Florence Arts Centre is set to host a free exhibition that explores the Cumbrian folklore, landscape and history that inspired a local author.
The World Beneath the Fells, opens on July 29 and runs until September 4 at the Egremont venue, and includes artwork by Rob Duncalf and Mollie Ray. It is based on Alex Mullarky’s book The Sky Beneath the Stone.
The Sky Beneath the Stone, is a children’s fantasy novel set in the Lake District that follows 13-year-old Ivy North, an adventurer who must overcome her fear of going outside to save her brother and 10 per cent of author royalties from the sale of every book will be donated to Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
As well as the exhibition, a number of events will also take place.
Falconry and Fairy Kings will take place at Ravenglass Roman Bathhouse on Saturday July 30 and will combine storytelling from Alex with an encounter with birds of prey.
Tea in the Trees, at Dubbs Moss Nature Reserve near Cockermouth, on Saturday August 13, will involve a nature trail featuring creative writing activities and afternoon tea from The Stackyard.
At Florence Arts Centre, free workshops for young children will also take place on August 6, 20 and 27. Children and their families will be able to make their own magical maps, write their own stories and design covers for their work.
Additional events for the whole family include the centre’s Meet the Makers day on August 20, where visitors are able to speak to the exhibition’s contributors and Alex will run a free five-week creative writing workshop for youngsters aged 16 to 25 from July 31.
The exhibition is organised by Heather and Yew Ltd in association with Discover Kelpies, supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
At the final event on Saturday September 3, Between the Pages, Alex will read from her book and do a Q&A, and participants in the creative writing course will share excerpts from their work.
Aspiring writers should email alex.mullarky@gmail.com to express their interest.
