The Forest of Imagination will return to Bath again this June, teaming up with the Holburne Museum to stage a festival of installations, workshops and sculptures designed to spark everyone’s imagination.
Taking place for its sixth consecutive year, the free four-day participatory event will invite people of all ages and from all backgrounds to experience a ‘Life Line’ of multi-sensory art installations that stretches from Laura Place, along Great Pulteney Street, to the Holburne Museum and into Sydney Gardens.
The ‘Life Line’ aims to celebrate nature as a lifelong source of creative inspiration for all, as well as encouraging people to experience the iconic places in an entirely new way, with reference to themes surrounding wellbeing, the environment and the future.
Laura Place and Great Pulteney Street will temporarily become a tree-lined promenade leading to a fantastical ‘portal’, by Piers Taylor and Charley Brentnall, at the Holburne’s entrance, inviting visitors to explore its collections, exhibitions and parkland setting.
Sydney Gardens will be re-imagined as a 21st century pleasure garden with a sustainable, temporary pavilion, along with innovative artworks and participatory workshops that extend up to the Kennet and Avon Canal.
The playful installations include works by local and international artists and involve the participation of more than 20 local schools and the support of 42 partner organisations and businesses.
Andrew Grant, Director at Grant Associates, one of the lead creative partners for the event, said: “Forest grows every year, and we’re delighted to partner with the Holburne Museum this year, with its wonderful grounds.
“Taking inspiration from the Holburne’s diverse exhibition programme, we will be staging a truly eclectic mix of inspiring and thought-provoking artworks and events.
“This is a chance for people to enjoy familiar places in Bath in a very different way, with nature brought centre stage and celebrated as a lifelong source of creative inspiration.”
Chris Stephens, Director of the Holburne Museum, added: “We are delighted to partner with Forest of Imagination in their 6th year with a creative and inclusive programme for everyone – schools, families and young people.
“I’m excited to see the connection between the city and the Museum and garden brought to life by an astonishing array of artists, architects, musicians, performers and creative thinkers.”