Sarah Baker, Yolande Baxendale, Hazel Burnham, Tracy Fenton, Zoë Keenan and Jason Simpson, along with the programme team at Housing Percent for Art and the University of Bolton ventured the length and breadth of Cumbria seeking out Europe's largest annual arts invasion. The day began at Windermere train station with a visit to Bryan Eccleshall piece 'Extrapolation', a scrolling information sign displaying random statistical information taken from a survey of 100 people.  

San Francisco artist, Dee Hibbert Jones continued the morning with a talk on her artwork, 'Methods of Escape'. This piece of work focused on the theme that people visit Cumbria as a means of escapism, but what means of escape do Cumbrians have? Large scale drawings of plug holes, toilets, caravans and walking boots were shown in every nook and cranny of the region, from bill boards, the sides of buses, on beer mats and community notice boards. After a quick stop to visit Melissa Bliss's piece 'Under the Waters' and a bite to eat at the Watermill, where Jac Scott had exhibited his neon sign questioning food consumption; we set off for our afternoon bus tour. 

The afternoon led us to the heart of Cumbria, a lay-by overlooking Blencathra and a talk by Irene Sanderson on her piece 'The Mustard Seed Garden Path to Blencathra.' Sanderson's work follows the strict instruction of ancient Chinese landscape painting on silk, in the lovely but temperamental setting of the Cumbrian fells. A short journey later to Carlisle the group visited the immensely powerful piece by Ettie Spencer, 'All Wrapped Up'. This piece investigates the downfall of farming in one family and community in Cumbria; wrapped in black plastic and bailer twine like haystack is a farmhouse in the Eden Valley.

The Fred festival tour gave the group a powerful insight into the world of public art. It enabled these six emerging artists to network with other like minded people and question regional, national and international public artists. The end of the day was like a melting pot for creative ideas for projects and future collaborations.

For further information on the Regenerate programme please contact Rebecca Albrow or Jane Stuart on (t) 01204 903331 or email R.A.Albrow@bolton.ac.uk| or J.Stuart@bolton.ac.uk|