A SPECIAL INVITATION FOR YOU.
Date Posted: 1st April 2019
You are invited to the opening of a Percy Kelly celebration event
at The Derwent Pencil Museum in Keswick
on Saturday 27th April
from 1pm – 5 pm.
There may be humbugs!
As you all probably know, I recently made a children's interactive book about Percy Kelly’s childhood in Workington. Have a Humbug was written in response to the many children who visited and enjoyed the Kelly retrospective exhibition and I’ve been visiting schools in the area encouraging children to draw ever since. In every class there has been at least one child who has said “I can’t draw!” EVERYBODY CAN DRAW. As long as they can hold a pencil and make a mark they can draw. People have been drawing for thousands and thousands of years. It is a natural instinct. It is important for our well-being.
When Derwent Pencil Museum in Keswick saw the pre-print proof of the book a few months ago, they added a pencil pack to every copy and set aside the whole month of May to focus on Percy. I was delighted. It isn't possible to show the originals of Kelly’s beautiful letters and decorated envelopes which are privately owned so facsimiles have been made for display in the small gallery inside the museum. These will form a basis for inspiration to visiting groups from local schools, art societies, families and individuals. If you are part of an organisation, an art society or are involved with schools get in touch and explore the possibilities. 017687 73626 derwent.pencils@acco.com
I will be happy to come in and lead sessions for groups whenever possible. Keep your eye on the web site www.percykelly.co.uk and the newsletter for details of events.
Cumberland Pencils are known throughout the world. The museum which was badly flooded in 2015 has been totally rebuilt. New products are constantly being developed which you can see and try. During the whole of the month of May, there will be talks, videos and demonstrations based on the work of Percy Kelly with opportunities during your visit to use some of these exciting new Derwent products. In addition there is a fascinating display of the history of the evolution of the pencil from its beginnings with the discovery of graphite in the Borrowdale Valley c 1500 to its use in espionage in times of war. Many children, now grown up with children of their own, fondly remember the giant pencil in the museum. It is still there. There is plenty to see and do. Learn more at www.derwentart.com.
So come along to the opening and have fun – it’s a free event. I look forward to seeing you there.
THE DERWENT ETCHING is illustrated above A very special edition of 75 is being printed from Kelly’s etching plate of The White Barn, Cumberland by Robert Adam of Graal Press. It will be on sale at the museum from 27th April. More details from the museum.