Colourful artwork launch exhibition will take place on 28 May
A vivid piece of artwork showcasing the rich and diverse culture of Whitehaven is going on display in the town’s museum.
There will be an official exhibition launch event of the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) ‘Whitehaven Wave’ project, which celebrates the town’s long history as a port and highlights the wide range of people who have travelled to and from over the centuries, at the Beacon Museum on Tuesday, 28 May, from 3.00pm.
The finished artwork shows ships from far and wide, that once brought tobacco from Virginia or sugar from the Caribbean, or off to trade their cargo of coal from the local mines. And of course, attendees can spot the infamous John Paul Jones, shown in the midst of his raid of Whitehaven in 1778.
The Wave also shows some of the incredible flora and fauna that can be found in the beautiful environment surrounding Whitehaven. There’s plenty of fish and other marine life to spot in the sea, and many colourful flowers and plants dotted around, as well as many of the town’s recognisable landmarks.
UCLan’s Bob Walley, who has run the project, said: “Whitehaven has had an incredible history of rich culture and diversity down the years. The Whitehaven Wave stands as a reminder for everybody, that people from all over the world have come and gone from Whitehaven throughout its history. From merchants and traders in the 1600s, to the present day international medical students who attend the University. This is something that will carry on in the future for the town too, and so is definitely something to be celebrated!”
"Whitehaven has had an incredible history of rich culture and diversity down the years. The Whitehaven Wave stands as a reminder for everybody, that people from all over the world have come and gone from Whitehaven throughout its history."
This project, run by UCLan’s Centre for Volunteering and Community Leadership (CVCL), involved international medical students from UCLan’s Westlakes Campus in Whitehaven. These students volunteered for the project which went into St Begh’s Catholic Junior School, the Beacon Museum and held open community events at Whitehaven Marina where anyone could get involved in creating the Whitehaven Wave art piece.
It was also supported throughout by Suzanne Wilson, from the UCLan Centre for Citizenship and Community, who has been running a Connected Communities research project by creating a local ‘Girls’ Gang’ group.
Suzanne said: “Girls’ Gang has been involved in community research and social actions to better understand and support their community. The Whitehaven Wave helped to build on this, adding to the groups existing knowledge about their community, both past and present.”
The finished artwork will be exhibited in the reception of the Beacon Museum until later in the summer. Afterwards the plan is for the artwork to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with the proceeds going to a local mental health charity.