten spaces and create new opportunities for artists beyond the gallery context.
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Exhibiting artists:
Janis Young, Sophie Rogers,James Hamilton, Amy Ferguson, Ashlea Logan, Sonja van Kerkhoff + Sen McGlinn, Nick Pemberton/Ben Wohl, Mj Clay, Tonya McMullan, Di Clay, Sean Burn, David Apsden, Olga Kaliszer, Christine Hurford

Launch night will be Fri 17th July at 8pm with music and surprise performance from The Tango Terrorists – further activities will occur throughout the Festival in duration including a live drawing project on Fri/Sat 24/25 led by West Walls Studio Artists plus The Culture Map, and music from Ben Gates & Friends to mark closing on Sat 25th .

Links:
http://www.carlisle-arts-festival.co.uk/