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.

Our 2026 exhibition is currently being held at the Rheged Centre, Penrith, CA11 0DQ, opened on Tuesday 21st July after judging of the exhibits by Sarah Dunning, Chair of Westmorland Family, and is running until 6th September. We have even more local Cumbrian schools involved this year - Appleby Grammar School, Austin Friars Independent School and James Rennie School in Carlisle, Keswick School, Queen Elizabeth Grammar School and Ullswater Community College in Penrith, Nelson Thomlinson School in Wigton, and Windermere School. We are most grateful to Rheged Centre and the Westmorland Family for their help and support.

Judging in progress 2026, Sarah Dunning of The Westmorland Family

“Abstract Memory”

2026 1st Prize, awarded to Laura Per,

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School

“How Long is it Going to Take?”

2026 2nd Prize, awarded to Cecily Shaw,

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School

Special mention also goes to the collaborative work by pupils from James Rennie School - Casey, Ella, Ethan, Lee James, Leo and Max for their collage entitled “Otter”, made from recycled materials.

“Silence”

2026 3rd Prize, awarded to Aarupi Javeria,

Windermere School

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.