Inspired by... Gallery at Danby, near Whitby, devotes summer exhibition and event programme to The Lost Spells

The North York Moors National Park’s gallery is to host a beautiful new exhibition inspired by the acclaimed nature book The Lost Spells and running a series of complementary events that deepen people’s connections with the natural world.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Lost Spells: Listening to a Landscape of Voices exhibition, which includes artwork and a specially-created immersive soundscape featuring wildlife recordings and spell songs, is going on tour after 11 months at The Sill in Northumberland.

And the first venue will be the Inspired by… gallery at Danby Lodge National Park Centre.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Running from July 15 to September 10, the family-friendly exhibition will bring to life the enchanting spell poems in the book, the sequel to the bestselling The Lost Words, written by Robert Macfarlane and illustrated by Jackie Morris.

The Lost Spells - OwlThe Lost Spells - Owl
The Lost Spells - Owl

The exhibition, which is free to enter, will echo The Lost Spells intention that each poem, which is dedicated to an animal, bird, tree or flower, should be read aloud.

Along with admiring the beautiful illustrations, visitors will be able to hear recordings of wildlife such as owls, curlews and foxes and acoustic music from the Spell Songs.

For spellbound youngsters there will be a creative hub with sensory trays and drawing activities in the exhibition, while from 21 July, they will also be able to follow The Magic of Nature Trail in the grounds of Danby Lodge listening out for nature’s sounds whether it’s a robin chanting or an oak tree’s leaves rustling.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On August 3, there’s a special event called Becoming Fox in the company of performing artist Bidi Iredale and Cleveland Fibre Arts who will take children on a journey into the natural world using storytelling and mask making.

The Lost Spells - Fox.The Lost Spells - Fox.
The Lost Spells - Fox.

Meanwhile for adults there are two creative writing workshops on July 29 and September 2 when author Clara Challoner Walker and poet Janet Dean will draw inspiration from the exhibition to encourage would-be writers.

Sally Ann Smith, curator of the Inspired by… gallery comments: “We’ve lined up an events programme that will mirror and build upon the messages within the exhibition while providing a fun day out for children and adults alike.”

The Lost Spells: Listening to a Landscape of Voices exhibition is in association with Penguin Books, and supported by the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.

Related topics: