Every year the society organises an exhibition to display the work of young artists in Cumbria. The students are usually in their final two years of school and studying Art at A Level. They present work on a wide range of themes, some of which are designated by the particular examination board while others may be ideas of their own choice.

This year the exhibition is at the Rheged Centre, Penrith, CA11 0DQ.  It opened on 10th July 2025 when Sarah Dunning, Chair of the Westmorland Family business, judged the exhibits.  The exhibition will then run until 9th September 2025, open daily from 9.30am-5.00pm, and can be found along the free public access alleyways from the ground floor around the shops.

The schools taking part this year are Appleby Grammar School, Austin Friars School, James Rennie School, Keswick School and Queen Elizabeth Grammar School.

1st Prize, awarded to Willow Wood, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith, for “Self Portrait”

2nd Prize, awarded to Fern Roberts, Austin Friars School Carlisle, for “Fruit Salad”

3rd Prize, awarded to Laura Reed, Appleby Grammar School, for “Decay”

We do encourage you to visit the exhibition and so support our artists of the future. 

And thanks to The Arts Society Cumbria Committee Members Fiona Campbell and Stuart McEllhinney for all their efforts in bringing it to fruition this year.