[A]n amazing collection of mechanical sculptures is arriving in Penrith this week, telling the stories of a host of notable Cumbrian characters.
The Beneath the Beacon Automaton Alphabet will be on display throughout the town from 28 July to 2 September.
Visitors will be able to follow a trail around 13 venues in the town. The EVAN Gallery on Corney Place will host an exhibition of 14 of the Alphabet figures in story boxes, while 12 moving Automata will find homes in shops and other venues across the town.
Each letter of the alphabet goes with a character from Penrith or north Cumbria, some famous and others less well-known. They include the Yellow Earl, Hugh Lowther; Sarah Losh, who designed Wreay Church; Keswick suffragist Catherine Marshall; and pioneer aviator and cross-Channel rower Revd Sydney Swann. The exhibition includes photos of the characters in their home landscapes.
Artist Dawn Hurton who has made the 26 figures explained, ‘Beneath the Beacon brings to life the characters of Penrith and north east Cumbria and tells their stories, as seen from the Beacon across the years.
‘Back in 1787 James Clarke published a survey of Cumberland and Westmorland in which he described the landscape that could be seen from the hill above Penrith, looking out as far as Scotland and the Yorkshire Dales. Over the years all the Beneath the Beacon stories could be seen unfolding from the vantage point above the town.
‘It feels like perfect timing given the recent work to open up the view from the Beacon and the imminent publication of the Penrith Masterplan which is rumoured to allow housing development on parts of the Beacon.
‘I hope the project will inspire local people and visitors to discover more about the town and its surroundings – finding out about the people who shaped and were shaped by this fascinating and beautiful part of the world.’
The trail also includes a heritage quest aimed at families, based on historic documents from the Cumbria Archives. Following the whole trail will be a fun day out but it can be tackled in smaller chunks.
The automata on the trail around the town will have coin-operated mechanisms using 20p pieces with all proceeds going to local charity Hospice at Home. The story boxes in the exhibition at the EVAN Gallery will be in the style of ‘retablos’.
Dawn explained, ‘Retablos were used historically as portable shrines by militaries but over time become appropriated by indigenous cultures as a way of capturing stories of everyday life. I hope that people will think of them as local heirlooms, reminding us of the way we are all shaped by where we live and by those who have been here before us.
‘I’m grateful to the Arts Council, Penrith Town Council and the Penrith Business Improvement District for helping to bring the exhibition to the town.’
