The Seven Stories: Exhibition

Seven Stories Exhibition: Carlisle Library

Since January Prism Arts's artists, including myself, have been working in schools and with various community groups on a big project called 'The Seven Stories.' The project is a collaboration between Prism Arts and Cumbria Library Service and stems from a project we ran a couple of years ago.

Installing the work on the hanging grid

Last week we were in Carlisle Library installing the exhibition from their hanging grid. It was a challenging and tiring day but well worth it as the finished exhibition looks great. Later in the week we had an official opening ceremony attended by various dignitaries and, most importantly, many of the participants. Seeing how pleased the participants were with the finished work made all the hours of preparation and sewing worth while!

Flags by St. Bede's students

Flags by St. Bede's students

Flags by St. Bede's students

For this project I worked with a Year 4 class at St. Bede's Primary School and an art group at Carleton Day Centre. I really enjoyed working with both groups and the work they produced is fantastic. I've also really enjoyed seeing the work from the other groups. I particularly like the exploding seed packets made by the group of stroke survivors and the birds and bird cage made by the Creative Conversations group.

The Book of Carlisle by Carleton Day Centre art group

The Book of Carlisle by Carleton Day Centre art group

The school children I worked with produced a series of flags inspired by a 700 year old book held in Carlisle Library. The flags weave in and out of the other exhibits, representing the idea of journeys and the twists of a tale and tying all the pieces together.

Looking up from the ground floor

Looking up from the ground floor

The group from Carleton originally wanted to make a time capsule but as we worked their ideas evolved and we created 'The Book of Carlisle.' This is a large book with each page exploring something the group members liked about Carlisle, including the dragon from the city arms, socialising with friends and the wildlife of the area.

Seen from the balcony

Seen from the balcony

The work will be hanging in the library until March at which point more work, made in response to the exhibition, will be on show. Like all good stories there's always a little bit more to come...