Art / Window Wanderland
Window Wanderland returns to BS3
Back in 2015, a Bristol mum, artist and self-confessed “nosy parker”, Lucy Reeves-Khan, created the very first Window Wanderland in her local area of Bishopston.
She wanted to see if a local walking trail could inspire people to embrace their creativity, and to spread joy in the process.
“I wanted to see if something simple could make a real difference to a community and bring out people’s playful side”, she recounts. For Reeves-Khan, the real joy of the event is in its accessibility. “Anyone can participate”, she says.
One of the colourful window displays made by participants at a Window Wanderland festival – photo: Window Wanderland CIC
“It all happens right outside your front door, but even if you find it hard to get out, you can still join in. It’s all about doing as much or as little as you like, and joining in with a happy family of people who want to brighten their world!”
Since that time, the idea has garnered significant press attention and hundreds of other Window Wanderland festivals have been organised around the UK, as well as some internationally – including the Canadian cities of Toronto and Edmonton, The Hague and Voorburg in the Netherlands, and as far afield as New Zealand.
Window display ‘Hope springs eternal’ – photo: Window Wanderland CIC
At the end of February, former participant Nina Raines is bringing the trail back to Bedminster, Southville and Ashton, after a seven-year hiatus – with the suggested theme of ‘Hope’.
“I first saw a Window Wanderland festival when I was living in Bishopston”, she recalls.
Mindful creativity workshop in Bristol – photo: Window Wanderland CIC
Raines, who is a local artist and mural painter, is keen to offer help and support to those interested in taking part in the latest BS3 edition.
“I will be holding a few drop-in workshops in the lead up to the event”, she says. “You can sign up to make a display, or just come out on the night and see what other people have done. Everyone can participate.”
Window display ‘Hope, Peace, Joy, Love’ – photo: Window Wanderland CIC
In the month before the event, participants will be able to use the Bristol Children’s Scrapstore to source their materials.
And as long as it is family-friendly, there are no rules as to what can be utilised in a window display. Anything and everything is welcome, organisers say, “from a string of fairy lights to a band playing in the living room; from simple to spectacular”.
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Window Wanderland comes to Bedminster, Southville and Ashton on February 28-March 2 at 6-9pm. All generations welcome. Put yourself on the map here. Follow @windowwanderlandbs3 for updates.
Main photo: Khalid Khan
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