Garden City Lights
2020
Friday 17th and Saturday 18th January 2020
Save the date to see our town centre lit up to welcome the WGC 100 years.
Created by a collaboration of artists, designers, technologists and professional lighting specialists. Produced by Vortex Events and WGC Bid, with support from the School of Creative Arts University of Hertfordshire, local arts and music groups, schools, colleges, and youth groups. It will comprise of original interactive light art installations which will form an intuitive trail set amongst the town centre’s unique and iconic landscape.
1. Tarmac
Centenary Gardens
and Bandstand
The town’s majestic worked-metal bandstand, which was a gift from Homes England to the town for the 75th Anniversary, will be washed with gently changing colours, drawing attention to its beauty, while local bands will play uplifting music.
Design: LAPD / Vortex Events
Partners: Tarmac, WGC Performing Arts Group
2. Tarmac VIP Tent / Food and Drink area
Whether it’s hot chocolate, Mulled wine, Belgium waffles or roasted chestnuts.
There is something for everyone in the Sweet food area.
Get the VIP treatment with a glass of bubbles at the centenary tent.
Design: Vortex Events
Partners: Tarmac, WGC Performing Arts Group
3. Home Instead
Whimsical Garden
Be at one with the Garden City landscape in this interactive frame and let the magic happen…
Design: Carla Piatti, Vortex Events
Partners: Home Instead
4. Wonderful welwyn
These elegantly illuminated arches will stand proud, breathing life into our Wonderful Welwyn Garden City. Located at the centre of Howardsgate, celebrating the great perspective of the town’s central avenue and its symmetrical design.
Design: Geoffrey Bean, Vortex Events
Partners: AL Marketing, WGC BID
5. Magical Fountain
Welwyn Garden City’s iconic coronation fountain, constructed in 1953 to mark the
coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Multiple jets lit up in winter colours will magically dance the night away.
Designed by: Vortex Events, Entertainment Effects
Partners: T.J. Fire & Security
6. Time to Reflect
It’s our 100th year, lets take the time to stop and reflect about the past. Then look up to a brighter future…
Designed by: Vortex Events
Partners: WGC BID
7. Kinetic Bike Race
The Howard Centre front entrance will play host to an innovative cycle race to promote the town’s healthy living credentials. Two teams will play against each other
in a light race over Howardsgate.
Design: Vortex Events
Partners: Kinetic Cycles, The Howard Centre
8. WGC 100
Welwyn Garden City is 100 years old and we’re welcoming the next exciting century with this giant sculpture, painted with light.
Design: Vortex Events
Partners: The Howard Centre
9. Kinder Light Play
Using a variety of different ultra violet materials children will have the opportunity to get crafty create their own visual artworks.
This installation will be open to children aged 3 – 10 years old (must be accompanied by a guardian at all times)
Design: Vortex Events
Partners: The Howard Centre
Lantern Parades
7 local schools have created large sculptural lanterns out of recycled materials,
as well as traditional willow and tissue paper.
Design: Route Canal Arts
Partners: Hertfordshire County Council, Welwyn Garden City Schools
Musical Howard Centre
Talented local musicians perform from this grand balcony, washing Howardsgate with an uplighting array of music and light.
Design: Zoe jasko, Vortex Events
Partners: The Howard Centre