New colourful giant light-based and interactive artworks are being brought to Worcester by Severn Arts for the fifth Light Night taking place in the city centre on Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 February from 6 - 9pm.  

Evanescent a large-scale piece capturing the magic of bubbles, by Atelier Sisu will take over Cornmarket car park and Juan Fuentes’s Kinetic Perspective, a 20m long installation creating illusions that will thrill and captivate, will fill Cathedral Square. Also included in the 2024 programme and highlighting this year’s theme of connectivity is: 

• Network by Gemma Wood, taking us on a spellbinding exploration inside the mind. 
• Paul Alty’s Black Hole – End of Time immersive multimedia experience. 
• The Nectary by Alison Smith and Dr Chris Hassall, inviting the audience to mimic a pollinating insect. 
• New Worlds by Halina Rice, an indoor installation bringing a blend of emotive music, lights and visual. 
• Aura dance performance, merging music and visuals, commissioned by Dancefest.
• Stained Glass Window at St Andrew’s Church illuminated and shining brightly in the night.

Artists Dom Breadmore and Anne Forgan will be working with community groups to design illuminated banners which will form part of their Light Night Pop-up People’s Pavilion in Cornmarket. The Artery Studios are creating an immersive walk-through light experience, giving insight into a neurodivergent mind.  And in the week leading up to the festival artists Lou Baker and Oly Bliss will be inviting you to join them as they make sculptures to add to their immersive, glow-in-the-dark installation.  

This year a one-year project grant from Arts Council England secured by the festival organisers Severn Arts, and with additional support from funders: Worcester City Council, Worcestershire County Council, University of Worcester, The Elmley Foundation and Worcester BID; and many local supporters and sponsors including Startin Group, BeFibre, Sound & Art at St. Swithun’s, Guthrie Roberts Ltd, The Kiln, Crowngate Shopping Centre, PB Signs Ltd and All Saints Worcester means that Light Night will still be a free to access event. But Severn Arts are appealing for donations to enhance the event and have a target to raise £5,000 to help bring the Black Hole – End of Time installation by Paul Alty to Light Night this year and create another spectacular programme for Worcester.  

Laura Worsfold, Severn Arts CEO said: “We hope you will join us again and thank everyone for your support. We are looking for donations to help us continue to offer this amazing free festival, now a mainstay of the cultural offer in Worcester, so please do dig deep if you can and donate to severnarts.org.uk/Appeal/light-night-worcester”  

Volunteers are also being sought for both nights, anyone interested can find out more and register at severnarts.org.uk/volunteer-light-night-2024.  

Light night is a free, non-ticketed event suitable for all ages. For programme updates follow @SevernArts on social media and visit their website severnarts.org.uk.