I have a strong committment to community and public art, having seen the positive results from ongoing community activities, increasing community awareness, pride of place, when there is a sustainable vision and continual nurturing.

Instead of focusing on the negatives and why things are not working. I believe that we should focus on what could work and how to implement this. Since been in the UK, primarily in the North West I have seen and experienced some amazing work. However I believe that it is often created in isolation and not connected to a continual vision, making it difficult for other art events and artists to link in to it easily and flexibly. Thereby losing a possible thread or flow, and overall strength of an art community.

If we could create a committee or maybe it is already within the Cumbria Network, whereby this group can sit down and acknowledge and write down all of these events, and then look at how they can be connected to work together, thereby developing a stronger sense of artists, community via visual art activities within the Cumbria community. Acknowledging the individual communities, community partnerships and influential supporting community members, we could create a focussed vision and slowly build a strong independent, and individual network of art, community art related events and activities to stand out as what is art in Cumbria and the North. I would welcome the opportunity to participate in such a committee, bringing my knowledge and experience into its conception, continuation and flexibility.

The recent Lakes Artists Society annual show demonstrated to me that Cumbrian art still has a very conservative image that it presents to the majority of the public even though there were a few works in the show of high artistic merit (in my opinion). This is typical of what I have seen in commercial galleries all over Cumbria. Cumbria itself is suggestive of something more exciting, powerful and meaningful because of its interesting history and its very beautiful scenery which attracts people of a wide variety of interests. Wouldn't it be great if we could offer these diverse range of visitors and residents something more varied and engaging without Cumbrian art just becoming a copycat culture of London Britart or the urban international art world.

I think it is about individual artists of distinctive character becoming more visible and about public and private organisations searching them out and putting them forward. The movers and shakers that have power and influence might want to do something about the second rate art that most people tend to see by offering more support to initiatives like the Upfront Gallery's annual show. What about an art fair to attract galleries from further afield to marvel at some uniquely Cumbrian art? The artists are here alright many on the Cumbria Network.

I accept I may well have missed many excellentl exhibitions and events (including the Autumn Gathering unfortunately) in Cumbria so well done to them for keeping the quality up. Our local Arts on High Open Studio event in Alston Moor this week was a good example of variety and quality though probably missed by the vast majority of Cumbria visitors due its location and limited publicity. We hope it will become an annual event and grow in popularity.

Lionel

view Arts on High at www.alstonartists.co.uk

view my art works at www.lionel.playford.net