WHAT'S HAPPENING

This is the first of two residencies that we're running as part of Sense of Here, and it's hugely exciting to be welcoming a group of emerging artists to join us in the Lake District. We're partnering with the Wordsworth Trust and Grizedale Sculpture to run this 4-day residency, and linking with the wider programme being run by Great Place : Lakes and Dales. More information here - and in December we'll be sharing the work produced by the residents. 

To mark the proposed destruction of ancient woodlands along the route of HS2, which deeply sadens us, we've teamed up with the Woodland Trust and have created a site-specific artwork. The Archive of Lost Woods is an immersive art installation, sited in one of the 108 woodlands that are due to be affected as land is cleared to make way for the building of HS2 (even though HS2, currently, is pending review). The event is open to a limited number of guests, by application. More information and ticket booking here.

We were absolutely delighted to be selected for this show at Rheged in Penrith. The Westmorland Landscape Prize 'celebrates and interrogates our relationship with landscape.' Our work will be on show alongside 70 other pieces chosen from over 1000 submissions. 'The Light Walk' piece is a response to our seven-day walk between seven remarkably ordinary trees in midsummer 2016, as part of The Long View (more on The Long View exhibition here). The exhibition is in place 13 September - 10 November. Find out more from the Rheged website here. 

Delighted to be taking part in this exciting day organised by Amy Bray, founder of Another Way. In one day, the aim is to have events taking place on of as many of the Wainright summits as possible. We'll be on Helm Crag above Grasmere. Weather permitting we'll be siting an artwork on the summit, and whatever the weather we'll be there to share bisucits and build a poem drawing in contributions from anyone who wants to join in. So do stroll up and see us! The day will mark the launch of Another Way, whose mission is 'to empower people to change their own lives for the health and happiness of themselves, their community and our planet.' It is also a record breaking attempt for the most people simultaneously summitting each of the Wainrights in the Lakeland fells, 'highlighting the need to bring our planet back from the brink of disaster.' More details on Amy's website here: Another Way.

Hurray! We're returning to the wonderful Timber Festival this year not just as punters, but with a site-specific installation: a new Haiku in the Trees drawing on our previous work in Cumbria, but composed especially for the National Forest, which holds stories of transformation and new life. Delighted to be part of an exciting gathering of artists, musicians, writers and creatives sharing their passion for the natural world, and trees in particular. Come and join us to enjoy the festival, join debates, walk with poetry, and dance into the night. 

Normal Nicholson's writing has been an inspiration for many. It's deeply rooted in the Cumbrian landscape, with particular resonance to the Millom area. We're very chuffed to be at the festival this year, giving a presentation and a workshop. If you'd like to take part in our workshop to record your own special place through photography and poetic reflection, please get in touch with us, or contact the festival organisers. The workshop (2.45-4.15pm) is open to all and follows our presentation. (1.30-2.30pm). Both are free! More information here. 

The Wordsworth Trust, in connection with students from Principia College, Illinois, are hosting a day around the theme 'What is Natural?'. We'll be sharing our thoughts, and joining other presenters including Timothy Morton and Mike Collier.

This three-day international gathering brings together creative thinkers and doers to explore the forest and how we live with trees. We'll be installing a temporary piece of artwork and running a workshop, and revelling in the chance to join talks, discussions, walks and workshops with a whole bunch of inspiring people. More info about the programme and how to book here. The event is being convened by art.earth, the Royal Forestry Society and Timber Strategies, and takes place in the grounds of Dartington Hall, Devon (TQ9 6EL).

For the third 'Ethonography on Foot' event we're looking forward to leading a walk around Newcastle City Centre, using trees as tools for navigation and triggers for conversation. It's not our home turf, but a place we came to know when The Long View exhibition was shown at the Great North Museum: Hancock in 2018, and for this we featured 7 Newcastle trees. We'll be joined by scientists specialising in smart city planning and mitigating the impact of climate change in cities, and others whose varied approaches to understanding place span ethnography, film, poetry and walking. Info to follow at CSOP website. To book or enquire, contact: [email protected]

We're delighted to have been invited to present at the Institute For Leadership and Sustainability at the University of Cumbria's Ambleside Campus. Come and join us to explore artful ways of thinking about the complexities of place, what really matters to people, and the challenge of maintaining a National Park. Percival Lecture Theatre, 5.30-7pm. Free. More Information here.

Delighted to be exhibtiting at this show curated by Camilla Nelson, bringing together a wide range of work bringing writing, visual art and landscape together. More at the Plough Arts Centre website here.

Looking forward to chatting with Helen Millican on this Thursday evening programme. Tune in through Radio Cumbria, 7-10pm

Join us for a stroll among trees and sculptures: we'll pass by treefold:north and one of the UK's 11 treepoles that were set up to mark the tree charter. 10.30am start in Grizedale Forest. It's a free event. For more details, and to book a place, click here. 

Looking forward to bringing images, stories and poems inspired by the seven Long View trees to this event, considering 'tree time', the creative, emotional and spiritual effects of walking and slow time outdoors, and what trees mean as part of the bigger, interconnected landscape.
Later in the afternoon Harriet will be joining other poets to read from the new 'This Place I Know' anthology of Cumbrian poetry.
More info here.

We're delighted to be on the panel of the Saturday morning 'Performing Mountains' session, with Jonathan Pitches, Lousie Ann Wilson, and David Greig. Come along, Abbot Hall Centre, 11am, to find out more about artistic interpretation and engagement with mountain environments. More here.