The Tree of Light
Inspired by the theme of Illumination, Creative Royston commissioned Hertfordshire based artist Lorna Carmen McNeill to create a light installation with pupils and staff from seven Royston Schools. Over the course of six days Lorna worked with 350 children to create a hundreds of willow lanterns, garlands of flowers and a large willow tree sculpture. It was displayed for two nights at Royston Library during the first weekend of Royston Arts Festival 2015.
[photos of making the tree, making the garlands and lanterns with captions]
Lorna who lives in Hertforshire and has worked or a range of light based projects and events said:
“Participating in the Creative Royston Festival was an inspiring, wonderful experience! ….I developed the idea of a Tree of Light as a structure and sculpture which would bring together and unify the work of the children of Royston. A series of fun workshops were developed according to the age group ranging from 7-14 year olds. It was a great joy installing the final beautiful creation made up of 350 children’s creative work in Royston Library and heart-warming to watch children coming up to the window with their parents to find and show them their individual creations.”