The Lace Trees at Stockwood Discovery Centre

The Lace Trees
Stockwood Discovery Centre
15^th April – 11^th September
11am – 5pm
Suitable for all ages

The Lace Trees celebrate Luton’s cultural heritage, while symbolically weaving the different people and cultures of Luton, with the past and the future of the town. The Lace Trees are created with the people in Luton and aspire to bring nature and people together.

Working with Choi & Shine Architects with the help of Museum Makers, the project calls for local volunteers, first to crochet then to sew crochet pieces together. Skills learned from generations before connects us with the memories from the past and also with the people from the area whom we have never known. Working with people to achieve a single vision brings people together, creating a true sense of community, while everyone shares one goal; to create a beautiful work of art for the town.

Once installed, the visitors in Stockwood will complete the artwork by writing wishes on small pieces of paper, and hanging them until the branches are full. The act of wishing transforms the art work and will be visible throughout the exhibition. The participatory and ephemeral aspect of the project creates a shared memory which contributes to a sense of place. The project evokes a sense of wonder though this unexpected encounter, which causes the viewer to stop and gaze.

This momentary pause gives us an opportunity to find the poetry around us.

The Lace Trees has been commissioned by The Culture Trust and funded by Arts Council England.