Art exhibition showcases industrial history

The Beacon Museum Marjorie Arnfield's Haig Pit. The oil painting shows a brick factory with a steel structure standing to the right. A person stand in the foreground looking at the building.The Beacon Museum
Haig Pit, by Marjorie Arnfield, is one of the works that will be on display in the exhibition

Art works based on industrial heritage have gone on display at a new exhibition.

Inspired by Industry at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven has been curated to show how the sector has changed across West Cumbria.

Work from local artists depict mining, steel and chemical production and nuclear energy.

Councillor Anne Quilter from Cumberland Council said the exhibition was a "testament to the spirit and creativity" of the region.

She described the result as a "stunning showcase of West Cumbria's industrial heritage that brings stories to life featuring fantastic artwork".

'Vivid portrayals'

The exhibition includes 11 previously unseen works by Percy Kelly.

The museum said the the pieces offer a "rare glimpse into Kelly's vivid portrayals of the region's industrial scenes".

Co-curators will host informal talks where they will offer insights about the artists and the themes explored in the collection.

Art consultant and writer Chris Wadsworth will also be delivering a talk called Percy Kelly - Whitehaven in the swinging sixties, on 1 February.

It will detail Kelly's work and its connection to the the cultural shifts of the 1960s.

The exhibition runs until 30 March in The Beacon Museum's Light and Dark Gallery.

Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].

Related internet links