Mandinga Arts – The Spirit Tree

Wisbech - Friday 17 October 4pm-6pm. Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October 10am-4pm

We worked with Mandinga Arts this Autumn to bring The Spirit Tree to Wisbech, a magically immersive tree installation that celebrated the local apple growing tradition and sparks imagination through play, conversation and hands-on interaction. Coinciding with the celebration of Apple Day on 21st October, The Spirit Tree invited the community of Wisbech to connect with the fenland landscape, local heritage, and community identity through the sharing of personal stories or memories connected to trees, nature and local orchards. 

Families and young people decorated apples through painting, collage, glitter and written messages. Decorated apples were then hung on the Tree transforming it into a colourful, communal artwork that captured the essence of Wisbech. Visitors were given the opportunity to wear and animate parts of the Tree, culminating in an impromptu mini parade through Market Square on Sunday 19 October! People created intricate foam masks, tried on 3D animal heads and learned about the development of the Tree.

With 4 different varieties of delicious locally-grown apples available for our visitors to try for FREE, generously donated by William Norman and Son Ltd and delivered by Fenland Orchards Project, it truly was an Apple Day to remember.