Light the South Art Trail 2024
From July 2024 get ready to explore Southampton and Cowes like never before! Discover 40 8ft lighthouses, and 40 mini lighthouses on the Light the South art trail.
Designed by some of the UK’s most talented artists, schools, and community groups, these unique sculptures will take you on a cultural tour of Southampton and Cowes on the Isle of Wight, letting you discover and engage with our region like never before!
Family friendly trail
Our lighthouses will form a family-friendly trail of discovery for both local people and visitors to enjoy and explore. This outdoor trail is open to everyone, and we hope that as many people as possible will explore all or parts of the full accessible trail.
Like real lighthouses, each of our lighthouse sculptures is unique through its design and sponsorship by a business or individual.
Events
A beacon of art and showcase of talent
With the Southampton art trail 2024, we invite you to witness the radiance of Southampton and Cowes as they sparkle with artistic brilliance featuring artists from not only across the south coast, but from all over the UK.
The adventurous trail will shine a light on Southampton and Cowes as a place to visit, work, and play, whilst injecting fun and colour to the streets. Join us as we connect hearts, and paint a vibrant tapestry that proudly represents the spirit of Southampton and Cowes.
Meet our Artists
Become a lighthouse keeper for the summer!
Be a Light the South trail-maker – help us look after the lighthouses this summer and play a crucial part in raising funds for Southampton Children’s Hospital.
We’d like enthusiastic volunteers to become the ‘faces’ of Light the South – people who know Southampton and Cowes well and want to celebrate these unique places with the many thousands of visitors that will walk the trail this summer. As a Light the South volunteer, you’ll interact with members of the public, help with fundraising and raise awareness of the work of Southampton Hospitals Charity and the Children’s Hospital.
- Lighthouse keepers – walking the trail and giving the sculptures a quick wash and brush up to keep them gleaming all summer long.
- Farewell Event hosts – chatting to visitors about the sculptures and the charity; looking after the merchandise stand; cleaning and tidying up the exhibition area.
- Grand Auction – helping set up for the event; welcoming guests; auction bid spotters; helping clear up afterwards.
Volunteer Duties
Download an application form and help us to Light the South!
Volunteer roles are covered by the Charity’s Public Liability Insurance.
Apply now!
The sculptures
Winner – 2023 2023 Year of Culture Project, Leeds Compassionate City Awards
Finalist – Best Arts or Cultural Event, New Zealand Events Awards 2023
Finalist – Best Use of Event or Community Fundraising Initiative, Scottish Fundraising Awards 2023
Community Initiative of the Year, IOM Newspapers Awards for Excellence 2022 – Hospice Isle of Man
Special Recognition Award, Kent Charity Awards 2022 – Heart of Kent Hospice
Campaign of the Year, Scottish Charity Awards 2022 – Leuchie House
Commendation – Mobile/App Design Award, Scottish Design Awards 2022 – Blue 2
Finalist – NZEA Best Event Creative 2021 – Publica
Silver – Gov Design Awards 2021 – RCH Foundation & Alexander Know
Bee in the City, Manchester – Best Event, Manchester Culture Awards 2019
Winner – Event of the Year, PPA Scottish Magazine Awards 2019
Best Event of the Year, PR Moment Awards 2019
Finalist, Family Event of the Year, Norfolk and Suffolk Tourism Awards 2019
Glasgow Inspiring City Awards, Art and Culture Award Winner 2019
Bee in the City, Manchester – App of the Year, Prolific North Awards 2019
Sally-Ann Wilkinson – Manchester BEE Award, Inspiring Women Awards 2019
Event of the Year and Charity Award Finalist, PRCA Dare Awards 2019
Best Not-for-Profit Event, New Zealand Events Association Awards 2018
Best Art Event / Exhibition, CityLife Awards 2018
Leading Live Event, This is Manchester Awards 2018
People’s Choice Award, Norfolk Arts Awards 2018
Special Recognition Award at Sheffield Business Awards 2017
Best One Off Event, New Zealand Events Association Awards 2015
Best Event or Festival, Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards 2015
Tourism Event of the Year, Bristol Tourism and Hospitality Awards 2013
Tourism Event of the Year, English Riviera & South Devon Tourism Awards 2013
Finalist, Australian Event Awards 2013
Sculpture Sponsor
Get involved!
Join us as we embark on a captivating adventure, unveiling hidden treasures and cultural wonders that makes Southampton and Cowes shine.
Get involved with this unique and creative event to promote your business, drive customers to your door, and support one of Southampton and Cowes much-loved charities.
- Be part of an event which brings thousands of visitors to your local community.
- Improve brand awareness for your business or organisation in a unique and memorable way that will get everyone talking.
- Build a feel-good factor among your employees, customers and stakeholders.
- Align your business with a well-respected local charity which provides vital services for people in your local community.
Stay in the know…
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A Wild in Art Event
Wild in Art is the leading producer of spectacular public art events and creative projects which enrich, entertain, inform and connect communities – giving people of all ages a voice through art.
Find Out More
Join the conversation
#LightTheSouth
lightthesouth
204 608
Southampton Hospitals Charity present an incredible art trail summer ‘24
Let us know your thoughts- Survey link below
lightthesouth
Oct 4
Treasures of the South – SOLD! …
lightthesouth
Oct 4
All the Light We Can See – SOLD! …
lightthesouth
Sep 28
📣We want to hear from you!
To be in with a chance of winning a family day ticket to Paultons Park🎢 simply complete our impact survey on the link in our bio!
#LighttheSouth …
lightthesouth
Sep 25
Tell us what you loved 😍- or didn`t🫣!
We would love to hear from you about your visit to the Light the South trail.
To be in with a chance of winning a family day trip to Paulton`s Park complete the following survey!🎢
https://forms.office.com/e/sw6LNfLaBN
#LighttheSouth …
lightthesouth
Sep 24
We know you must be missing the beautiful sculptures as much as the Light the South team from Southampton Hospitals Charity UK
🧐Take a look back at some behind the scenes images from the trail!
#LighttheSouth #BehindtheScenes …