(UK) – Graham Festenstein, Karen Van Creveld, Paul Nulty Lighting Design and Paul Pyant develop Lewes’ first festival of light, exhibiting diverse programme of installations, talks and discussions.

LewesLight is the first festival of its kind in Lewes. This year the team wish to showcase what is possible and then move on to developing the event as an annual Festival of Light promoting the town, its history, architecture and creativity (not just in the arts but in all disciplines).

The festival will take place over a two day period and will include an exhibition, talks and discussion. In the spirit of the UNESCO International Year of Light 2015 there will be as diverse a programme as possible including science, astronomy, sustainability, health and, given its special location within the South Downs National Park, environment, wildlife and the impact of lighting in such a sensitive area. Of course, it wouldn’t be a festival of light without some installations too. There will be approximately twenty buildings and sites in and around the town that will be lit. These are to be designed by professional lighting designers (all with a Lewes connection) and the equipment for these is being loaned by manufacturers; Commercial Lighting Systems, iGuzzini, Light Projects, Osram and Meyer. There will also be some Guerilla Lighting in which visitors can participate if they want to. As well as the architectural installations and those in public spaces there will also be an installation by projection artist Alex May.

As well as the participation of design professionals, this event is aiming to attract community groups and organisations. It is also intended to have a significant educational content and teachers have been encouraged to invite their students to attend as part of a STEM initiative.

Production Arts, Drama and Art and Design students from the local Sussex Downs College, will also be actively involved in both the organisational and design processes. There will also be a projection installation by the students.

LewesLight – Professional Team

Graham Festenstein A lighting designer and consultant with a practice based in Lewes.

Karen Van Creveld An independent lighting designer with more than twenty years experience. Although not based in Lewes Karen has family connections within the town.

Paul Nulty and Ellie Coombs – Paul Nulty Lighting Design Ellie is a Director at PNLD and grew up in Lewes whilst Paul Nulty himself was once a student at Sussex Downs College.

Paul Pyant Paul is an award winning theatre and opera lighting designer and long term resident of Lewes.

Alex May An internationally recognised artist exploring a wide range of digital and light technologies.

The event will take place on the 16th and 17th October 2015 and is to be based in the Linklater Pavilion within the Lewes Railway Land Nature Reserve.

www.leweslight.uk