Lakes Ignite 2016
Celebrating art and culture that sparks your imagination.
The Lake District is set to ignite once again this spring in celebration of the wealth of artistic activity in the region. Spark your imagination with a showcase of contemporary culture in the Lake District, Cumbria from 30 April to 22 May 2016.
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 is an eclectic, celebration of artistic expression in its many forms.
Lakes Ignite 2016 will feature three very distinctive art experiences with a theme reflecting the region’s long and complex relationship with water in all its forms.
Events in the South Lakes
30 April – 2 May Seven Nocturnal Rainbows (Coniston) Coniston Water, suggested viewing point: Brantwood LA21 8AD
A dramatic light installation. The rainbows will appear as the light fades each evening and will become stronger as night takes over from day. Each rainbow consist of up to 250 floating LED units creating a gigantic spectrum as they travel across the lakes. The exact motion of the lights will depend on the wind, and each passage will last 2-3 hrs. 015394 41396 www.brantwood.org.uk
6 – 8 May Museum of Water Wray Castle, Low Wray, LA22 0JA.
The Museum of Water will be hosted at the boathouse, not normally open to the public. An exhibition comprising a collection of over 350 bottles of water, each with its own remarkable story. There’s 129,000 year old water from the Antarctic, tears of joy, water from hidden rivers, muddy puddles and 30-year-old paintbrush water that has travelled the world. The collection is presented in vintage cabinets, and interpreters will be on hand to conduct visitors through the stories linked to the waters. 015394 33250 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wray-castle
14 & 21 May at 10am and 2pm each day 21st Century Landscape Art Class Brockhole Visitor Centre LA23 1LJ Windermere
Leading digital artist Joseph Connor will run a masterclass in how to ‘paint’ using their everyday digital devices such as phones and tablets, instead of just using them to take photos and look at other people’s. Created images will be shared via social media. 015394 46601 www.brockhole.co.uk
Until 25 June (outside sculptures at Blackwell until 4 Sept) Laura Ford: Seen and Unseen Abbot Hall Art Gallery LA9 5AL & Blackwell, the Arts & Crafts House LA23 3JT
One of Britain’s most original sculptors who is well-known for her portrayals of animals, through which she explores aspects of the human condition. Deploying a nightmarish imagination she uses humour and acute observation to engage with social and political issues. 01539 722464 www.abbothall.org.uk /
015394 46139 www.blackwell.org.uk
19 Mar – 15 May Rembrandt, Self Portrait at the Age of 63 Abbot Hall Art Gallery LA9 5AL Kendal
Part of the National Gallery’s Masterpiece on Tour, the painting was painted in the final year of Rembrandt’s life and is one of his last pictures before his death on 4 October 166901539 722464 www.abbothall.org.uk /
Until 6 June Design for Life – exhibition by Stuart Walker Brantwood LA21 8AD Coniston.
An exhibition that confronts the costs of consumer culture. Walker uses objects that blur the boundaries between art and design, he invites us to reflect on critical contemporary questions about progress, technology, nature, spirituality and death. 015394 41396 www.brantwood.org.uk
25 Mar – 30 Oct Romance & Realism Beatrix Potter Gallery LA22 0NS Hawkshead
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter, discover an exhibition of her original watercolours and illustrations which explore the inspiration she found in the natural world. Tel 015394 36355 www.nationaltrust.org
16 – 22 May Freerange Comedy Festival Brewery Arts Centre Kendal
Some of the best comedy acts around have been brought together for this year’s Freerange Comedy Festival. Ramesh Ranganathan, Mark Watson, Deborah Decarle, Craig Campbell and Kieran Hodgson are in the line-up. Tell visitors to book quickly as tickets are selling fast. Box office 01539 725133 www.breweryarts.co.uk
For a full programme of events go to Lakes Culture
