Category: Project Posts

In September 2025, MarketPlace Arts brought the Lumini to Memorial Gardens for four days of extraordinary light, colour and joy!

The inflatable Lumini sculpture, created by internationally renowned Architects of Air, offered intricate egg shaped domes which created an inspiring space of light and colour. With a bespoke design for Newmarket, visitors were invited to step inside and be immersed in radiant colour, awakening all the senses.

The Lumini created a stimulating environment that was also calming and comforting, making it the perfect space to support mental health, emotional wellbeing, and social connection. Over 1000 people entered the Lumini and experienced this FREE magical, dreamlike world of domes and radiant light.

There were over 23 hours of free workshops by local artists and community groups in and around the Lumini, including:

• Singing For Fun by Newmarket’s Music Builds Communities inside the Lumini
• Still Life drawing sessions with Jasmine of Brush and Bloom
• A meditation session for over 16s with Newmarket Meditation Group inside the Lumini
• Crochet with Robyn of Newmarket Knit and Natter
• Chair Yoga sessions from Calm with Nicole 
• A sold-out sound bath from Sound and Ground
• Drumming Circles with Newmarket’s New Samba band
• Herbal Tea Tasting and Bird Feeder Making by Project Abundance

“People were wowed as soon as they walked in. (The event was) very inclusive and all ages from 7 yrs to 70 were engaged. (It was) really welcoming and the rows of trees gave a festival vibe.” –
Anthony, Newmarket New Samba.

Outside the Lumini, Memorial Gardens was buzzing with free activities across all 4 days. Visitors who were just stumbling upon the event were invited to try out:

• Zine Making at the co-created Illustration Station by Yve Ward, a local illustrator.
• Cloud Painting, responding to the collection at The National Horse Racing Museum. This partnership enabled us to offer free tickets to the museum to those taking part in the activity, resulting in £500 of free tickets being gifted to local people – many of whom had never been to the museum before.
• Birdwatching with binos from the RSPB that were free to use at any point
• Meditation, grabbing a seat in a deck chair and listening to a guided meditation written specifically for the gardens by Janine Tandy. You can listen to this below:

• A rag bunting station where people could add to the colourful textile take over made by the Knit and Natter group through adding rags to bunting across the park
• A Wellbeing Walk co-created with Newmarket Community Nature Reserve to explore the re-wilded green spaces of the town – see the route here.

Those who came will remember the amazing yarn bombing on view across the park, which was created by members of Newmarket Library Knit and Natter group.

This event was shaped by a community panel of local residents who co-designed the programme to reflect local interests and needs. We would like to thank Alan, Meera, Nicole, Janet, Mark, and Jill for their time and support. 

“As someone who is active in supporting the wellbeing of our local community, I feel privileged to be part of this exciting project.”
Panellist Nicole Smith.

The Lumini was generously supported by Newmarket Town Council.

The project is currently in the research and development stage where our fantastic young volunteers are deciding on what kind of project to do. We talked about the issues and challenges these young people are facing and ways we could make a small change in Wisbech to impact the community positively. There was a general consensus of making an improvement that would benefit the young people in the area. They also decided to open out the decision making process to a wider audience so if you’re aged between 12 and 25 and want to contribute your ideas let us know which project you’d like to see happen!

Options proposed are: 

• Environmental improvements – creating a community garden and/or big piece of public art – this could include graffiti workshops so the participants can contribute to the final piece.
• Creating a covered structure on Lime Avenue for the community to gather in together – with possible creative activities taking place

Fill out the form below to submit your vote and we’ll be in touch with how you can join in or see the completed project later this summer.

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Age *

Postcode

I would like to see… *

• Environmental improvements like a new garden or large scale mural
• A covered structure for the community to spend time doing creative activities
• Other (use the box below to suggest something else)

Select one of the above choices to have your say on what we create together

Other idea

Submit

Future Roots offers:

• A chance to support real change in your community
• Flexible sessions to fit around study/work/social commitments
• Transferable skills that will look great on your cv and boost your employability
• Interested in joining the project? Got questions? Email [email protected]

Create, connect, calm: mindfulness and friendship through art

15 weeks of free, inspiring workshops in your Fenland community. From sewing to filmmaking, there’s a range of activities for all skill levels, guided by professional artists. Enjoy a welcoming, sociable atmosphere that fosters new friendships and community connections. Come as you are, work at your own rhythm, and let your creativity flourish in a safe and supportive space.

The workshops are open to individuals aged 18 and above and cater to all skill levels, from complete beginners to enthusiasts. Regular participants will have the opportunity to shape the programme, exhibit their work locally, and help run creative activities at local events.

The project has blossomed from the successful pilot of quilting workshops in Chatteris which we introduced, following requests from the local community. This is a Creative Lives Know Your Neighbourhood Project funded by UK Government and Arts Council England.

Sessions run from September to December 2024. 

We’d love people to attend as many sessions as possible, but workshops will also work as standalone sessions, so don’t worry if you can’t make them all or if you’re only interested in particular sessions.