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  • From Xian, China to Upfront, Penrith!

    Original Chinese Paintings by Milly (Mrs Shang Chaofeng) This exhibition of Milly’s work has been brought to us by John Keith, local art collector, who is an Upfront Gallery supporter...

  • In the whale

    Pinocchio

    Featured

    From 23rd July to 3rd September (every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday).

  • Summer Exhibition

    The Upfront Gallery Summer Exhibition includes some of our regular artists and some new artists. There is a selection of work in a variety of media - oil, acrylic, charcoal,...

  • VENICE – DANIEL IBBOTSON

    Featured

    Daniel Ibbotson "This exhibition will tell the story of my inclusion and ongoing adventure at this year’s Venice Biennale". I was asked by European Cultural Centre to exhibit at this...

  • Dub & Grub Ft Nick Manasseh

    (Roots Garden Records, Worldwide FM) Manasseh soundsystem was built in 1985 by a group of friends and finished on the Sunday morning of Notting Hill Carnival. With the aim of...

  • “Points of View”

    Twelve artists express their philosophies, motivations and styles Artists will include Frances Winder, Kay Leech, Rosie Wates, Angie Mitchell, Tina Balmer, Annie Luke Turner, Kate Bentley, Heather Hannah, Liz Tracey,...

  • “My Shadow and Me”

    Hand Shadow Artist - Drew Colby Based in London, Drew is founder of the Finger and Thumb Theatre, specialising in hand shadow puppets and ‘instant puppetry’. Described as ‘a man...

  • “Cinema in Silhouette”

    Hand Shadow Artist - Drew Colby Suitable for Adult & 12 years+ What is this magic of light and dark that so transfixes young and old? It is the ancient...

  • N’famady Kouyate with live band

    N’famady Kouyaté is a young energetic master musician from Guinea (Conakry), who relocated to Cardiff (Wales) in 2019. A talented multi-instrumentalist who wowed audiences across the UK and Ireland during...

  • Ceramic Viewpoints

    Eight ceramicists express their philosophies, motivations and styles. Ceramicists will include Nigel Edmondson, Geoff Cox, John Calver, Sally Toms, Emma Louise Wilson, Lara Clahane, John Davenport and Jan Huntley-Peace.

  • The Snow Queen

    A Magical Winter Fairy Tale - A Perfect Outing for Christmas An original Upfront Puppet Theatre production, involving different puppet types, special scenic effects, projected moving images and a revolving...

  • Landscape Paintings & Reduction Linocuts by Mark A Pearce

    Mark is a professional printmaker and landscape artist living and working in the coastal village of Ravenglass in the beautiful Lake District. His home studio is situated on the shores...

  • Watercolours & Prints by Mary Ann Rogers

    Northumberland-based artist, Mary Ann Rogers, paints vibrant watercolour paintings full of energy, from an in-depth knowledge of her subject matter. Her studio is surrounded by the wild hills of Northumberland,...

  • Featured

    "Riddles, Tunes & Tales from The Tale Coat" A unique collection of tales to treasure – from the nation’s first Laureate for Storytelling, Taffy Thomas, MBE.Storytelling sessions at 11am &...

  • SeedHeart by Indigo Moon Theatre

    Shows at 11am & 2:30pm About SeedHeart, from Indigo Moon Theatre Meet Grey. Our journey begins as Grey finds themself trapped inside a jar. They try to remember how they got...

  • Me And My Friends

    “A sublime fusion that combines pastoral dreaminess with the heat of highlife and Afrobeat sounds” Songlines “Such interesting influences… beautiful” Cerys Matthews Me and My Friends play soulful, poignant music...

  • Jack and the Beanstalk by Clive Chandler

    Jack and the Beanstalk by Clive Chandler Performances at 11am and 2:30pmA traditional tale with original twists! When the family's good fortune is stolen away and a grey cloud hangs...

  • Spring Exhibition

    A Group Exhibition of Paintings, Prints & Mixed Media by Susan Dobson, Christina Mingard, Kate Durdy & Eddie Potts. We also have ceramics by Chris Cox, Syl Macro, Brian Goodall...

  • Ahmed Dickinson & Eduardo Martin

    Eduardo Martin, the Grammy nominated and multiple life-time achievement award-winning Cuban guitarist and composer, joins forces with fellow award-winning, London based Cuban musician, Ahmed Dickinson - a guitarist described as...

  • HANNAH APPLEYARD and STUART SHORT

    Paintings & Sculpture Hannah's paintings are full of colour, life & magic. She wants people to approach her work with an open mind and open gaze and let their imagination...

  • Summer Exhibition

    Featured

    We welcome three new artists to Upfront as part of our 2023 Summer Exhibition.Sheena McCurrach, from Galloway who has become known for her use of vibrant colour and texture, particularly...

