Percy Kelly’s Copeland at the Beacon Museum
Percy Kelly’s Copeland at the Beacon Museum – In 1997, the newly opened Beacon Museum hosted an exhibition of artwork by local artist Percy Kelly. Now, more than 25 years later, The Beacon Museum will host “Kelly’s Copeland,” a celebration of some of his finest work and preliminary sketches featuring the towns and villages of Copeland.
This will be a unique opportunity to see some of his more famous pieces of work and expansive charcoals.
Percy captured the towns, villages, and countryside in a distinct style that set his work apart.
Linear, simple, brooding, and at times childlike, yet all executed with total purpose.
For those who don’t know or have never heard of Percy Kelly, here is the perfect opportunity to learn about one of Cumbria’s finest artists.
Originally from Workington, Percy grew up in Salterbeck, and his extraordinary talent was quickly noticed. His ability to draw gained the attention of the great and the good, including Sir Winston Churchill, Lord and Lady Webb, Sir Nicholas Sekers, and Princess Margaret, to name but a few.
Important people befriended him, and many tried to help him. He was in demand, and many top-end galleries pursued him to exhibit his work, but not many persuaded him to do so.
Percy’s first exhibition took place when he was 48 years old at the Rosehill Theatre, where his patron, Sir Nicholas Sekers, gave him his first exhibition. This was quickly followed up with another exhibition at the Sir Nicholas Sekers showroom in Sloane Street, London.
The only others to succeed in persuading Percy to exhibit were Lady Fermoy at her gallery in Kings Lynn and Mary Burkett at Abbot Hall in Kendal—and only once, I might add.
Percy was known to be a complicated soul, and it is said he was very difficult to deal with; he would constantly change his mind about what he was prepared to exhibit or sell and would often cancel at the last minute.
The only other known exhibition was a private affair at a friend’s house, Joan David, in 1984, and that was simply to pay for his second divorce.
With so many paintings and so few exhibitions, attending this exhibition at The Beacon Museum is truly a rarity and one not to be missed, to say the least.
And add to the fact that this collection has never before been seen in public – it becomes even more special.
As well as the exhibition, there will be guided walks and talks from Chris Wadsworth (founder of Castlegate gallery and author of Percy Kelly: The Man Who Couldn’t Stop Drawing) and Tony Calvin (chairman of Friends of The Beacon), co-curators of the exhibition.
Percy Kelly’s Whitehaven Walk and Talk takes place every Sunday from 11.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. from January 22 to February 26.
This event is free; however, please keep in mind that admission to The Beacon Museum is required.
Bringing the exhibition to life
Every Tuesday and Saturday, from 21 January to 25 February, from 1 pm – 3 pm. Chris Wadsworth, Tony Johnson, and Sal Calvin will conduct informal talks in the Light and Dark Gallery, which will provide you with some background about the artist and walk you through the pictures on display.
Please note that an admission fee is required for this.
