The seventh year of the Lakes International Comic Arts Festival brings with it the annual “Windows Trail“, now bringing Kendal alive with comics in the run up to the annual weekend of comic creator-led fun, over 11th – 13th October.
Highlights include window displays by LICAF at Kendal College Competition Winner Alice Ashby, Castle Park School, Charlie Adlard, Nicole Bates, Jamie Barnes, Gareth Hopkins, Marc Jackson, Luke McGarry, Steve McGarry, Queen Elizabeth School, Zoom Rockman, Jim Tyson – and the LICAF Dungeon Mystery!
Taking inspiration from European comic events, the Windows Trail, supported by Kendal Business Improvement District, sees local businesses partner with school groups, community groups and artists, to turn their shop window into a comics-themed display – and this year, over 50 local businesses have joined in the fun, a fantastic achievement thanks to the hard work of Trail co-ordination Marianne Lusby.
“As one of the many extraordinary parts of the Festival, the Windows Trail provides a wonderful way to tour the town and Festival,” notes Director Julie Tait. “It’s at the heart of the Festival, because it provides a unique opportunity for young people, local businesses and local, national and international artists to collaborate and present a stunning display of their creative skills.
“It also provides visitors to Kendal with a brilliant way to explore what the town, and festival has to offer.
“This part of the Festival connects the local business community, young people from all over the country, local, national and international artists and our many local, national and international visitors. Our hope is that it helps inspire the next generation of comic artists too!”
• The Windows Trail work is now on display in businesses’ windows throughout Kendal until Friday 18th October 2019. If you’re heading to Kendal, be sure to vote for your favourite Window by picking up a voting slip and dropping it into the Windows Trail ballot box at the Brewery Arts Centre. During the festival, there will be voting slips at the Brewery and at the Comics Clock Tower, where there will also be ballot boxes. Prizes will be awarded for three different categories: The People’s Vote, Best School, College or Community group Window and Best Artist Windows
The full line up of businesses who’ve taken part, and the artists or local groups who have created displays, is as follows:
- About Time Espresso Bar – LICAF Dungeon Mystery
- Antiques Emporium – Bertie Pimblett
- Armistead Barnett Estate Agents – Settlebeck School
- Armstrong Ward –Brewery Youth Arts
- Arnold Greenwood Estate Agents – @isrightcartoons
- The Brewery Arts Centre, Studio Theatre – LICAF Dungeon Mystery
- The Brewery Display Cases – Queen Elizabeth School
- Brew Brothers – Luke McGarry
- Bumblebee Gallery – LICAF Dungeon Mystery
- Café Nero – St Thomas’s Primary School
- Café Olive – Riversiders Trust
- Charlie’s Café Bar – Whinfell School
- CNL Computers – Stramongate School
- Cobbler John’s – Staveley C of E school
- Comida – Mark Jackson
- Cordwainer’s Studio – Pete Taylor
- DC Stained Glass Studio – Debbie Copley
- Factory Tap – Luke McGarry
- Farrers Tea & Coffee House – Jamie Barnes
- Fat Face – Sunny Brow Nursery
- Farmhouse Kitchen – Heron Hill Primary School
- Fell Bar – Zoom Rockman
- Frydays – Space2Create Youth
- Highgate Vets – Southgate School
- Indigo Furnishings – Gareth Hopkins
- Kendal Fisheries – Awsome Art
- Kendal Leisure Centre – Sandgate School
- Made in Cumbria – Vickerage Park After School Club
- Market Place Books – Selside C of E Primary
- Miller Clear Architects LLP at Mintworks – Castle Park School
- The Moon – Marianne Birkby
- Museum of Lakeland Life – Crawl in the Hall
- Petrie Design – Jamie Barnes & Jonathan Petrie
- Peter Bland Sports – Jim Tyson
- Natwest – Old Hutton Primary School
- Nevisport – 1st Kendal Cubs
- The Oaklea Trust – Space2Create
- Oxfam Clothes Shop – Kendal College Competition Winner Alice Ashby
- Oxfam Book Shop – Kendal College Competition (Second place) Millie Wagstaff
- Pavers – Dean Barwick School
- Pedros – Armathwaite Primary School
- Pete Bland Sports – Jim Tyson
- Sight Advice – LICAF Dungeon Mystery
- Signature Gallery – Queen Katherine School
- Slate – Nicole Bates
- South Lakes Foyer – Jack Kitchen
- Staff of Life – LICAF Dungeon Mystery
- St John’s Hospice Clothes Shop – Lindale School
- St John’s Hospice Furniture Shop – Steve McGarry
- Tourist Information – Stewart Williams
- Waterside Café – Lancaster & Morecambe College
- Waterstones – Charlie Adlard
- Westmorland Financial Advice Centre – Alec Anderson
- Wetherspoons – LICAF Dungeon Mystery
- White Stuff – Kendal College
- Woodbridge & Mounsey – Queen Elizabeth School
- Yard 46 – LICAF Dungeon Mystery
• The Lakes International Comic Art Festival is back in Kendal in the Lake District 11th – 13th October 2019: www.comicartfestival.com | Podcast | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
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Thanks to the Comic Art Festival Podcast team for some of the photos above
