Cumbria Sculptors planning outdoor sculpture trail at Rydal Hall

Cumbrian Sculptors hope to hold the outdoor trail, which will showcase dozens of pieces from talented sculptors from across the county, in the grounds of Rydal Hall beginning from May 1.

The event was first held in 2020 at Halecat House in Witherslack, and this year organisers are hoping for even more contributors.

Roger Bell from Cumbria Sculptors said: "We hope to get fifteen, maybe twenty sculptors submitting two to three pieces each.

"They will range from ceramics, cast stone, metal and wood.

"Last year there were some realistic carvings and some really abstract pieces.

"We hope for a big variety of work."

The event attracted good numbers last year despite Covid-19 delaying its opening and resulted in many of the sculptures being purchased by visitors.

Mr Bell hopes the trail can become an annual fixture.

“It worked very well last year considering," he said.

“It was due to run from, as it will this year, May to September but the lockdown meant we opened in July.”

The beautiful grounds of Rydal Hall have been, and continue to be, a permanent home to a number of famous sculptors’ work, such as Josefina de Vasconcellos, who spent many years living in Cumbria.

Her piece ‘Escape to Light’ was displayed at the hall before being moved to Haverigg.

Another work, ‘Raphael’ by Shawn Williamson, a tutee of Vasconcellos, stands in memorial to his tutor where her piece once sat.

“It’s a beautiful display area and it’s already got a couple of permanent sculptures already,” said Mr Bell.

So far this year's line-up includes Seamus Hanna, from Kendal, who takes inspiration for his abstract works from natural and man-made structures, as well as Celtic references.

Also contributing is Judith Nicol, from Ambleside, a contemporary sculptor who creates mosaic sculptures designed for her garden.

Ms Nicol uses a mixture of upcycled china, traditional mosaic materials and mirror fragments.

Skelwith Fold sculptor, Gordon Baddeley, will also be entering one of his wood sculptures to the trail.

For more information and updates on the trail visit Cumbrian Sculptor’s website at www.cumbriasculptors.com