Category: Project Posts

Light Up The Town is an annual light art festival taking place in West Suffolk. MarketPlace Arts is recruiting local residents to act as ambassadors and be involved in a group meeting to inform the next Light Up The Town events. Ambassadors will receive £25 to cover expenses for their time in and travel to the group meeting. Our questions are designed so that we can recruit a diverse group that can represent each town truly. We hope to hear from a range of voices. You don’t have to know about arts and culture, or have attended one of our events before – we want to hear from local people who can tell us about what their life is like in their town.

Ambassadors will take part in one, two-hour meeting which will be a friendly, informal session to share ideas and discuss what matters locally. These will take place in June or July. Food and drink will be available. We particularly welcome people who don’t usually get asked for their views, and anyone who feels their perspective isn’t often heard.

SIGN UP TO BE A LIGHT UP THE TOWN COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR

DROP-IN Q&A SESSIONS 

Have questions about the Ambassadors call out? Join us for an informal online Q&A session where you can ask members of the MarketPlace team any questions about the Light Up The Town ambassadors.

• Join the Drop-in Q&A on Wednesday 13 May, 12:30–1:30pm
• Join the Drop-in Q&A on Monday 18 May, 6pm – 7pm

FAQ’s

Meetings

Light Up The Town will run in Brandon, Mildenhall and Newmarket in 2027. We are running a group meeting in each town so that local people can shape the event for their town. Each meeting format will run in the same format.

Schedule

The meeting will run for 2 hours. The MarketPlace Arts team will be on site for 30 minutes before the meeting so ambassadors can arrive early and ask any questions if they wish to. This is entirely optional. A comfort break will be scheduled mid way and food and drink will be provided. 

Venues

We will be booking a private room in a town centre community space in each town. We will ensure the space is wheelchair accessible and easily walkable from the town centre/ local public transport links, The venues will be booked when a meeting time slot has been confirmed. 

Ambassadors

Each meeting aims to have 15 local residents who live, work or have a strong connection to the town. Our questions are designed so that we can recruit a diverse groupl that can represent each town accurately. 

What is the project about?

Over the past two years, Light Up the Town has grown into a much‑loved annual highlight attended by nearly 3000 people. In 2025, the light shows toured across seven towns, where historic buildings were transformed with projection artworks co‑created by local residents.  

In 2026, the project expanded further, as Suffolk artist Henry Driver transformed churches with Water Portals, an interactive video artwork exploring hidden microbial worlds. Alongside this, community workshops, lantern displays and a guided folklore Light Walk brought people of all ages together. This year also saw the unveiling of a permanent glow‑in‑the‑dark mural at Brandon Heritage Centre, co‑created with local young people from Teen Chill and the Breckland Astronomical Society members, now a lasting legacy for the town.

Light Up the Town will celebrate local creativity through large‑scale illuminated artworks, participatory workshops, and a programme of events designed to bring people in West Suffolk together in joyful, accessible ways. Happening in January and February,  the event uses these transitional months to focus on climate adaptation and the local environment, at a time when the landscape is dormant. Attendees say  “The environmental theme draws people together” and “the theme is good because it is something you wouldn’t normally see”.

What to expect

• The group meeting will take place in a private meeting room. 
• Refreshments will be provided throughout. 
• The MarketPlace Arts team will present the project’s aims and vision. 
• On a screen, the MarketPlace team will go through the potential options for activities that could be offered, inviting a group discussion.
•  Ambassadors are not expected to have prepared any thoughts or opinions – no prior research is necessary. 
• We welcome all forms of feedback. It is important to us that this project feels exciting and relevant to local residents. This might mean being critical of some ideas or suggestions. This is important for us to hear and we welcome it.
• We don’t expect you to speak ‘on behalf’ of local residents. We invite you to bring your lived experience, knowledge of local services and events to the discussion.. 

Access information 

• We will leave feedback forms which will give ambassadors the option to leave anonymous feedback in case they would prefer to share thoughts anonymously following the meeting.
• The meeting takes place in a meeting room with backed, armless, chairs.
• The meeting will take place in private rooms in community centres and we expect that some background noise from other activities on site might be heard.
• All information will be shared via a powerpoint presentation which includes pictures, video and descriptions of activity. If you would like a copy of this in advance, please let us know and we can get this to you

Why is a group meeting happening? 

The ambassadors have been invited by MarketPlace Arts to represent their communities in the decision making process for this project. MarketPlace is proud to be part of the Creative People and Places programme, developed by Arts Council England with support from National Lottery funds. This initiative supports people in creating cultural activity right where they live.

We produce a wide range of creative projects all year round. From all day festivals, to art installations, creative workshops, theatre or storytelling; there’s something for everyone. Every project is co-created with the communities they’re happening in, ensuring authentic and meaningful experiences for all. For this project, the group meeting is one part of our co-creation process. 

