| SEE ALSO |  | See also - Jo's Journey South, Journey East and
Journey West | | | WEB LINKS | | Grizedale Arts
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites. | | | FACTS | | Grizedale Arts manages a diverse and innovative arts programme in Grizedale Forest, Cumbria. Situated in the heart of the Lake District and bordered by Coniston Water to the west and Windermere to the east the forest, managed by the Forestry Commission, extends to 6,000 acres and is accessed by over 50 miles of tracks. The arts office, gallery, information point and education facilities are located alongside the Commission offices at the visitor centre, which also houses the café, gift shop, playground and mountain bike hire.
300,000 people visit the forest each year with 20% citing the arts programme as their principle reason for visiting. Approximately 80 works are currently located in the forest spanning the 25 year history of the arts programme which has been synonymous with the environmental artworks represented by Andy Goldsworthy and David Nash. The range of media and nature of artistic involvement has dramatically increased since 1999 under the directorship of Adam Sutherland.
Moving away from the more traditional 'art and nature' model the use of new technology and the integration of different art forms is encouraged with recent artists working across the fields of performance, sound and text based work in conjunction with forest based installations. In 2002 Grizedale is continuing its innovative approach to residencies by offering 10 research and development grants to artists who will be working in partnership with rural organisations, galleries and local community groups. Jo Roberts’ work is predominantly about responding to a particular site and is often of an ephemeral nature.
It evolves from a study of people, places and their interaction and often has a collaborative element.
One of her key interests is in the role of the artist in today’s society and how an artist operates within that society as an ‘activist’, with the artist operating as an individual, showing that art is not just a commodity, but a catylst for discussion and debate.
For Grizedale, Jo will assume the role of a commentariographer, combining the advocacy of contemporary art with her project.
Jo’s Journeys’ will document a series of journeys that either start or finish at Grizedale. | | | PRINT THIS PAGE | | | View a printable version of this page. | |  |
| | I'm conducting four journeys from Grizedale – North, South, East and West. Each one is travelling in a general compass direction eg south, and is of four days duration. Early on in my Journey North I found this wonderful library in Ambleside – it is a real hidden gem. It has lots of books about The Lake District, especially old Guide books which I find particularly fascinating.
 | |  | | Books at Armit Library | | Milk bottle |
I went to talk to Sam about Ambleside Oral History Group. Whilst he was making me a cup of tea I noticed this beautiful little object. You push it down on to the milk bottle top, thereby taking the top off and returning it easily!
 | | Windsurfer |
I spent the night with 243 others at Ambleside Youth Hostel! From my warm and cosy room I watched a windsurfer battling his way back and forth across the lake.
 | | Drawing of a foot |
I attended the Lakes Neighbourhood Forum meeting, an interesting way for the general public to express their views. I did find the foot of the person next to me very interesting when the proceedings went through a lull!
 | | Paperclips |
During my visit to The Theatre by the Lake I found this cup of paper clips fascinating – more than the view of lake and hills outside! Definitely shades of Venice here, in a very beautiful setting.  | | Poles in Derwent Water |
On my six mile walk to my next Youth Hostel I was walking through the scattered hamlet of Bowness. By the side of the road I found this sign, informing me that it was a ‘township’ – should I have been in any doubt.
 | | Bowscale town plaque |
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