KENDAL Windows on Art has plenty in the pipeline.

Not least, Body Response, a bioscience project, the creative results of which can been seen until the end of February at Captain’s French Lane Surgery.

Body Response came about when KWoA began to explore science through art with pupils at Kendal’s Dean Gibson Catholic and Vicarage Park primary schools.

KWoA supported the schools as the children began to explore the body’s reactions to sound and temperature, which included facilitating visits from local health professionals, training staff on the creative use of scientific equipment, including a thermal imager and sound recording systems, and establishing links with local medical centres.

Pat Hartley, art co-ordinator at Vicarage Park was greatly inspired, and building on links with Captain French Lane Surgery, worked with her pupils to create a stunning display of artwork especially for the surgery waiting area.

“Working with KWoA was a privileged opportunity,” Pat tells me.

“Not only did we have professional artists coming into school to share their skills with us, but as our particular topic was linked to science, KWoA provided us with health professionals as well, extending the experience we could offer our pupils.”

KWoA’s main creative force Nicki Smith points out that the work has been warmly received at the surgery, with project advisor GP Karen Oliver saying that the feedback from patients and staff has been fantastic: “They are impressed at the high standard of the art work and like the idea that children’s art is displayed within their local community setting for everyone to enjoy,” adds Karen.

“It has come at a good time for Captain French Surgery as it brightens up the waiting room, improving the waiting room environment, and showing that we can make some changes ahead of the move to new premises.”

KWoA artist Pam Williamson welcomes the creative challenge of developing artwork for a busy community setting: “KWoA commissioned me as part of its Body Response project to make art works for the walls of the surgery,” explains Pam.

“I’m working on linking how we hear and how we see information we’re given by the medical profession.

“I think this project is an exciting opportunity to bridge the gap between art and science and I’m really looking forward to working with the public and the doctors in developing my work.”

Meanwhile, artwork is also being developed for display at Kendal’s Westmorland General Hospital and Station House Surgery, which includes Caroline Eustace’s outdoor installation based on the body's response to environmental factors.

Also in the frame is Sedbergh artist Trevor Avery, who will be creating a sonic landscape inspired by the recording and analysis of sound wave patterns with pupils at Dean Gibson Catholic Primary School.

In addition to exploring the nervous system and communication using light, KWoA’s Nicki Smith will ensure that pupils at both Dean Gibson and Vicarage Park schools are given opportunities to engage with the artists' creative processes.

Nicki, KWoA programme co-ordinator, says that there’s more imaginative and exciting projects to come in 2009, including working with Hallgarth Community Circle: “The Hallgarth community has a fascinating history to be explored, valued and shared,” enthuses Nicki.

“This funding will enable children, young families and older adults in the Hallgarth community to engage in a variety of creative opportunities, as they work together.”

And that’s not all...throughout the next 12 months a team of KWoA artists will be working with children and young families based at Kendal’s St Thomas’s Primary School as well as older local residents with the help of Hallgarth Senior Citizens Group. Project activities will range from the recording and archiving of Hallgarth Estate’s social history as told by original residents inspiring art workshops and outdoor sculpture at the school to intergenerational project performances and exhibitions across the community.

Not forgetting plans afoot to build on past successful collaborations with Kendal Library and local secondary schools to create a dynamic public space installation in Kendal town centre.

Eye catching in every sense.