At Brewery Arts, we aim to inspire people of all ages by opening doors to the arts and making creativity accessible to all — and 2025 was no exception. As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to look back at just a few of the highlights that made it so special, from dance performances on stage to crafting in Kendal town centre. We look forward to welcoming both familiar and new faces into our community as we head into another year filled with even more creativity.
This Years Highlights
Community Dance Platform
This year’s Community Dance Platform was a joyful celebration of creativity, movement, and togetherness. Fifty-five performers, from just 9 months old to 89 years young, stepped onto the stage, each bringing their own story and creating a shared sense of belonging. Each piece reflected imagination, expression, and community spirit. The programme featured six live group performances from our very own Stage Stars, Mature Movers, Brewery Youth Dance Groups. As well as a screening of ‘Moving With…’, a short film by Lucy Nicholson and a premiere of ‘Mother, Daughter, Dancer’ by HerKindled – a new collective of professional dance artists and their families exploring the nuances of intergenerational relationships.
Limitless Platform
We invited you to join us for our very first Limitless Platform — a celebration of older people in performance-based art and boundless creativity. Brewery Arts’ own Mature Movers and Act Your Age welcomed groups from across the region, including Burneside’s Sway with Me, Prime Time from The Dukes in Lancaster, and ExEl Theatre Company connected to the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.
The event was filled with connection and momentum—from expertly led workshops to the buzz of pre-show rehearsals. The day culminated in a final showcase that highlighted both the quality of performance and the joy that creative engagement brings at every stage of life.
‘Limitless Platform gave people the chances to participate, to be creative, to achieve, to have fun and to belong. No barriers – just so wonderfully inclusive and an opportunity to perform on a real stage’ – Event Volunteer
Torchlight
Brewery Arts hosted a series of workshops led by local artist Amy Williams, where individuals and families gathered to design, sculpt and make glowing autumnal lanterns — think orange leaves, mushrooms, hedgehogs, foxes, and more. These were brought to life during the evening procession by the energy of our Brewery Youth Dance classes and Stage Stars through dance and movement inspired by autumn as part of this year’s Seasons theme.
Our Creative Learning team shared free craft activities with families at the daytime street festival, hosted at our Brewery Arts stall in Kendal town centre. We loved meeting so many of you and being swept up in the joyful atmosphere of this much-loved community celebration.
Brewery Arts Open 2025
Our annual open exhibition once again showcased the breadth of local artistic talent from across Cumbria. With our busiest private view to date, the gallery was filled with conversation and a deep appreciation for the work of selected artists from our community. The strength of engagement was reflected in the 662 public votes cast for the Public Choice Award, which was awarded to Michael McGregor. The Judges’ Choice Award went to Stuart Irving, whose bold, large-scale painting style left a lasting impression. We look forward to welcoming them back next spring for a solo exhibition.
‘Fantastic Exhibition! Proud to be part of a fantastic art community’ – Brewery Arts Visitor
Youth Artist Open 2025
2025 brought new opportunities for young, budding artists with our first Young Artist Open exhibition. We invited local artists aged 4–18 to submit artwork under the theme Your Kendal, resulting in a vibrant showcase inspired by people, favourite places, buildings, beautiful natural spaces, fond memories, and reimagined visions of the town. Kendal College student Darcy Beecham won the Brewery Arts Recognition Award, gaining the opportunity to have their work featured in the exhibition. We also welcomed young creatives from Ghyllside Primary School to take part in an imaginative, hands-on workshop, creating artwork inspired by Kendal to be displayed as part of the exhibition.
Wrapping up 2025
To round off a busy year of our regular workshops and courses, our visual arts programme took on a festive feel with a range of seasonal social workshops. These included lino-cut Christmas cards, festive weaving, and fused glass decorations. We reimagined our venue as a family-friendly trotter trail, guiding visitors around an interactive installation that brings the story of this year’s Christmas show, The Three Little Pigs, to life.
Our young artists have been dreaming big this term, creating artwork for our Annual Youth Arts Exhibition, ‘Once Upon a Time….’. Bringing joyous storytelling and wonder into the new year, the exhibition showcases imaginative worlds and original tales from our very own Brewery Youth Arts Courses; Mini Makers, Art Explorers, Artseen Tuesday, Artseen Wednesday, Clay Club and Makers Club with participants ranging from 0-16 years of age.
Stepping Into the New Year
There’s plenty to look forward to as we move into 2026. Local artist Lela Harris’ residency will carry us into the new year, welcoming audiences to explore her story and practice through family and adult workshops, a solo exhibition, and a Q&A session.
We’ll also be celebrating the return of spring with seasonal workshops exploring the landscape through stained glass, print, mosaic, line hatching, watercolour, and stone carving.
In 2026, we will mark 20 years of the Brewery Arts School’s Dance Platform. Returning for another fantastic event celebrating this year’s pupils and teachers in creative dance and performance, we’ll also be reflecting on two decades of creativity, performance, and local school involvement.
And so much more — so stay tuned and get involved!
Check out our new season of Creative Learning here.
