Parish Church to transform into forest glade for light and sound installation

British woodlands beautifully demonstrate how intertwined humans and nature truly are. These ancient forests provide homes for wildlife, purify the air we breathe, and offer inspiration across generations, while the responsibility of safeguarding these essential ecosystems falls to us.

This profound bond and the ideas of interconnection with nature were explored in a series of co-creation days with students from Magnus Church of England Academy, led by artists Urban Projections and CJ Mirra. They considered the systems and cycles of the forest, along with our hopes and visions for the future. Working with the artists, they crafted audio recordings and sequences of light which respond to the beauty and complexity of our connection to local woodland.

The installation has been organised by Newark Creates, whose projects this year have included the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity Umbrella installation and 3D street art with Urban Canvas in the Market Place. Set up in 2021, it is a cultural programme, led by Newark Cultural Consortium and forming part of the High Streets Heritage Action Zone.

Carol Newman, Director of Culture at Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries, the lead partner in the Consortium, said: “St Mary Magdalene Church is the perfect setting for this event. Seeing the light play against its lofty rafters will echo a forest canopy while the carefully chosen soundscape will reverberate beautifully in this cavernous space. This is a fantastic way to kick off the festive season too and I hope that lots of people will come along to enjoy the fantastic work of our local young students.”

Funding to support all of Newark Creates’ events has been provided by Historic England, Arts Council England, Newark Town Board and from the District Council’s allocation of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

To find out more about the event and Newark Creates, visit www.newarkcreates.co.uk or follow them on Facebook.