Will I be paid? 

Ambassadors will receive £25 to cover expenses for their time in and travel to the meeting. This will be facilitated through bank transfer. Please let us know if receiving a payment presents an issue for you – for example if you are in receipt of universal credit or work allowances. 

What experience/ qualifications do I need to apply?

No qualifications or experience are necessary. We would like to make this process as accessible as possible – if there are reasonable adjustments we can make to support your application and involvement we welcome the discussion, please email Maddie on [email protected] . You don’t have to know about arts and culture, or have attended one of our events before – we want to hear from local people who can tell us about what their life is like in their town. You might have lived/worked in Brandon, Mildenhall or Newmarket for 3 months or for 30 years. You might be a teacher, a charity shop volunteer, a cleaner or a baker. You might be looking to learn more about arts and culture or you might just know a lot about your town. You might have never done something like this before! We would love to hear from you.

What happens next?

The group meeting will inform the decision making for what events are offered, where and how. The MarketPlace Arts team will use the feedback from ambassadors to make a programme of events that best meet the need and requests from the meeting.  You will be invited to join us for Light Up The Town in 2027. We welcome suggestions and feedback outside of the meeting and would like to build a relationship with all ambassadors. 

Want to know more?

If you would like to hear more about the project or discuss the opportunity, please email Maddie (Creative Producer of Light Up The Town) at [email protected]. No question is too big or small. 

Reimagining Wisbech’s historic Market Place through contemporary photographic portraits, the project draws inspiration from Alfred Balding’s 1887 painting in the Wisbech and Fenland Museum’s collection, to produce a vibrant, collaborative installation celebrating the town’s diverse residents. The project is a powerful narrative of Wisbech’s living history, bridging past and present by celebrating the community’s rich diversity and ongoing story.

Between April and October 2025 we toured community groups, businesses and the streets of Wisbech to meet and photograph as many people as we could! Using Balding’s painting of Wisbech market place as a talking point we chatted to people about the market place, its history and heritage, and the people of the town, past and present. It was a wonderful experience to hear so many stories and memories from the town’s residents as we collected the portraits of all the people we interacted with. We also commissioned a model of Wisbech market place to be made, designed by scale artist Jess Wright and co-created with Wisbech Shedders & Fixers group. This not only included an intricately detailed rendition of the market place, complete with contemporary and historic shop fronts, but also miniature wooden figures of the 134 portrait subjects to sit inside the model! 

The stunning portraits of the town’s residents taken by award-winning photographer Steve Hatton of Electric Egg were then presented together with the original painting and the model of Wisbech market place at an exhibition in Wisbech & Fenland Museum between Wednesday 25th February and Saturday 7th March. It was fantastic to see so many of the portrait subjects come along to the exhibition to see their photographs displayed as well as marvel at their miniature selves and put them Centre Stage in the model! 

The model has now commenced its tour around Wisbech. It was housed at Wisbech Library between Wednesday 11th March and Saturday 21st March and has since moved onto its new temporary home at:

Cambridge Science Centre, Horsefair Shopping Centre

Between:

Wednesday 25th March and Thursday 30th April

Opening hours:

28th March to 4th April (Easter Holidays) Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10:30am – 2:45 pm.

4th April to 30th April (term time) Public opening Saturdays 10:30 am – 2:45 pm.

Visitors are encouraged to interact with the model by moving the figures around and taking their own snapshot! Tag us in your photos on Instagram @marketplacearts @electricegg @small_but_wrighty.

Steven Hatton & Electric Egg

Steven Hatton is an award-winning photographer, filmmaker and co-founder of creative production company Electric Egg. Recurring themes in his, and Electric Egg’s work are the connection between people and place and exploring social and historical narratives.

Portraits: Steven Hatton, Electric Egg

Lighting and Production Assistant: Kieran Hill, Electric Egg

Jess Wright

Jess trained at Plymouth University (Fine Art) and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (Theatre Design) and has worked for theatres, TV and film for set design and prop making before returning to her creative art practice. Jess exhibits across the South West and runs workshops for both adults and children.

Shedders & Fixers Wisbech

Shedders & Fixers enjoy working with other groups and being part of our local community, helping out as much as they can.

With very many thanks to the following groups/businesses for taking part in this project:

Sally Tabor and The Shedders & Fixers Team, The Damsons Group and the National Trust Team at Peckover House, Youths of Fenland, People & Animals/Wisbech Community Farm, Port of Wisbech, Luxe Cinema, Wisbech Society and Preservation Trust, The Ferry Project, Elgoods Brewery, Sunlounger Travel Agents, the traders of Wisbech market, Wisbech Library. Wisbech Castle.

