An application has been submitted to Cumberland Council to change the use of a workshop to an arts gallery, at the site of Lowood Kennels, north east of Armathwaite.
In a supporting statement, founders Jeremy and Meredith Latimer say: “Lowood arts 2001 was the vision of Jeremy and Meridith Latimer.
“Lowood was a very successful arts organisation for almost a decade.”
They add that: “Due to family life commitments we had to stop the gallery in 2009.”
The statement sets out the scale of what the gallery achieved during that period, saying it was ‘winning 35 national awards and selling out four shows during that time.’
It also describes the role it played for creatives locally and beyond, adding: “Lowood arts was a venue for artists based within the Cumbrian and Borders region to show their work to a knowledgeable audience.
“Lowood arts was also a venue for artists outside our region to create and exhibit within a rural context.”
The document claims the impact of those exhibitions has travelled far beyond Cumbria, stating: “Work created or exhibited at Lowood is now in collections world wide.”
It also says: “Some of the artists have gone on to build world wide careers.”
A list of artists is included, spanning multiple disciplines.
Lowood arts is also described as influential in pioneering competition formats, including ‘the first environmental art open competition’ and a ‘totally unique edible art competition’.
Looking ahead, the applicants say a new chapter is planned, and that ‘Lowood arts 2026 will be more of the same’.
They add: “At core, this will be a family business.”
Callum Latimer and Eden Latimer are named as joining the management structure, with the statement noting Callum ‘has been working at Tullie museum, Carlisle, for the past 6 years’ and will be ‘fundamental in curating the exhibitions and developing artistic vision going forward.’
An access note says Lowood arts will share access with Lowood Kennels, as it did during the project’s previous incarnation.