KENDAL'S links to an influential 20th-century artist are set to be celebrated in a seminar at the town hall. 

German-born Kurt Schwitters, famed for his installations, poetry and sculptures, fled the Nazis in 1937 and later settled in Ambleside. He died at what was then the Kendal Workhouse Infirmary in 1948. 

In 1947, he had begun work on a walk-in sculpture in a barn at the Cylinders Estate at Elterwater, Langdale. 

He finished one wall of the barn, which was later rescued by artist Richard Hamilton and taken to the Hatton Gallery in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where it can still be seen. Schwitters coined the name 'Merz' for his multi-media works.

And Ian Hunter, director of the charity Littoral Arts, which owns the Cylinder site, has organised a seminar in Kendal Town Hall's Georgian Room this Tuesday (December 10), where the future of the site will be discussed.

The event, which begins at 7pm, will feature a performance of Schwitters' 'sound poem', the Ursonate, by Workington-based artist Ian Hinde. It will also kick-start public consultation on how best to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Merz Barn in 2022, and celebrate those who have worked to keep the artist's legacy alive.

Littoral Arts' Ian Hunter said: “Schwitters is revered by leading international artists, academics and architects. Many want to see the Cylinders site preserved and developed."

He added: “We are proposing a major programme of new artwork commissions, exhibitions, educational community engagements and new architecture projects to mark the 75th anniversary of the Merz Barn’s creation.

“But we want to consult as many people as possible about how best to do this. After Kendal we plan similar events in Ambleside, Manchester and the Tate in London.”

More details can be found by visiting https://merzbarnlangdale.wordpress.com/media-events/ and scrolling down.