“Art Gene’s programme of research, engagement with communities and delivery of art works within the extreme post-industrial coastal landscape of the Islands and Bays of Barrow-in-Furness.”

Extreme Views was an Arts Council Funded project with NPO Art Gene, Barrow-in-Furness. The project was a series of events and workshops were programmed for the community, to provide a vehicle for discussion around identity, health and well-being and a positive future.  Bringing together creatives, artists, scientists, and naturalists with local residents to explore and discover what is amazing about the area and to find ways to utilise and celebrate for the future generations.

Rachel managed the portfolio for Art Gene projects which included; Extreme Views, Landscape Working Party, Coastal Communities, Allotment Soup and more.

To learn more about Art Gene and the Extreme Views project go here.

Within her role and as Project Manager, collaborative artist and filmmaker,  Rachel facilitated engagement and filmed these events to celebrate the process and allow local residents to engage interactively with the project.

A favourite event of the project was ‘Barra Night Life’.  The local community were invited along to camp up at The Isle of Walney Community Growing Space, the ‘Allotment Soup’ project, to pick blackberries, make jam, eat food and watch a film outdoors.  With moth traps, a bat walk and campfire it was a great opportunity for younger members of the community to see their environment at night!

See a clip below:

Another fabulous part of Extreme Views and The Coastal Communities project, was making designer bird boxes with the local communities around Barrow. See film below:

As part of Extreme Views Part 2 Rachel came back to film the crossing of the Duddon Estuary with local Naturalist Pete Burton and members of the public. Beautiful views, amazing facts and a little wade through the sea.