Majestic scenery, ever-changing colours, the play of light on lake and fells, it is no wonder that artists have always been inspired by the Ullswater Valley.
As part of this year’s C-Art, Cumbria’s largest visual art project, over 110 artists across the county are opening their studios to visitors from 10-25 September and there are two Open Studios and one art installation no more than a stone’s throw from the Ullswater Way.
Just a short walk along the lake shore from Pooley Bridge Rachel Fenwick’s thought-provoking installation “A Place in Time” will catch you eye. Sign-posts with dates rather than place names invite us to reflect on the crossroads in our lives, the directions we have chosen and how our identity has been influenced by those decisions.
At the southern end of the lake in Glenridding village you will find Pat Dyson’s Open Studio. Pat likes to sketch and draw outside, capturing the colours of the changing seasons. She also does wonderful portraits.
Not far away, in Patterdale, Pat Cooke’s fell-side studio is a delight. Describing her work, Pat says “I like to capture the landscape and objects around me in as fresh and immediate way as I can”. Pat’s artwork feels like a celebration of her natural surroundings.
Pat Cooke has designed one of the Friends of Ullswater Way heritage art installations, an artists’ seat that will remind visitors of artists from the past who were inspired by Ullswater and its surrounding fells. J.M.W Turner, John Glover and Ann Macbeth all loved the Ullswater landscapes and will be celebrated on a small plaque to be placed on the seat.
For more information about C-Art and to check opening times www.c-art.org.uk
Also not to be missed is the Dockray Artists Open Studio at the Royal Dockray Hotel. See work by Michelle Castles, Gina Farncombe and Joanne Mitchell.
Friends of the Ullswater Way Blog 