Hundreds of people flocked to Abbot Hall as it reopened to visitors for the first time in more than three years following refurbishment.
The lawn outside the gallery was buzzing with families enjoying creative activities supplied by Lakeland Arts’ MEND van, Ragtag Arts, and local organisations CDEC and Anti Racist Cumbria who had stalls. The new creative space and coffee bar served ice cream and cakes throughout the day which visitors enjoyed in the sunshine.
In a marquee, local young people got to share their musical talent playing live in what was a festival atmosphere. Folk group Lal Tethera was followed by a singer songwriter accompanied by keyboard, then a bass guitar and sax duo. Alternative samba band Deatbeats provided the finale of the musical entertainment.
The smell of fresh paint still hung in the air as the first visitors walked through the doors of the gallery. They were able to see film, paintings, drawing and photography by artist Julie Brook in her exhibition What is it That Will Last? (20 May to 30 December). In the downstairs gallery spaces visitors had the chance to see artworks chosen by Julie Brook from Abbot Hall’s collection including JMW Turner, Dame Barbara Hepworth, Helen Frankenthaler and Kurt Schwitters. The afternoon talk in the gallery by Julie Brook was packed out.
Visitor Jo Horton, who had travelled from Leicester, was one of the very first people to see inside the gallery. She commented: “The gallery is beautiful, the space is fantastic and the light just pours in. I found the Julie Brook exhibition fascinating; the films were amazing. It was also fascinating to see the Turner watercolour, and I love artists Kurt Schwitters and Paul Nash. To see their works on display is a joy.”
Rhian Harris Chief Executive Lakeland Arts said, “Thank you to everyone who came along to the gallery opening events last week. It has been absolutely wonderful to see people inside Abbot Hall, enjoying the inspiring art that is on offer. We were delighted that several visitors joined our membership scheme, which offers unlimited access to all of our venues, plus discounts and exhibition previews.”
Commenting on the reopening of Abbot Hall, Jo Lappin, Chief Executive of Cumbria LEP said: “Cumbria LEP provided £495,000 of Northern Cultural Regeneration Funding, on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and it is really pleasing to see how this has been used to bring Abbot Hall back into use, starting by showcasing Julie Brook’s excellent work. This now completes the World Heritage Lake District project that provided a total of £3.29million of investment to Wordsworth Grasmere and Windermere Jetty Museum alongside Abbot Hall, which collectively will further enhance Cumbria’s exceptional cultural offer for both residents and visitors.”
Councillor Jonathan Brook, Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “We have a fantastic cultural offer in this area. Abbot Hall is very much a part of this, making world-class art available on our doorstep.
“Abbot Hall enhances the lives of residents and is a major draw for visitors. As owners of the Grade I listed building, Westmorland and Furness Council have a duty to make sure we take great care to maintain and protect the building as an important asset for the community. We are delighted to see the results of the renovation work and to have Abbot Hall open again with such an engaging exhibition.”
Abbot Hall will be open from Wednesday through to Saturday each week. There are books, toys and drawing tables in the creative space and coffee bar, where children and their grown-ups can relax and doodle. Dogs on leads are welcome in the creative space and there is outdoor seating by the lawn. The gallery admission ticket is valid for 12 months and there are family and student tickets available, Lakeland Arts members go free. Book tickets here.
Over at Holker Hall’s ancient deer park, visitors can now experience Julie Brook’s Out of the ground, a thread of air. This monumental outdoor sculpture which was unfenced at the weekend is an extension of the exhibition and was commissioned by Lakeland Arts, in partnership with the Holker Group and Burlington Stone. It is free to visit the sculpture at Holker Hall.
Find out more at www.abbothall.org.uk