  • The Emperor and the Nightingale

    Summer Puppet Show A traditional marionette performance, based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen.  A beautiful & lyrical production with Chinese flute music by Yue Guo. A nightingale sings...

  • New Work by Jamie Oldham

    Jamie grew up in Cumbria and after living near Bath and exhibiting regularly in many London galleries he decided in 2022 to return to Cumbria and live near the Solway coast.He...

  • “Solway Series” – Photographs by David Moyes

    Featured

    6th - 24th September The 20 images in the exhibition, each one mounted and framed, show the moods and movementof the Solway’s waters, particularly around the beaches of Dumfries and...

  • Tamsin Elliott (Solana) & Tarek Elazhary

    Come an enjoy a first time exclusive performance as Tamsin Elliott brings her new music project to Cumbria. "There is a rich thread of collaboration throughout, one which both celebrates...

  • Antique Fair

    We have a series of three Antique Fairs over a three month period. 26th September & 31st October. Whether your taste is jewellery, ceramics, glass, fine art, toys, militaria or...

  • Shared Stories at Upfront

    Ceramic Exhibition by 12 members of Northern Potters - Northwest

  • The Brothers Gillespie

    Described by Folk Radio UK as ‘weaving an especially compelling magic’, and 'showing British acoustic music in its best possible light’, Northumbrian duo The Brothers Gillespie make music that is...

  • Dub N Grub Ft Mungo’s Hi Fi

    Featured

    Very special guests Mungo's Hi Fi DJ set. Long time friends of North Fire Sound. Now a well known name in reggae & dubwise music across the globe. Mungo's have...

  • Brushstrokes – creative thinking in paint and clay

    An expression of Life, Colour and Landscape by Potters and Painters This exhibition has been curated by Cumbrian artist, Frances Winder who is a regular exhibitor at Upfront:“The exhibition is...

  • Hansel & Gretel

    A Magical Winter Fairy Tale - A Perfect Outing for Christmas. Left behind in the forest, can two innocent children survive? Hansel is quite smart, but it takes his sister...

  • Hedera (Quintet)

    Featured

    Hedera is a new Bristol-based quintet of instrumentalists brought together by a desire to lean into the slower and more delicate side of European folk traditions. Their growing repertoire draws...

  • Spring Rising

    A celebration of the arrival of Spring by Green Door Artists Green Door Artists have been motivated by the vitality of Spring. A response to this season’s promise of renewal,...

  • Stanelli’s Super Circus

    A full circus in miniature. An amazing experience not to be missed, suitable for all ages. This unique collection of trick circus marionettes was saved for the nation by a...

  • Dub N Grub presents Iration Steppas

    Featured

    Iration Steppas have played all over the world from Mexico to New York, Yorkshire to Barcelona. What an pleasure to bring one of the most respected sound man and music...

  • The Mystery of the Blue Moon Saloon

    SHOW CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS AND WITHDRAWAL OF A CAST MEMBER. Show performed by Cumbrian theatre company "Ragged Edge Productions. Devised and Performed by Stefan Escreet, Peter Macqueen and Claire...

  • Rory McLeod

    It is a real pleasure to bring Rory McLeod back to Upfront Arts Venue as he was the first person to ever perform in the newly built arts venue many...

  • Tony McManus & Julia Toaspern

    This concert has moved to the new date of 30th June as Upfront totally flooded, due to the extreme weather conditions on 22nd May. We have been working non stop...

  • Jack and the Beanstalk

    Featured

    A marionette performance based on the traditional fairy tale.Meet Daisy the cow, the giant, the fiddle playing leprechaun with magic beans and the hen that lays golden eggs.Jack is brave,...

  • Mishra (World Folk Music)

    Mishra are a global folk band from the UK gathering international recognition, who draw together roots in UK traditional music with continent-spanning musical textures into a breathtaking 5 piece performance....

  • Dub N Grub presents Omega Nebula (Live)

    Featured

    Usual activity at Dub N Grub - food served from 6:30pm Music played on the North Fire Sound - Reggae sound system for the full audio experience This time we...

  • Sradag – Spark

    Featured

    A multimedia group of Scottish artists . An exploration of environment, landscape and feelings in a variety of different mediums. All work being a result of the creative spark whether...

  • The Madalitso Band (Malawi)

    'Madalitso band are a two man musical army from Malawi. Described as 'Uplifting and Vibrant' by the BBC, they get crowds beaming with wonder and on their feet dancing every...

  • Winter Exhibition – Jamie Oldham

    Featured

    Inspired by the Power and Beauty of Nature Jamie grew up in Cumbria under the Howgill Fells, has a degree in fine art from Bath and is an active member...

