A poet, a painter and a sculptor will install art in shop windows across Workington Shopping Centre in November as part of Workington Art Trail.

Cumberland Council commissioned Melissa Davies, Alison Critchlow and Rosie Galloway-Smith to work with school children and members of Workington’s deaf community to create the art.

Workington Art Trail is running from November 29 until the end of February 2025.

It is also supported by Workington Town Council and funded by Arts Council England and Cumberland Council to increase footfall in the town centre and showcase what the area has to offer.

Darren Crossley, Cumberland Council’s director of place, sustainable growth and transport, said: “We aim to launch Workington Art Trail in late November on the same weekend as the Light and Sound Show which will bring a significant audience to the area.

"After that, there is potential for the work to tour elsewhere and/or form a semi-permanent exhibition in Workington Town Hall.”

The artists will hold creative workshops with the Cumbria Deaf Association, Victoria Junior School and Moorclose Community Centre.

They each have been allocated a group and will be doing workshops with them to influence the art piece.

A digital map will be made available closer to the launch as a resource for people to learn and explore the trail.

All work and information will be available on their website: https://www.workingtonarttrail.com/

Painter Ms Critchlow has been a professional artist for 30 years and has a studio in Bowness-on-Solway. 

She said: “I'm thrilled to bits to see this project happening in Workington - it's innovative, inspiring, forward-looking and great to see Cumbria leading the way with new approaches to arts engagement."

Ms Davies, a poet based in Cumbria and Arctic Norway, said: "As a poet, it’s exciting to be harnessing the natural creativity of local people."

Ms Galloway-Smith, who lives in Carlisle, said: “I am excited to be part of such an interesting community project that allows artists to work closely with Workington locals as well as give a personal artist response.

"I am looking forward to seeing how the whole event comes together along with the light show.”

Artworks will be installed in the windows of selected shops within the Workington shopping centre accompanied by a digital map and information to help visitors enjoy and learn about each piece as they go.