THE story of LS Lowry and his connections with the area and local artists will go on show at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven later this week.

The LS Lowry in Cumberland exhibition will be taking place in the museum’s Light and Dark Gallery between January 20 and April 14.

The museum will be exhibiting artworks loaned from The Lowry in Salford, along with local artists that Lowry had connections with, including Geoffrey Bennett loans from private collectors, and a Percy Kelly artwork from the Copeland Collection.

Tullie House in Carlisle is also lending some artwork by Sheila Fell from their collection as part of the exhibition.

During research for the exhibition, locals have been sharing their stories of meeting Lowry, Geoffrey Bennett, Sheila Fell and Percy Kelly, which the museum will incorporate into the exhibition.

In addition to the original artworks on display, The Beacon has worked with The Lowry to make a range of Lowry works accessible in a digital format.

LS Lowry visited Cumbria on numerous occasions, often staying with his friend, the collector Geoffrey Bennett.

Mr Bennett was ordained into the Anglican Church in 1962, after which Lowry would address him as the ‘Reverend Gentleman’, and when the artist died in 1976 Mr Bennett conducted Lowry’s funeral service.

News and Star: Self portrait of LS LowrySelf portrait of LS Lowry (Image: Lowry Collection, Salford)

As part of the exhibition, local schools will be offered the opportunity to display children’s artwork alongside the works of Lowry and other artists.

The educational workshops with a professional artist will allow the children to explore the work of LS Lowry in school and at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven.

The practical workshops are themed around Lowry’s industrial scenes, local landscapes of West Cumbria and his portraits; the pupils will explore perspective, proportions and creative responses. 

Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: “Lowry who is synonymous with Manchester, industrial scenes and matchstick figures, also has strong connections to the Cumberland area.

"The Beacon Museum exhibition will bring these connections to life."

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There will be free guided tours for school groups around Cleator Moor of the local buildings painted by LS Lowry throughout the duration of the exhibition. Please contact alan.gillon@cumberland.gov.uk for further details.

Guided tours of the exhibition, and lead walks around Cleator Moor town centre, highlighting its connections with Lowry and his art will also be featured as part of the exhibition. The Beacon’s website has further details.​