Bridges of Light brought creativity, vibrancy, fun and energy to Worcester city centre last week. 

The programme of magical light artworks and a breath taking projection onto the city bridge was created for Worcester by professional artists selected by Severn Arts, working in collaboration with a range of community groups from across the city. 

Overall, 12 artists/companies, seven community groups, two schools, and more than 400 participants were involved. 36 volunteers were recruited to tell visitors about the artworks, guide them around the festival programme and gather feedback. 

For Cygnet Song projected on the bridge artists Rob and Matt Vale from Illuminos ran workshops with children at Carnforth Primary School, Furness Close residents and Get, Set, Grow using the tale of the Ugly Duckling to explore themes of resilience, wellbeing, strength and personal growth. This artwork was commissioned by Bridges of Light 2025 and funded by Public Health Worcestershire County Council. 

Warndon Community Litterpickers provided materials for Chris Plant’s installation Macroscopic seen hanging from the trees in the High Street and visitors were queuing up to create their own personal slides to be projected for everyone to enjoy. 

Local composer Daniel Soley worked with Cranham Primary School to create the bespoke atmospheric soundtrack to accompany the installation Stars Come out at Night by Stellar Creates. 

Bird Songs by Lou Chapelle incorporated the stories and bird creations of Worcester’s diverse community into the soundscape and holographic bird designs. 

Worcester Mela collaborated with Emergency Exit Arts, creators of Stitching Light, to include Worcester in this project by facilitating the formation of the first Bangladeshi women’s group in the city and creating a valuable opportunity for Worcester’s Bangladeshi women to share their stories and experiences. 

Dines Green Youth Group and The Monday Night Club took part in workshops with artist Kim Piffy creating wish fish (a wish for the future) and footprints (signifying a step taken in life) for the installation Imagining a Bright Future in Henry Sandon Hall. 

Artist Lou Chapelle said: “So nice to get those lovely little birds out of the studio and into the real world. I was able to include some beautiful new species of birds invented and hand-drawn in collaboration with some of Worcestershire’s diverse community groups during the workshops we held on the lead up to the festival. I then brought them to life using AI tools. 
 
We explored how in most cultures, birds are seen as messengers, crossing frontiers and oceans, and overcoming physical or spiritual barriers to reach out to loved ones. We thought about who we would like to reach and what our bird would look like. We wrote poems which we recorded and created a soundtrack mixing human voices and bird songs. “Carry my voice in your song…”” 

Visitors were also guided across the city by the two light trails: 

• Chris Plant’s trail of  Harmonic Portals attracted visitors from afar with their fabulous blend of sound, light and vibrant colours.
• Catt Standen’s Iridescent Light Trail highlighted the hopes of young people from Warndon and Ronkswood Community Hubs and St Helen’s Church, with their words and drawings etched on 60 cubes displayed in the windows of 10 businesses across the city.  Work by Maya Wright, emerging artist at Heart of Worcestershire College, was included in this trail.  

And several businesses joined in by extending their opening hours and providing warming refreshments. 

Leena Batchelor owner of Script Haven said: “It was a delight to see Bridges of Light come to Worcester. Seeing so many happy faces around on a dark night was wonderful. Personally, for Script Haven we had a great event with many new and familiar customers joining us for hot drinks, books and gifts.”  

Karolina  Gustalik from Glazey Pottery Studio said: "It was amazing! Thank you so much for the wonderful event. We had so many folks walk by our studio and get to know us. It helped us a lot!” 

The programme also invited plenty of playful participation on the night; Digital Graffiti by Light Art Creatives had digital spray cans to create your own artwork on the walls of the Guildhall, Catch Me Now by Tine Bech Studio outside The Hive encouraged a joyful game of catch and chase under a spotlight and Shadow Dance by Impossible Arts on Cathedral Square took dancing in the streets to a whole new level. 

Bridges of Light is the first in a series of festivals that will take place across Worcester over the next two years, as part of  Local Voices, Creative Choices.