Cumbria-based artist, Jocelyn McGregor was selected by a panel from eight artists who were nominated by Lakeland Arts and Arts&Heritage. The panel included members of the Lakeland Arts programming team, Marie-Anne McQuay Director of Projects Arts&Heritage, and external guest artist Bharti Parmar. McGregor’s proposal responded to the merging of nature and industry at Windermere Jetty Museum and will involve climate conversations with local people. 

As part of the Untold programme Lakeland Arts has commissioned bold new contemporary art to be located at two of its venues that explore the often untold, or missing narratives in Cumbria’s history. Inspired by the locations and the Lakeland Arts collection, the artists chosen have worked with different communities to bring an authentic voice to an ambitious new programme of work. Untold, now unforgotten. 

Artist Jocelyn McGregor said:

“I’m over the moon to have been selected for the Windermere Jetty Museum Commission. This will be my first major commission in my home county and such a unique space to work with, jutting out over the banks of Windermere, and literally inviting water into the gallery. I can’t think of a more perfect position from which to reexamine our relationship with the natural world.”

Naomi Gariff Programme Curator Lakeland Arts, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with Jocelyn on the first Untold commission at Windermere Jetty Museum. Jocelyn’s commission will be something new and exciting for the museum, animating its hidden stories in a very surreal and engaging way.”

Marie-Anne McQuay, Director of Projects Arts&Heritage said: 

“Jocelyn McGregor’s Untold commission builds on her deep local knowledge of the landscape of Cumbria, combined with an imaginative and participatory response to the site. A&H is looking forward to experiencing the work she’ll present at Windermere Jetty Museum through Lakeland Arts and the new voices she’ll bring in.” 

McGregor’s commission is being developed across 2022/23. It will emerge in public via conversations, social media and events, with the final installation on display at Windermere Jetty Museum in autumn 2023.

Lakeland Arts is an arts and heritage charity and part of Cumbria Museum Consortium, a National Portfolio Organisation funded by Arts Council England. As part of their funding, Lakeland Arts commissions artists to create new work through projects like Untold. Lakeland Arts looks after Abbot Hall and Lakeland Museum in Kendal as well as Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house and Windermere Jetty Museum in Bowness-on-Windermere.

Lakeland Art seeks to protect and project the Lake District’s distinctive cultural legacy. Rich collections and shared experiences help keep the stories of this amazing region alive and seed the artists and makers of tomorrow. Lakeland Arts represents the lives of the people of Cumbria past and present.