Students Showcase Sculptural Skills in Citywide Lantern Project

First-year Level 3 Art & Design students contributed to bringing this year’s Arboretum Glow Event to life, taking part in a hands-on sculptural workshop delivered by Lumo ahead of half term. The students created a series of striking papier-mâché peacock sculptures, which were proudly showcased in the parade at the end of March, placing their creativity at the heart of a major community celebration. 

The project forms part of a wider City of Lincoln Council initiative, funded by Local Landscapes & Hidden Histories in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The aim is to connect local people with the Arboretum’s green spaces and rich history, encouraging greater community engagement and participation. 

At the centre of this initiative is the Lantern Project, a three-year programme that brings together local artists, community groups and young people. It focuses on celebrating Lincoln’s natural, social and cultural heritage, while creating opportunities for residents to take pride in and actively use their local parks. Events such as the Arboretum Glow highlight this work, showcasing everything from lantern installations to live performances, all created within the community. 

For Lincoln College students, the experience offered a valuable opportunity to collaborate and contribute to a live public event. Using soaked willow as the main structure, they carefully bent and shaped their designs before layering tissue paper to form detailed 3D sculptures. The final pieces were decorated with LED lights, transforming them into vibrant illuminated artworks for the evening parade. 

Lyndsey Johnson, Community Engagement Officer at Local Landscapes & Hidden Histories, said: “Working with local people is really important to us because the community make the event. It gives young people the chance to work with professional artists, brings families into the parks, and creates a real sense of place that everyone can be part of.” 

Through their involvement, students not only developed new creative and technical skills but also experienced the impact of their work beyond the classroom, contributing to a meaningful event that celebrated both local heritage and community spirit. 

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