Lightpool

📣 Applications are now open for DigiLab   A free 5-day workshop for anyone aged 18+ looking to develop skills in projection mapping, led by Imitating the dog in collaboration with us, and hosted at our Lightworks HQ — home of Blackpool Illuminations.   🗒️ Monday 23 – Friday 27 November 2026   Participants will explore imitating the dog’s approach to site-specific projection-mapped installations, from storyboarding through to basic animation and mapping techniques.   🔗 Find out more and apply — link in bio.   🗒️ Deadline to apply: Monday 6 July, 12pm.   #DigiLab #VideoMapping #ProjectionMapping #DigitalSkills #FreeWorkshop 📷 Ed Waring

✨ Save the date! ✨ We are pleased to confirm that our Lightpool Festival will be back from 21–31 October 2026 — and this year marks our 10th anniversary! Get ready for an unforgettable October half-term as Blackpool lights up once again with a spectacular mix of stunning light installations, captivating live performances, and mesmerising 3D projection shows. Our vibrant, award-winning festival is completely free and takes place across a variety of indoor and outdoor venues, transforming the town into a dazzling celebration of light. 👀 Keep an eye out for programme announcements… including the return of some festival favourites you won’t want to miss! 💡Plus! If you are a light artist or creative we have 4 new opportunities to develop light art and get involved! Details on our website and dropping on socials this week! 🔗 Link in bio #LightpoolFestival #Blackpool #SaveTheDate #OctoberHalfTerm #LightArt

📣 DigiLab 2026 applications are OPEN! 🙌 Perfect for anyone (18+) who wants to develop skills in projection-mapping, this FREE workshop week is led by imitating the dog, in collaboration with @lightpooluk and held at Lightworks, the home of Blackpool Illuminations, from Monday 23 - Friday 27 November 2026. Participants will learn about our approach to site-specific projection-mapped installations, from storyboarding through to basic animation and mapping techniques. Find out more over on our website 👇 imitatingthedog.co.uk/digilab-2026 #LinkInBio 📅 APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY MONDAY 6 JULY, 12PM 📸 Ed Waring for DigiLab 2025 #DigiLab #ProjectionMapping #VideoMapping #DigitalSkills @lutnorth @troikatronix_isadora

📣 Calling all artists! We have 4️⃣ opportunities for this year’s Lightpool Festival (21–31 October 2026), so let’s take a moment to look back at some of the incredible commissions that have lit up Blackpool in the past. From The Wish - a colour-changing giant dandelion rising on recycled steel stems to RDB - sculptures made entirely from reclaimed electronics and powered by solar energy… to Guardians of the North, where dragons bursts into life across Blackpool Tower in a breathtaking projection display - now it’s your turn! 👇 Whether you are an established artist or just starting out, we want to hear from you. All selected artists will receive expert technical support from the Lightpool and Lightworks team. 1️⃣ Lightpool Open Call / New Commission Budget up to £20,000 (inclusive of artist fee, production, materials, fabrication & installation) Deadline: 1 May 2026, 5pm 2️⃣ Lucent Commission Up to £7,000 (production, materials, fabrication & installation) One commission reserved for Lancashire-based artists Deadline: 8 May 2026, 5pm Projection Mapping Opportunities 3️⃣ Blackpool Tower – up to £7,000 4️⃣ Wedding Chapel – £5,000 Deadline for both: 15 May 2026, 5pm 🔗 Find out more and apply: link in our bio. #LightpoolFestival #ArtistCall #CreativeOpportunities #ProjectionMapping #PublicArt @dappled.studio @thisisamyjackson @mitchellfawcett @chaney_art @hotaru_vg @antdickinson @guildhallproductionstudio @theblackpooltower @yourblackpoolwedding

Our Illuminated Ice Cream Cart made it into the Architects’ Journal! The cart was made by architectural designer Ecaterina Stefanescu and artist Samantha Jones in collaboration with the community at Grange Park for the 2024 Lightpool Festival. The project explored how collective making can open up conversations around identity, belonging, and the right to happiness. It recently featured in Manchester’s Making Matters exhibition as part of a display belonging to Other People's Dreams. Ecaterina told the publication: ‘The act of physical making is what allows the design process to be accessible and welcoming to people that might not completely understand a plan or technical drawing and can be easily adapted to be an interactive tool for communities.’ You can read the full article through the link in our bio. Photo: @richard_oughton

📣 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬! We have 2️⃣ incredible 3D projection-mapping opportunities for digital artists to join our 2026 Lightpool Festival - 21-31 October! ✨ 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 Ever dreamed of seeing your work light up the world-famous Blackpool Tower? We are looking for a UK-based digital animator to create a fun, family friendly 3–4 minute 3D projection-mapped chapter - fee up to £7,000. ✨ 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐥 We are seeking a UK-based digital artist to transform the Blackpool Wedding Chapel into a 3-4 minute immersive 3D experience - fee £5,000. 🗒️ Deadline for both: 15 May 2026 5pm. 💜 All successful applicants will receive expert technical support from the Lightpool and Lightworks team. 🔗 More details and how to apply - link in our bio. #ProjectionMapping #UKDigitalArt#ArtistOpportunity #Blackpool

⭐ Lucent Open Call! 💰 Up to £7,000 budget (production, materials, fabrication, installation costs) 📍 Local focus: One commission is reserved for artists from or living in Lancashire 📅 Deadline: 8 May 2026 at 5pm 🔗 Find out more and apply - visit the link in our bio. #OpenCall #ArtGrant #ArtistOpportunity #LancashireArtists #LightArt

✨Lightpool Open Call! 💡Do you have an idea for a brand-new light installation? UK creatives are invited to submit expressions of interest to submit an idea for a light artwork that is engaging to all age groups. Both light art professionals and newcomers can submit an idea. 💰Budget up to £20,000 (Artist fee, production, materials, fabrication, installation costs) ♻️ A focus on sustainable light art which uses green energy solutions ‼️This call is for new artworks only - let’s create something Blackpool has never seen before! 🗒️ Deadline: 1 May 2026 at 5pm 🔗 Apply using the link in our bio!

