Artists inspired by music and musicians who are also skilled artists will show their work in Lancaster this October.

The Art of Music is the second time that King Street Arts (formerly known as King St Studios) have presented a free exhibition coinciding with Lancaster Music Festival, which will open on 13th October, the day before the Festival, and runs until 25th October 2021.   

“No single art form stands alone and we’ve always wanted to open a dialogue between the different creative arts,” said Roy Smith, who set up King Street Arts with Kath McDonald in 2017.

Almost 50 local, national and international artists will be displaying work ranging from paintings, drawings and sculpture to photography, video, mixed media and printmaking at King Street Studios, the Storey Building and Atticus Bookshop.

Music has inspired many of the artists showing their work at the Art of Music exhibition including Nicola Hepworth who painting, Steel Pan Players, will be on display
Music has inspired many of the artists showing their work at the Art of Music exhibition including Nicola Hepworth who painting, Steel Pan Players, will be on display

And while visitors view the artworks, they can enjoy some music too as, occasionally, musicians will be performing in the galleries. 

These include visual artist Edward Foster, who presents a Renaissance Lute concert on 16th October at 7.30pm, and Celtic harpist, Celia Briar, who plays at a music and drawing event on 17th October from 3.00 – 3.45pm both at King Street Arts.

Spaces are limited at these events so must be booked in advance by emailing: info@kingstreetstudios.art

Budding artists also have the opportunity to hone their skills at free workshops on October 16 led by Kath. 

Draw To The Beat will use the power of music to inspire participants at the Storey Building during two sessions from 2-2.45pm and 3.15-4pm. Materials are provided but places are limited so please book by emailing: info@kingstreetstudios.art

Together with members of Lancaster Music Festival’s board, Roy and Kath had the difficult task of selecting work for the exhibition which has come from professional and semi-professional artists.

The chosen work has been produced either by visual artists inspired or influenced by music or by musicians who are also visual artists.

Lancaster-based artist, James Mackie will be displaying his work at the Art of Music exhibition
Lancaster-based artist, James Mackie will be displaying his work at the Art of Music exhibition
Local artist James Mackie, pictured when he played with Selecter
Local artist James Mackie, pictured when he played with Selecter

Among them is Lancaster’s own James Mackie, a visual artist, who, as a musician, played with The Selecter and Madness during the 1980s, and Manchester-based Rachael Addis, a featured artist in the BBC documentary on the 2020 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

All work is for sale and visitors can vote for their favourite exhibit for the artists to have the chance of winning a cash prize.

King Street Arts are a self-funding organisation run by artists and set up in 2017 by Roy Smith and Kath McDonald. They have two Lancaster city centre gallery exhibition spaces with a programme of exhibitions, artist studio spaces and an associate artist group.

King Street Arts showcase and support local and regional visual artists working within a range of art forms from traditional to contemporary.

• The Art of Music can be viewed from 13th – 25th October 2021 every day except 24th October. Opening times are 12 noon until 6.00pm from 14th – 17th October; 11.00am to 4.00pm 18th- 25th October, excluding 22nd and 23rd October, when it’s open from 11.00am to 5.00pm. Admission is free.

For more information, ring 07743238663 or visit www.kingstreetstudios.art