  • Dub N Grub presents Solo Banton

    Featured

    Dub N Grub is proud to welcome one of the UK's top mic men, vocalist & host to a special intimate session at Upfront all played on the full North...

  • Raz & Afla

    Featured

    Raz Olsher & Afla Sackey: a bond that fuels a dynamic and effortless musical relationship. Their music represents a harmonious union of African influences with electronic music, full of soul,...

  • Aladdin and His Amazing Lamp

    Featured

    We will hold you spellbound as we tell you a tale based on one of the 101 Arabian Night Stories, told by Scheherazade to her husband, the Sultan. Meet the...

  • Christmas Wreath Making Workshop

    Work with the amazing Bloomhead from the North East. Bloomhead is an independent Eco Floral Designer, Wedding Florist, and creator of Seasonal Wreaths & Bouquets. This is a great opportunity...

  • Kris Drever & Chris Stout

    Featured

    Kris Drever and Chris Stout are icons of the Scottish roots culture and two of the most powerful contemporary voices to sing out of it in the last quarter century....

  • Cumbria Printmakers – Group Exhibition

    We are a cooperative of individual artists, connected by our love of printmaking in all its forms. As champions of printmaking, we inspire and advocate through exhibitions, events and workshops,...

  • Guy Davis

    Featured

    ‘Ambassador of the Blues’ Guy Davis is a two time, back-to-back Grammy nominee, a recipient of the Blues Foundation's, "Keeping the Blues Alive Award" in Theatre, has over two dozen...

  • Spring / Summer Mixed Exhibition

    Featured

    An exhibition of work by artists who exhibit regularly at Upfront and some who are new to Upfront - Geoffrey Smith, John Sibson, Mark A Pearce, Kate Durdy, Eddie Potts,...

  • “All at Sea” – Green Door Artists

    Featured

    A Celebration of 30 Years Green Door are an artists' co-operative of over 100 members, living in the South Lakeland area and working across all art forms. The exhibition will...

  • The Emperor and the Nightingale

    Featured

    A traditional marionette performance, based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen. A beautiful & lyrical production with Chinese flute music by Yue Guo. A nightingale sings and charms the...

  • Late Summer / Autumn Exhibition

    A mixed exhibition featuring work by a young, local Fine Art Graduate and work by three other Cumbrian artists - Jamie Oldham, John Sibson & Geoffrey Smith. Georgia Dalzell has just graduated...

  • Nancy’s Orange + The Butterfly Collector

    IN THIS UNIQUE double-bill, two actor-writers—GRACE KIRKBY & PETER MACQUEEN perform their own one-person shows, each directed by the other. Grace Kirby as a put-upon but compassionate NHS delivery driver, carrying...

  • Kris Drever (solo) support from Polly Paulusma

    Kris Drever is among Scotland’s most acclaimed and distinctive contemporary musicians, celebrated for his warm voice, virtuosically expressive guitar playing and imaginative and evocative songwriting. Raised in the Orkney Islands,...

  • Christmas Exhibition

    Our guest artists for Christmas are Susan Glassford and ceramicist Gordon Cooke. Our current resident 2025 are artists John Sibson, Jamie Oldham, Geoffrey Smith & Mark A Pearce and ceramicists...

  • PUSS IN BOOTS

    This year’s Christmas production at Upfront Puppet Theatre is a magical retelling of the classic French fairy tale: “Puss in Boots.” This faithful adaptation brings the beloved story to life...

  • The Breath

    Featured

    The Breath is Manchester-based guitarist Stuart McCallum and singer/flautist Ríoghnach Connolly. They met on the city’s gig circuit in the late noughties. An unlikely pairing though it was, he an...

  • Kathryn Tickell & Amy Thatcher

    Featured

    The intuitive musical interplay between Kathryn and Amy is born out of a long-standing creative friendship. Kathryn's pipes marry beautifully with Amy's exquisite accordion playing. A cascade of jigs, reels,...

  • Dub N Grub presents Soothsayers & North Fire Sound

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    The secret of Soothsayers’ longevity is down to the band’s evolution,keeping them relevant in changing times .The band have produced 11 top quality studio albums showcasing song writing that exudes...

  • Oxford Concert Party

    Featured

    Take 300 years of music from around the world, turn it upside down, infuse it with humour, energy, passion and pathos - and you have the recipe with which the...

  • Stanelli’s Super Circus

    Featured

    A full circus in miniature. An amazing experience not to be missed, suitable for all ages. This unique collection of trick circus marionettes was saved for the nation by a...

  • Jack Broadbent

    Featured

    In 2026, Jack Broadbent hits the road in support of Orchids, a deeply personal new album recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. The record, which earned early acclaim and led...