🌍 Last week, our network partners — @lightuplanc , @lightpooluk , Barnsley Bright Nights, and Illuminate Oldham — headed out to the @zagrebfestivaloflights in Croatia. Meanwhile, our friends at Light Up Wigan made the trip to @blikblik_festival in the Czech Republic. ✨ Both festivals showcased truly stunning work — packed with creativity, innovation, and plenty of inspiration. We are coming back buzzing with fresh ideas as we head into full programming for this year’s festivals! 👀 Here are just a few highlights… 📸 Images from Phil Holmes, @lightpooluk 1–4 Zagreb 📸 Images from @thingsthatgoonthings 5–10 Blik Blink

THE LANCASHIRE RIVIERA Made to be explored. After six months of meticulous research, drawing and composition… I’m so proud to finally reveal my latest large-scale artwork. A contemporary narrative illustration celebrating the Fylde Coast, from Fleetwood through Blackpool to St Anne’s, Fairhaven and Lytham, bringing together landmarks, people, culture and memories into one richly detailed visual story. Every element has been carefully illustrated and individually pieced together, creating a layered artwork designed to be explored time and time again. From iconic architecture and local legends to hidden cultural references and everyday seaside moments this is a piece that reveals something new with every viewing. Collectable Experience Each print is more than just an artwork it’s an interactive storytelling experience. Every edition comes with a beautifully produced A4 hardback companion book, featuring: • The stories behind what’s included • Hidden details and local references • A fun “I Spy” page for all ages The book is currently going to print, and all orders will be sent out with the book included as soon as they arrive over the next few weeks. 🧝‍♀️ Introducing Elfie & Elfvis This is the first piece to feature my original characters Elfie & Elfvis hidden within the artwork for you to find 👀 A little bit of magic woven into the piece. Now Live The Lancashire Riviera is now available as a series of strictly limited editions. All sizes, details and ordering can be found via my website (link in bio). Once editions sell out, they will not be reproduced. 🖼️ Framed Editions Professionally framed versions will also be available at Stella & Star, Lytham over the next few weeks following a large print delivery — perfect if you’d like to view the piece in person. ❤️ This piece is incredibly special to me — a celebration of place, people and shared memories. I can’t wait for you to explore it. Kathryn x @stellaandstarhome @visitlancashire @stannesbeachhut @visitfyldecoast @visitblackpool @theblackpooltower @blackpoolzoo @pleasure_beach @rafredarrows @relaxstannesonsea @lytham_hall @lythamstannesnews @queens_lytham @philsbakerylytham

📣 Calling all Light Artists and Creatives! We have 4️⃣ new opportunities to produce light art for our upcoming Lightpool festival (21-31 October 2026)! Swipe right to find your next project! ✨ Lightpool Open Call Do you have an idea for a brand-new light installation? We are looking for innovative, high-quality, and sustainable light artworks that will wow our audiences. 💰 Budget up to £20,000 (Artist fee, production, materials, fabrication, installation costs) 🌍 A focus on sustainable light art which uses green energy solutions ⚠️ This call is for new artworks only—let’s create something Blackpool has never seen before! 🗒️ Deadline: 1 May 2026, 5pm ✨ Lucent Lucent is our artist development initiative that celebrates big ideas from everyone - whether you’re a seasoned pro or a complete newcomer - we want to see your innovation and creativity! 💰 Up to £7,000 budget (production, materials, fabrication, installation costs) 📍 Local focus: One commission is reserved for artists from or living in Lancashire 🗒️ Deadline: 8 May 2026, 5pm ✨ Blackpool Tower Projection Mapping Ever dreamed of seeing your work light up the world-famous Blackpool Tower? We are looking for a UK-based digital animator to create a fun, family friendly 3–4 minute 3D projection-mapped chapter. 💰 Up to £7,000 ✨ Wedding Chapel Projection Mapping We are seeking a UK-based digital artist to transform the Blackpool Wedding Chapel into a 3-4 minute immersive 3D experience. Working with our Artistic Director, you will have the creative freedom to use bold graphic animation and/or video to wow a diverse, family audience. 💰 £5,000 (Covers time, creation, and event attendance) 🗒️ Deadline for both projection mapping opportunities: 15 May 2026, 5pm 💚 To turn your ideas into a reality, all successful applicants will receive expert technical support from the Lightpool and Lightworks team. 🔗 More details and how to apply - link in our bio!

💡 We have been busy at Lightworks HQ crafting two very special installations for our @lutnorth partners. It’s fantastic to see these designs go from our workshop to lighting up our neighbouring towns! 💚 Oldham - A gorgeous Oldham letter sign for Illuminate Oldham—the perfect spot for a selfie! @loveoldham and Wigan - A life-size neon tribute to a local hero, Angela the School Cook. This incredible piece was designed by 7-year-old Hallie, the winner of a schools’ competition which was showcased at @lightnightwigan in 2025. ✨Light Up The North is a network of light festivals across the North of England - as a member we join a community of producers, artists, and organisations sharing skills, knowledge, and best practice for light art! 📍Catch Hallie’s Angela the School Cook which on display now at @wiganmuseum . #LightUpTheNorth #BlackpoolIlluminations #LightworksHQ