WESTON Town Centre is due to be transformed into a dazzling paradise in the GLOW Light Festival.
Funded by Arts Council England, the National Lottery Community Fund and Weston-super-Mare Town Council, the event will take place between February 15 and 18.
Grove Park will act as a base for national artists to showcase their talent to Weston residents, although the festival will be spread out throughout the surrounding area.
Chila Kumari Singh Byrman MBE will have her work showcased at the Grand Pier. Visitors can come here to marvel at the 'Pigeon', a piece of neon artwork which acts as a tribute to the bird.
Chila Kumari Singh Burman said: “The humble pigeon is commonly maligned yet is an extraordinary bird.
"Historically revered as sacred by a number of cultures, employed as wartime messengers and equipped with a homing instinct that can chart 800 miles in a day, this global street dweller deserves a moment to shine.
“It’s been fun to notice pigeons afresh - the colours that ripple their grey feathers, the gentle underscore their cooing brings to cityscapes, their sense of community.
"My Weston ’super’ pigeon will, I hope, help people to look again at what's on their doorstep, with a big smile in the mix!”
Local students from Walliscote Primary School are also taking some inspiration from ‘Pigeon’ to create their own illuminated nests.
They will fill the nest with their hopes and dreams, which will take 'flight' in the future.
Led by artist Megan Clark-Bagnall, ‘Nest’ will be on display in the window of Weston Artspace on the High Street throughout GLOW.
Joining in with the bird theme, Helen Musselwhite and Illuminos will showcase their 'Mystery Bird' which symbolises hope and freedom.
Lasertonic will be joining the Grand Pier installations. Flora Litchfield, a visual artist, will be exploring the impact that colour and sound can have on emotions.
Paula Birtwistle, producer of GLOW, said: “Thanks to the generous support of all our funders, this year GLOW is able to radiate its joy beyond Grove Park.
"The festival presents an ambitious programme of highly acclaimed work and community participation, largely featuring female artists and showcasing iconic artworks that add to Weston’s ever-growing cultural portfolio.”
For more information, visit cultureweston.org.uk.
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