Creative individuals have been invited to contribute towards an art installation set to be featured within a new exhibition opening later this year.
Guiding Lights – Canopy of a Thousand Dreams at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, will showcase 1,000 hand-crafted leaves made by members of the public and local school children, attached to a large indoor tree sculpture.
In addition to being accessible throughout the day, Guiding Lights will be highlighted as part of this year’s Illuminated Arboretum experience, a mile-long winter light trail that draws thousands of visitors to the 150-acre estate.
People of all ages are being encouraged to craft leaves using materials such as fabric, card, felt, crochet or embroidery and then post them to the Arboretum for inclusion in the display.
“These handmade leaves will symbolise the pledges we make as individuals for our future, reflecting on how we can live and dream as we do because of those that have served and sacrificed on behalf of the Nation,” said Rachel Smith, Head of Participation and Learning at the National Memorial Arboretum.
“The tree they will be attached to will form the centrepiece of our new Guiding Lights exhibition that showcases creative works produced through our 2024 learning and participation programmes that are helping us pass the baton of Remembrance to the next generation.”
Designs should be a maximum of 30cm in length and double-sided as they may be visible from both sides and from many different angles.
The leaves can be of any variety, and multiple entries per person are welcome.
All contributions must be received by Saturday, 23 November.
Leaves can be hand delivered to the Arboretum, or posted to Canopy of a Thousand Dreams, National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire, DE13 7AR.
Please note that any leaves submitted will not be returned.
The Guiding Lights exhibition will be open to visitors from Friday, 6 December, coinciding with the launch of the Illuminated Arboretum light trail. It will also be viewable during the day until 31 January 2025.
For more information about the exhibition, visit the website here.
