[A] TALENTED group of local artists will bring a new project to Whitehaven this month.
Building on the success of the Eden Valley Artistic Network (EVAN), the group of eight artists – known as EVAN West – will host a residency in The Beacon Portal between June 16 and 24.
The public will be able to view their creations, speak to the artists and purchase their work. The residency at The Beacon Portal is part of an EVAN trail that features Florence Arts Centre in Egremont and other artists’ studios across West Cumbria, the aim of which is to get new audiences involved with the local arts community.
Maggi Toner-Edgar, event organiser, said: “The trail is an ideal opportunity to see art by the artistic network.
“We are encouraging new members to meet up, as The Beacon Portal is an excellent venue, not only for workshops and exhibitions but for inspiring future artistic projects ad exciting collaborations.”
The artists will also invite the public to take part in workshops to try their hand at a range of disciplines from fashion/textile upcycling to clay landscape modelling and life-drawing. There will also be mobile art walks on the harbour.
Alan Irwin, Business Development Manager at The Beacon Museum, said: “We have such an array of local talent that often struggles to connect with one another and with new audiences due to the perceived remoteness of our part of the world. This is why artistic networks are there to counteract such issues.
“When the network asked if we could help them, it was an opportunity too good to miss.”
The public can visit and shop at the artists’ showcase in the Portal for free from June 16 to 24. Refreshments are available for browsers with donations going to the museum’s Quantum Leap youth engagement programme.
For more information, visit the museum in person, telephone 01946 592302 or visit www.thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk.