C-Art announced as finalist for Cumbria Tourism awards.

C-Art, Cumbria’s largest visual arts event has been announced as a finalist for Cumbria Tourisms ‘Tourism event of the year’ category. The Cumbria Tourism Awards celebrate the best of Cumbria's tourism businesses and the talented individuals behind them. Their hard work and dedication drives an economy worth over £2 billion. Dozens of businesses from around the county including ones from Brampton, Penrith, Keswick, Whitehaven, Carlisle, Windermere, Eskdale, Ravenglass, Grasmere, Ulverston, Barrow and Kirkby Lonsdale have entered the 10th annual Cumbria Tourism Awards.

The annual Cumbria Tourism Awards is open to a whole range of tourism related businesses including; hotels, B&Bs, holiday parks, visitor attractions, businesses and tourism staff, which make up the county’s thriving tourism industry.

‘We’re thrilled to have C-Art nominated for this prestigious award, it’s really important that arts are celebrated and seen as a vital contributor to Cumbria’s tourist ecology. C-Art’s instant success and impact just shows that there is a real thirst for and interest in Cumbria’s art, craft and design.’ explains Eden Arts Director Adrian Lochhead.

Building on the 2011 event, which saw 8,000 studio visits generating £57,000 of sales, C-Art is set to bring together more of the best Cumbrian visual and applied arts in another two-week event, which this year will include galleries. In response to interest from gallery owners wishing to be involved, they are now able to sign up to be included in the Open Studios trail, which will run from 1 – 16 September.

The dedicated website www.c-art.org.uk and catalogue will highlight all the studios and galleries opening their doors during the two-week period. The website will also be available to be used as a definitive year-round directory of art, craft and design across the county.

The long established Cumbria Tourism Awards are widely recognised by both local businesses and visitors as a mark of distinction and quality. Those businesses lucky enough to win an award in one of the 12 categories are recognised as being at the pinnacle of their profession and represent the very best the county has to offer. The shortlisted entrants will have the honour of being recognised as the best in Cumbria in their respective category at the awards presentation, which is being held at Rheged on 24th May. The ‘Tourism event of the year’ award is sponsored this year by Taste Hospitality Recruitment.

Ian Stephens, Managing Director at Cumbria Tourism, said: “As always, the judges had a tough decision to whittle down the high volume of excellent entries to the shortlisted few. These awards highlight the best that Cumbria has to offer when it comes to providing millions of visitors with a holiday or short break to remember. This is our chance to reward the best of the best and show our appreciation”.
 
Eden Arts wishes to thank Derwent Pencils, Booths and the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald for their kind support of the C-Art 2011 event, and the 100 participating artists who’s hard work and commitment have made the event such a success.

C-Art will run this year from 1 September – 16 September. Catalogues for this year’s event will be available from targeted cultural venues across Cumbria and via the C-Art website at www.c-art.org.uk The full list of participating artists, designers and galleries for the 2012 event will be available from the C-Art website from the 30 May. Keep up to date with all the latest information via twitter @eden_arts.