Talented Artists Rewarded At Historic Quarter Arts Festival

A photographer whose pictures record life at Carlisle’s historic Turkish Baths has won a prize in the Historic Quarter Arts Festival.

Molly Matcham was awarded the photography prize, sponsored by Hayward Tod and Digital Express and was delighted with her win.

“It has been a great experience to be part of this festival, thank you for giving me the chance to exhibit alongside such talented artists,” she said.

Molly Matcham was delighted with her win.

The third annual festival was a great success, with hundreds of visitors enjoying the art at a central exhibition and in displays around Historic Quarter businesses including Northern Vacuums and Armatos.

Visitors voted for Pete Pieri’s Stanwix Bank as the winner of the People’s Choice award, which was sponsored by Black Box Architects.

Pete was delighted to hear that he had won, “This is fantastic news and has totally made my day,” he said.

The judges were impressed with the quality of work on display and enjoyed looking round the exhibition and art trail.


Judges l-r: Chris Day, Dr. Sarah Bonner, Melanie Gardner, Malcolm Wilson, Seren Shaw

They included Dr Sarah Bonner, Principal Lecturer at the University of Cumbria, Melanie Gardner, Keeper of fine and decorative art at Tullie, Chris Day and Malcolm Wilson of Black Box Architects and Seren Shaw of StArt, who also curated the exhibition.

Other winners were:

  • Black Box Mixed Media Prize – Lily Greenwood – Ceratosaurus at the Civic Centre
  • Bookends Illustration Prize – Jonathan Paisley – Abbey Gatehouse,
  • Sculpture House Hair Textiles Prize – Abigail Kilfedder – Carlisle Cathedral Ceiling
  • Amato’s Painting Prize – Carol McDermott – Untitled.