KENDAL.- Lakeland Arts worked in close collaboration with the De Morgan Foundation to bring together an exhibition and a series of events celebrating the work of Evelyn De Morgan.

Opening for spring, Evelyn De Morgan: Artist of Peace (24 April - 13 September 2015) celebrates the artist Evelyn De Morgan (1855-1919), whose remarkable paintings bear the influence of early Italian Renaissance art as well as that of her Pre-Raphaelite contemporaries, yet have a distinctive style that is uniquely her own. As we commemorate the centenary of the First World War, this significant show will focus on De Morgan’s pacifism and reaction both to this conflict and the Boer War of 1899-1902, with many of the works having been included in the artist’s solo exhibition held in the spring of 1916 in aid of the Red Cross.

Trained at the Slade School of Art, De Morgan was a prolific professional artist who enjoyed significant commercial success with sales of her symbolic paintings, inspired by both literature and contemporary concerns. She was married to the Arts and Crafts potter, William De Morgan, and had associations with many others in the Arts and Crafts circle, including William Morris and Charles Voysey, making Blackwell an ideal venue for a celebration of her work.

The exhibition has been co-curated by Claire Longworth, the Curator of the De Morgan Foundation and Dr Richenda Roberts from the University of Birmingham.

On Friday 24 April, Dr Richenda Roberts and Claire Longworth will be back at Blackwell for two special events. In the afternoon, Dr Roberts will be leading a walking tour of the exhibition where she will explore De Morgan’s use of symbolism within the contexts of British home front life during the First World War. This event begins at 2pm and is free with admission. In the evening, Claire Longworth, will be giving a lecture in Blackwell’s iconic Main Hall on De Morgan’s life and works. Tickets available online at blackwell.org.uk or by telephone 015394 46139, £10/7. Blackwell will be open from 5.30pm, lecture starts 6.30pm.

Claire Longworth completed her MA in History of Design at the Royal College of Art, London, before going on to work at the V&A. She has taught Design History at a number of Art Schools including Wimbledon School of Art, Surrey Institute of Art and Design (University of Surrey) and has served on the executive committee of the Design History Society. Claire has lectured extensively on the subjects of William De Morgan, the Arts and Crafts Movement and Victorian Women Artists and has been the curator of the De Morgan Foundation since 2002.

Dr Richenda Roberts was awarded her PhD by the University of Birmingham where she currently teaches for the Department of Art History, Film and Visual Studies. With teaching and research experience in curatorial practices alongside British art and design from 1840-1940, she has particular interest and specialism in evaluating the outcomes of exhibition display strategies, pacifist art practices, art responding to the First World War, utopian art communities of the 1930s, Art Deco and Modernist design produced in Britain during the inter-war period. In addition to teaching and giving regular public lectures, Richenda has also recently curated an exhibition commemorating the centenary of the First World War - Rebel Visions: The War Art of C.R.W. Nevinson, Barber Institute of Fine Arts, the University of Birmingham.