Westgate Street will this week play host to a unique light installation celebrating the history of architecture as part of Gloucester’s Bright Nights Festival and the Cathedral Quarter High Street Heritage Action Zone.
Windows Through Time will see a series of windows from different time periods by artist Jack Wimperis, suspended high above the street and the buildings lit in a variety of vibrant colours to highlight their architectural features.
The project, which will run from February 17- 28, will show how important windows are to the character of the buildings and how they are a vital a clue to a building’s age.
Jack Wimperis is a Gloucestershire based artist whose studio has recent produced commissions for the likes of Damien Hirst and Jamie Oliver.
Windows through time will launch with an event at the Cathedral Quarter HQ 21 Westgate Street at 6pm on Thursday (17), featuring street performers in historical costumes.
There will also be a family trail activity until February 20, with the first 50 completed trail forms receiving a voucher for a free hot drink and a Cathedral Quarter mug.
A series of tours on the history of Westgate Street is also being held by Gloucester Civic Trust along with Ghost Tours by Ghosts and Giggles.
The project is part of the programme of cultural activities organised for the Cathedral Quarter High Street Heritage Action Zone, a £1.9 million heritage led regeneration project funded by Historic England and the city council.
Bright Nights which takes place until March is set to light up the city with a series of illuminated artworks and is a joint initiative between the city council, Gloucester Culture Trust with additional funding from Arts Council England and Gloucester BID.
Councillor Andy Lewis, cabinet member for Culture and Leisure at Gloucester City Council, said: “The Windows Through Time lighting installation for Bright Nights is a fantastic way to showcase the beautiful architecture of our historic Cathedral Quarter. In celebrating this we will hopefully reinforce the importance of our historic buildings and sites and how they can contribute to well-being, a sense of place and make our city even more attractive to visitors, residents and investment.”
For more information visit www.cathedralquartergloucester.uk and www.visitgloucester.co.uk
