For Immediate release 13/5/2008

Lowther Arcade Art Project

Local Artists and Carlisle based estate agent Walton Goodland have teamed up to transform one of Carlisle’s forgotten landmarks. As part of the upcoming Carlisle Arts Festival (running May 23 to May 26) Lowther Arcade will be transformed into a gallery for contemporary art.

Walton Goodland have generously given the artists permission to use not only the walls and ceiling of the arcade itself but also the several empty shop units and fronts; work will also be sited within businesses such as the Circle Bar.

Artist Caroline Dalton said that the aim of the project is “to introduce a short but vibrant programme of art interventions specific to the area, which might rejuvenate and bring public attention back into the Arcade”

Caroline has taken on the organisation of the project and has worked closely in association with the Carlisle arts hub, and recent graduates of Cumbria Institute of the Arts.
According to Caroline “Built in 1904, Lowther Arcade was described in 1993 by local Carlisle newspapers as echoing the glories of Greece” She continued by saying that despite this heritage “like many contemporary urban images the place also has an the additional prominent feature of closed businesses and empty premises.”
This ground breaking project of artists engaging with a local estate agent, will celebrate the arcade’s place in Carlisle's heritage, highlight the current prevalence of empty premises in the city and demonstrate a model of how business can benefit from working with artists.
The arcade will be saturated in contemporary art. Stepping through a huge foam circle to enter, the viewer will be surrounded by new, site specific art works. Almost visual art by stealth, Matt Wells will introduce cardboard pillars and architectural features, appearing as integral supports to the ceiling, above hangs the work of Hannah Stewart- a 4mtr long Japanese knot and off to the side the work of Noel Clueit will imitate a crack on a window.

Every empty unit will be utilised, with other interventions including; large cross sections of tree presenting a mythological insect, a miniature world hidden within a box, video projections and an installation mapping the vacated space. There will also be sporadic live art performances throughout the weekend.

Artists Dawn Bothwell and Noel Clueit, who will be working collaboratively in the project feel events such as this, are vital for all arts in Carlisle saying, “It is important to execute a high quality exhibition to aid the future developments of similar projects in Carlisle and the north of England.”

Ends ( 422 words)

Notes to editors-

Contact- Caroline Dalton- dalton7947 [at] hotmail [dot] com

Hannah Stewart- freerangeartists [at] phonecoop [dot] coop

Artists include-

Kathy Toth
Noel Cleuit
Janis Young
Ian Holliday
Lesley Sharples
Matt Wells
Hannah Stewart
Caroline Dalton
Di Clay
Tony Oliver
Dawn Bothwell
Rich Webster

More information about the Carlisle Arts Festival can be found at www.carlisle-arts-festival.co.uk