The latest exhibition at the RSPB Geltsdale Gallery is a street art-inspired show about birds created by young people’s club, Carlisle Youth Zone.
Spreading our Wings, which runs from 6 to 28 October, features a series of bird identification boards with a contemporary urban twist and were made by young people attending the Carlisle Youth Zone’s summer holiday scheme.
In preparation for the exhibition, the young people – aged between 7 and 18 – spent time at RSPB Geltsdale where they learnt about the wildlife that makes its home on the nature reserve.
The project was led by artist Mark Gibbs whose own exhibition, Curlew Lament, has been showing at the Geltsdale Gallery.
Mark Gibbs says: “It has been a great project; not only have the young people learnt about birds and nature, but we’ve been talking about their aspirations for the future. We’ve been asking, what do you need to fly? What clips your wings?”
Spreading our Wings is part of Carlisle Youth Zone’s new Arts programme, which has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Carlisle Living Awards 2018 Best Art Initiative.
Mark continues: “Our mission at Carlisle Youth Zone is to provide a safe and fun environment where the potential of every young person is developed and fulfilled. Our new arts programme, which includes Spreading our Wings, is an important addition to the club’s activities; not only are arts fun, but they provide a quiet place to start a conversation about dreams and aspirations.”
Spreading our Wings is the latest show in Impressions of the Wild, a series of six exhibitions at RSPB Geltsdale Gallery by local artists, celebrating the mysteries and wonders of the natural world.
The RSPB Geltsdale Gallery is open daily 9am to 5pm.
For more information on events and wildlife spectacles at Geltsdale visit www.rspb.org.uk/geltsdale.
