The 2025/26 intake of artists at Long House Studios in Kentmere will unveil some of their work at an exhibition from this Friday – the first by students at the small independent art school.
The group of 15 studied at Long House under professional artist and tutor Louise Sturgis, who launched the school in 2023 after returning to her native Cumbria.
The artists who hail from across the county will display a variety of the work that they produced during the year-long course that began last October.
Tutor Louise had the final say on which pieces won a place on the wall for the exhibition being held in The Kentmere Institute.
“It can be difficult to judge your own work, so it was agreed that I would make the final decision on which work was selected to show,” said Louise.
“The artists have a wide range of abilities and experience. Some have degrees in an art related topic. Others are keen to return to art that they enjoyed when they were younger, while some are retirees who have taken it up more recently.
“Some of the students have never exhibited before. I think it is fair to say that everyone is very excited and nervous.”
Louise trained at The Ruskin School of Fine Art at Oxford University and then as a postgraduate at the Royal Academy Schools in London.
She has exhibited in Europe and taught at the Royal Drawing School in London and was also taught at secondary schools in Oxford and Yorkshire before returning to Kentmere and establishing the art school.
Following the exhibition opening night at 6pm on Friday, July 3, the artwork is available to view during weekends during July, between 10am and 4pm.
The work is available for sale, priced between £25 to £300.
She added: “I’ve organised many exhibitions over the years, and there is always a bit of work involved in the hanging of the pieces, but this will be a great learning experience for the students.
“Part of creating art is about sharing it, so everyone must think about what to select, titles for their work, framing, and pricing.
“Each artist has a set amount of space on a wall and there will be a wide range of styles on display from abstract, conceptual artwork to much more observational.
“One artist likes drawing small pictures of birds, while another has produced a very large installation. There is a truly eclectic mix on show. I hope it can become an annual event.”