Peruse quality, artisan makes at our Makers’ Market. Get creative with our packed timetable of bookable creative workshops. Listen to a fascinating talk by Mary Schoeser – a renowned expert archivist, curator and historian in the fields of textiles and wallpaper. FenCreators: Weekend of Making will be a highly sociable, creative way to banish any winter blues.

Photo credit M & D Crafts

Come and shop an exciting array of quality creations made by local makers and creatives. The Hall at King Edward Community Centre will be awash with creativity on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February. With artisan makes including pyrographic portraits, hand-woven baskets, jewellery, stained glass creations, works in wood, and eco-resin plant pots on offer, we invite you to admire, peruse, and purchase bespoke pieces to give as gifts, or keep for yourselves.

Our Stallholders

Jill Fordham & Paul Fordham – Jill creates stained glass and lamps. Her business is called Hurdy Gurdy. Paul makes prints, cards and Fantasy Fenscapes

Tereza McDermott – Pyrography pet/animal portraits

Immi Calderwood – Lady Bricks Silver – hand-made silver jewellery

Julie Shortland – Stained glass panels specialising in birds

Rich Cartwright – Fen-based sculptor of wood specialising in birds and natural subjects

Glenys Newton – Hand-woven basketry

Linda & Sarah – M&D Crafts – based in March and specialising in handmade jewellery

Judy Dawson – Denim bags, aprons, notebooks and other creations

Kathy from The Quirky Shroom – Eco resin ornaments – from ghosts and giant skulls to wax burners and plant pots

Mike Holmes – Mike runs Marlin Woodcraft, creating and selling items such as pens, tools, utensils, cars and trains

Dave Nunnery – Dave runs Salt and Timber, featuring handcrafted driftwood & reclaimed timber art — inspired by the sea and land all shaped by hand.

Gill Simons – Gill is from Suffolk Quilts and Quirks.

Photo credits: Tereza McDermott, Imogen – Lady Bricks Silver, Rich Cartwright, Julie Shortland, Judy Dawson, Jill Fordham – Hurdy Gurdy, Paul Fordham, Glenys Newton

What better way to connect with your community, enjoy some time in the company of like-minded adults and learn new skills?

Saturday 31 January

King Edward Community Centre: Room 1	King Edward Community Centre: Room 2	Vermuyden Room, Chatteris Library
10am-1pm Asemic Hurufi and Letterist Painting Workshop with Asim Khairdean Book here	10am-12pm Stained Glass with Jill Fordham Book here	10am-12pm Rush Weaving Demonstration with Lynne Shimell Book here
2pm-3.30pm Conversations with Clay with Sarah Strachan Book here	2pm-4pm Weaving with Linda Blissett Book here	12.30pm-4.30pm Rush Weaving Workshop with Lynne Shimell Book here
	4pm-6pm Creative Writing with Holly Trundle Book here

Saturday 31 January continued

Savage Studios	Church of St Peter & St Paul
10am-12pm Pencil sketching with Ric Savage Book here	11am-1pm Bricstan Concert Band – open rehearsal Drop in – no need to book & Cromwell College – young artists’ exhibition Drop in – no need to book
2pm-4pm Soft pastels with Ric Savage Book here	2pm-3pm English Artist-Designed Textiles, c.1905-1945 Keynote talk by Mary Schoeser, FRSA Tickets cost £5 Buy here
	3pm-4pm Cromwell College – young artists’ exhibition Drop in – no need to book

Sunday 1 February

Church of St Peter & St Paul	King Edward Community Centre: Room 1	King Edward Community Centre: Room 2
	11am-2pm Kené Pattern Making with Karen Avilez Book here	10am-12pm Paper Cactus Making with Ann Bellamy Book here
1pm-4pm Cromwell College – young artists’ exhibition Drop in – no need to book		1pm-2.30pm Visible and creative mending with Steph Norwood Book here
	3pm-5pm Mindful watercolour with The Wild Hub Book here	3pm-5pm Beginners punch needle with Jen Walker Book here

We welcomed over 1,200 residents and visitors for a vibrant, free two-night celebration of light art celebrating the natural world.

Across the 3 towns, each local church played host to a striking immersive installation by internationally recognised West Suffolk artist Henry Driver. The interactive video artwork invited visitors to explore the hidden microbial worlds within rivers, lakes and seas. Visitors of all ages took part in hands-on projection workshops and video games created by the artist, creating a lively and inclusive atmosphere that encouraged creativity and learning.

Much of Henry’s work is inspired by coming from a farming family and witnessing the effects of climate change on the industry. Water Portals was created through discussion and collaboration with leading scientists Dr Pinnegar, Dr Kroeger, Dr Mayes & Dr Jenni Rant from the Centre for Environment Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, at the University of East Anglia. Solar energy powered the production of the project.

