Previous Exhibitions at Upfront Gallery
19/01/2010 - 28/02/2010
"9th Upfront Cumbrian Artists Open Exhibition"
2D Work by Cumbrian artists, selected by an independent panel of judges. This annual prestigious exhibition is now in it's 9th year and showcases the wealth of artistic talent within the county.
Please will artists interested in entering the exhibition email for details and an application form. Alternatively you can download our application form.
Exhibitors: Cumbrian Artists
17/11/2009 - 31/12/2009
"Framing the View"
Heather Blanchard is a regular exhibitor at Upfront. She has a solo show every two years and the Gallery usually has examples of her work in their permanent exhibition area.
"Framing the View" is an exhibition of Heather's new body of work. The majority of the paintings are in oils, although she has also been experimenting with limited edition screen prints.
Exhibitors: Heather Blanchard
13/10/2009 - 15/11/2009
"Uplands and Downlands"
This is the 5th solo exhibition at Upfront by Bob Armstrong. Since his last exhibiton two years ago, Bob has had generous coverage in the "Artist" and "Artist and Illustrators" magazines.
Exhibitors: Bob Armstrong
08/09/2009 - 11/10/2009
Recent Paintings by Chris McLoughlin
First solo exhibition at Upfront by contemporary British landscape artist,Chris McLoughlin.
Exhibitors: Chris McLoughlin
28/07/2009 - 06/09/2009
Godfrey Tonks: An Alternative View
Latest collection of landscape paintings. Godfrey is well known for his bold use of colour which is refreshing and up-lifting. He has been a professional artist for many years and is constantly inspired by the changing views of the landscapes of Cumbria, Italy and Spain.
Exhibitors: Godfrey Tonks
23/06/2009 - 26/07/2009
"Land and Sky:Paintings from the Hudson River Valley and Cumbria
Rebecca Allan has a studio in New York City. She has spent the last few years making paintings based on the watershed and coastal landscapes of the Pacific Northwest and the Atlantic Northeast. She is deeply concerned about the preservation of the environment. Her process of painting begins in and with nature - "it is a combination of many visual, physical and emotional experiences that occur while I am working on site, and later working in the studio".
As well has having a long standing interest in landscape, Rebecca is also an accomplished botanical illustrator. She is currently the Director of Public Programmes at The Bard Graduate Centre for Studies in Decorative Art, Design and Culture in New York.
Exhibitors: Rebecca Allan
20/05/2009 - 21/06/2009
"From Life: Scottish Contemporary Painting"
Contemporary art does not need to be Conceptual to be intelligent or relevant to our everyday life. This latest generation of "Glasgow Boys" and Girls are painters of vivid imagination, subtle emotions, compelled to scrutinise every element of contemporary life.
All of these artists are critically and commercially successful, recognised with international awards, and their work resides in private and public collections across Scotland, the UK and the world, from South Africa to the USA. Unlike many of their generation, oil painting remains the way in which they relate to contemporary life, and this show demonstrates the continued vibrancy of that medium. Upfront is grateful to The Collins Gallery, Glasgow and to their Curator, Laura Hamilton, for making it possible to show this exhibition in Cumbria.
22/04/2009 - 20/05/2009
"Impressions of Nepal"
The artists spent 3 weeks in Nepal, spending time in the cultural ancient city of Bhaktapur and the surrounding villages and temples (Hindu & Buddhist) where they painted & collected information for their work.
The group travelled out to Pokhara to start their trek in the Himalayas. They followed a section of the Annapurna Circuit, staying in tea houses along the way. The mountain scenery was fantastic and inspirational. Since their visit the artists have been busy working towards this exhibition which promises to be a fascinating culmination of their three weeks experiences in Nepal.
Exhibitors: Artist's Visit to Nepal
07/04/2009 - 19/05/2009
"Mood & Light"
Janet Kenyon is from Lancashire and recently moved to live in Carlisle. She was a finalist in our "Cumbrian Open Exhibition".
Janet has been a finalist in many national art competitions such as the Singer & Friedlander Competition, the Daily Mail "Not the Turner Prize" Competition", the Royal Society of Women Artists and "The Royal Institute of Watercolour". She is currently exhibiting at the Royal Society of Watercolours at the Mall Galleries in London.
Exhibitors: Janet Kenyon
03/03/2009 - 05/04/2009
"Moving On"
E Squared are returning to Upfront for their fourth exhibiton.
Over the years the 10 exhibiting members of E Squared have developed in different directions which has enabled them to create exhibitions that are always varied and intersting.
Exhibitors: E Squared
03/03/2009 - 05/04/2009
"Floating World"
A group of paintings, created and inspired by oriental painting styles.
20/01/2009 - 01/03/2009
"Upfront Cumbrian Artists Open"
This will be the 8th Upfront Open Exhibiton. It is a selected exhibition of 2D work by Cumbrian artists. The work is selected by an independent panel of judges. Interested Cumbrian artists please email or call at the Gallery for information and an entry form.
