DEMONSTRATIONS, stalls and activities galore are lined up for a new festival and market celebrating the arts and crafts on Kendal’s riverside.

Entitled Kendal Summer Arts, this weekend’s event (June 14/15) is a joint venture between arts co-operative, Kendal Arts Community, and shopping complex K Village The Lakes Outlet.

The event kicks off tomorrow (Friday) with an open-mic event at K Village, plus a pop-up bar supplied by Ruskin’s bar.

Artists, arts materials, live music and interactive workshops all feature in the creative mix of stalls and marquees alongside the River Kent and down the malls of K Village.

Among the artists exhibiting are Rachel Greenbank, Clare Whistler, Sue Hollins, Sophie Holme and Brie Wharf.

Kendal Arts Community will also be showcasing members’ work and demonstrating various art techniques, including paper-cutting, pen and ink drawing, oil painting and photography.

Also included will be painting and other fine art workshops with paint maker Pip Seymour, wood turner Keith Shorrock, photographer Colin Reynolds, and John Swain, who makes contemporary silver jewellery. Arts material suppliers including Youdells and Grosvenor House Papers will also be on hand.

Children will be entertained with Bongo Balloons and on the Sunday Ruth Longrigg, of Penrith-based Creation Station hosts a fun creative workshop from 11am-3pm.

Also on the Sunday, the Knitting Ladies from Williams Wool shop in Kirkland will be demonstrating their Community World Knit.

Nostalgia website Jump Into Kendal is taking over the K Shoes Heritage Centre for the weekend to display its collection of memorabilia from the Auld Grey Town.

A bad weather contingency for the art show is being provided in a large disused unit within K Village. Free car parking will also be supplied by the factory shopping outlet.

K Village general manager, Mandy Dixon, said it had been a long time ambition of hers to see art displayed along Kendal's beautiful riverside.

She added: “Kendal Summer Arts is providing an exciting opportunity to display the best in community art, giving festival goers a great chance to enjoy, invest, participate and generally be inspired.”

Co-organiser Helen Isaac, representing KAC said: “We want to showcase the variety and talent of artists throughout the Kendal area.”