Henry Driver, exhibiting artist shared:

“As someone who grew up and lives in the West Suffolk countryside, I’m incredibly proud to be part of Light Up The Town, and I was thrilled to show my artwork and video games as part of it.”

Luke McDonnell, the mural artist, said:

“Working on the mural in Brandon was an absolute pleasure. I adore projects like this as they essentially enable you to dig up historic and cultural treasure! I spanned generations when accruing inspiration from the community, from ‘Teen-Chill’ all the way to a 90 year old local astronomer.

During my time painting I was able to converse with all the locals who were incredibly complimentary and encouraging. They brought cups of tea, cakes and sausage rolls throughout the week. I heard conversations about the mural and took a lot of joy from hearing local children educating themselves on the likes of Charles Brandon, star charts, and taking interest in the heritage centre.”

On Saturday, a tractor provided by O W Wortley and Sons, farmers of the Breckland Farmers Wildlife Network, was stationed in the Market Square and illuminated with hundreds of fairy lights, creating a striking focal point that celebrated the area’s agricultural heritage.

In Chatteris, visitors were invited to experience a captivating Community Lantern Display, showcasing a vibrant collection of lanterns handcrafted by local residents. The event marked the culmination of weeks of free community workshops led by expert artists from Light Whale International, where local people of all ages came together to design and craft an extraordinary collection of lanterns inspired by the natural world.

One of the standout achievements of the project was a spectacular 4 metre long grasshopper lantern created by Light Whale International and built with the help of dedicated local volunteers. Inspired by the Large Marsh Grasshopper, one of the UK’s biggest grasshopper species and a native of the Fens, the final piece measured an impressive 4 metres long and 2 metres high, making it roughly 80 times the size of its real-life counterpart.

Jonathon Ben-Shaul, Creative Director of Light Whale International, said:

“We have been delivering a much-loved biannual lantern parade in Peterborough for the past three years, and so it feels especially exciting to deepen our connections across the Fens. We’ve been blown away by the creativity in Chatteris, from a life-size elephant lantern to an intricate willow microbe!”

In Whittlesey, residents and visitors took part in a guided Community Light Walk along Whittlesey’s Heritage Trail. Led by Ashley Dolling, the walk retold local folklore. Participants embraced the spirit of the event by wearing glowing and illuminated outfits, from fairy lights and fluorescent clothing to inventive light-up straw bear accessories, adding to the sense of celebration throughout the town. The folklore walk route will be made available on the MarketPlace Arts website for free use.

Ashley Dolling, researcher of the community light walk:

“I was excited to support Marketplace Arts in illuminating some of the things which makes Whittlesey special, its community, history and landscape. This event literally shines a light on what we all love about the town”.

We would like to thank:

Venues:

St Mary’s Pathway Church Whittlesey, Chatteris Parish Church, St Peter’s Church Brandon and Brandon Heritage Centre

Artists and collaborators:

Henry Driver, Luke McDonnell, Brandon Leisure & Health Hub Teen Chill, Light Whale International, Ashley Dolling, Hugh Lodge of Breckland Astronomical Society and O.W. Wortley & Sons Ltd of the Breckland Farmers Wildlife Network

Supporters: 

Brandon Town Council, Seasons Garden Centre Chatteris, Cromwell Community College

About Henry Driver

Henry Driver is an artist based in Suffolk. He has shown artwork across the world in; Japan, Canada, Australia and beyond. Henry’s artworks, videogames and installations aim to connect people to the environment. His work explores how to combat the climate crisis by presenting achievable responses to this. Much of Henry’s work is inspired by coming from a farming family and witnessing the effects of climate change on the industry.

www.henrydriverartist.com

Instagram:@HenryDriver

About Light Whale International

Light Whale International create community-focused lantern parades, installations, and workshops. Using storytelling, music, and street theatre, the group brings local histories to life through large-scale illuminated spectacles. Their work has featured at Illuminate Bermondsey festival, Tonnerre S’Éclaire in France and Light Up Eye Village.

www.lightwhaleinternational.com

Instagram: @LightWhaleInternational

About Luke McDonnell

Luke McDonnell is a mural artist with 20 years experience. He is an experienced Street Artist, Illustrator and Graphic designer. He is Managing Director at Chiba Creative. (www.chibacreative.com)

Instagram: @LukeMcdonnellArt

Facebook: Luke McDonnell – Street Artist, Illustrator, Graphic designer

What is Light Up The Town?

Light Up The Town is an annual light art project by MarketPlace Arts, co-created with local communities. It aims to bring people together in the blue months after the festive season, when community members might feel isolated. At this time of year, when much of the landscape is dark and dormant, we bring artworks that celebrate the local environment and the oncoming spring. Find out about what we did last year here:

Light Up The Town 2025

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.