The Upfront "Open" has become a very popular and successful exhibiton. The standard of entries is always high & the show is selected anonymously so there is a good mix of work, by both professional and non-professional artists. The final exhibiton is usually selected down to about 150 pieces of work. There are prizes awarded in various categories as well as 1st, 2nd & 3rd prizes. Visitors to the Gallery are also asked to vote for their "favourite" and a prize is given to the artist whose painting receives the most votes.
Exhibitors: Cumbrian Artists
18/11/2008 - 31/12/2008
"A Long Way Down The Line"
A highlight of the show will be the "home premiere" of "City of Carlisle at Upperby" - as perfect an example of a Cumbrian railway image as you can imagine.
Many people find railways a fascinating subject and Stephen has acheived his reputation partly because he uses a variety of approaches to the subject. There are railways in landscape, railways as social history, realistic, impressionist and even Expressionist paintings to be seen in the exhibiton - something to interest everyone, not just "train buffs"!!
Exhibitors: Stephen Warnes
14/10/2008 - 16/11/2008
"The Three Brushketeers"
Joint exhibition by three local artists who are regular exhibitors in the "Upfront Cumbrian Artists Open Exhibition". This will be their first solo show at the Gallery.
02/09/2008 - 31/10/2008
"Ivver Sen"
"Ivver Sen" is Cumbrian dialect for "ever since". This is an exhibition of over fifty original pastels which are all in the new book "Ivver Sen" that is to be launched at Upfront Gallery.
The book "Ivver Sen" is written by Keith Richardson with pictures by Keith Bowen. It is the culmination of five years work in and amongst the rural and farming folk of Cumbria. The exhibition and book promises to be one of the highlights of the Cumbrian cultural calendar.
Exhibitors: Keith Bowen
01/09/2008 - 12/10/2008
"New Paintings from the Country"
Latest collection of watercolours and limited edition prints by North East artist, Mary Ann Rogers. This will be Mary Ann's third solo exhibition at Upfront.
Exhibitors: Mary Ann Rogers
21/07/2008 - 31/08/2008
"Out in the Open"
New collection of work inspired by locations in the North of England. The title refers both to Clare's preferred method of working and also to the revealing of deserted, forgotten or abandoned spaces.
Clare's new collection of work incorporates Industrial, Seascapes and Landscapes. The landscape, whether it is coastal, rural, urban or industrial, is a constant source of inspiration to Clare. The exhibition features work based on the windswept beaches of the Northumberland coast as well as images of a less conventional beauty - the landscape of the traditional Tyneside industries of mining and shipbuilding.
Exhibitors: Clare Money
16/06/2008 - 20/07/2008
"The Art of Printmaking"
An exhibition of work by selected artist printmakers from within and outside Cumbria.
The exhibition will include different techniques of printmaking and an explanation of the processes involved.
13/05/2008 - 15/06/2008
"Distant Perspectives"
This will be Lynda's fourth solo exhibition at Upfront. "Distant Perspectives" is about her travels to Skye and Venice.
Mixed media collage, incorporating photographs, textured papers, scrim and printing using emulsion paint, fabrics and papers trapped with wax and completed with a mixture of acrylic and emulsion paint.
Exhibitors: Lynda Roberts
07/04/2008 - 11/05/2008
"Cumbria Life Illustrations plus Recent Work" by Trevor Green
An exhibition of the original watercolour illustrations by Trevor Green that have appeared in "Cumbria Life" magazine.
Trevor has been working as a full time painter, illustrator and cartoonist since 1991. Locally he is well known for his illustrations in "Cumbria Life" magazine. His illustrations and cartoons have been published in numerous magazines and newspapers. His oils, acrylics, watercolours and drawings can be found in private and corporate collections in the UK and abroad.
04/03/2008 - 06/04/2008
Alive & Stitching
Second exhibition at Upfront by a group of six profressional artists who have been exhibting their work together since 2001. From large, bold wall hangings to small intricately worked pieces, their eclectic mix of style, technique and approach results in a dynamic and exciting exhibition of textile art.
"Alive & Stitching" are committed to raising the profile of textile art. They exhibit nationwide and hold workshops on a regular basis. Their work can be found in homes, museums and hospitals around the country.
Exhibitors: Lynne Garbutt, Ann Parkin, Diane Gilder, Peggy Fearne, Anne Menary, Jo Owen
21/01/2008 - 02/03/2008
"7th Upfront Cumbrian Artists Open Exhibition
Entries welcome from Cumbrian Artists. Please request an application form.
Annual exhibition of 2D work by Cumbrian artists. Work submitted is selected by a panel of judges and prizes are awarded for various categories.
29/09/2007 - 04/11/2007
"Objects & Intervals: an Installation"
Third exhibition by London artist, Philip O'Reilly. Another opportunity to be amazed by his skill and creative use of materials. Work will include techniques in felt making, casting, digital imagery, graphic media etc.
The artwork is conceived as an installation whereby the distinction between one group of parts and another are deliberately fused in the arrangement. The materials also change identity and in a subtle way, the strategy of applied colour changes with the forms and format. Part of the exhibition is also "selected works" - "art products". Works that are made for the commercial fun of it. Textiles and paintings, from another time "recycled" via the computer have re-emerged as new subject matter with a new identity and purpose.
Exhibitors: Philip O'Reilly