Three art projects have been commissioned telling stories of living by the fells.

The Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme, led by the North Pennines AONB Partnership and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, commissioned the projects which will be delivered from May to autumn 2022.

The first project is called 'Lithophones in the Landscape’, a collaboration between Stephen Burke and Bluejam Arts, which involves children across Castle Carrock and Armathwaite exploring and performing the ‘musical geologies’ where they live.

News and Star: Stephen Burke (right) and Jilly Jarman (left, from Bluejam Arts)Stephen Burke (right) and Jilly Jarman (left, from Bluejam Arts)

The majority of the five thousand plus Fellfoot Forward inhabitants live in the villages scattered around the scheme area. Each village’s unique social story spans centuries and millennia. The Fellfoot Forward scheme aims to enhance engagement between village communities, connecting residents across boundary lines, and sharing the stories, hopes, and fears of residents about change and constancy in village life.

Rocks and stones will serve as instruments and clues, inspiring deeper understanding of their landscape.

The second is called ‘Crossing Thresholds’, created by Dominic Smith, which will take an ‘out in the field approach’ and support participants to create visual, written, and sonic narratives that playfully explore their landscape and how it has changed through time.

News and Star: Dominic SmithDominic Smith

Dominic will work with communities across the northern part of the Fellfoot Forward scheme area, primarily Hallbankgate.

The third is ‘Our Dark Hearts’, by The Curious School - based in Penrith, which will explore the area’s night sky through time.

News and Star: Photo chosen to represent The Curious SchoolPhoto chosen to represent The Curious School

Working with a range of multi-generational communities and experts, they will inspire residents with experiences of their landscape when the sun is down.

READ MORE: Art exhibition in The Fratry, Carlisle explores a range of topics