Chester Designed by Nature: Spring Blooms

Saturday 19th February - Thursday 31st March

Chester city centre is set to bloom early this spring. Follow our curated art trail to some of the city’s most beautiful and atmospheric corners to see the work of local and regional artists and take part in a variety of pop-up activities for all the family.

Created as part of the Chester Designed by Nature initiative, each installation has been inspired by various aspects of nature, from honeycomb to blossom, tree roots to birdsong.

As you explore these artists’ amazing interpretations of the everyday, while away the hours enjoying Chester’s sights along the way.

Funding to provide the services in this project is provided by the Welcome Back Fund (WBF). WBF is managed by Her Majesty’s Government and is supported by the European Regional Development Fund.

The project is receiving more than £300,000 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.

Be Inspired

Redesigned By Nature

‘Redesigned by Nature’ is a playful opportunity to rewild the iconic Eastgate Clock using Augmented Reality on your phone.
What's On?

A series of exciting, creative events will be taking place at the Nest and across the city as part of the Spring Blooms programme.
Crossroads Honeycomb

Crossroads Honeycombs was inspired by the repetitive patterns seen in nature. Based upon honeycomb shapes, the work is found draping across some of the city’s famous architecture and filling in the spaces between.
Murmuration

A bird murmuration that will float amongst the trees and bandstand by the river. Spectators can take their seat on the benches and look up at the birds, as if watching a performance.
Shop Front. Night Camera. Animal

Night camera footage of nocturnal activity will be shown in shopfronts in Chester city centre. The footage captures glimpses of foxes, badgers, mice, hedgehogs, deer and beavers.
Spring on Stage

Spring on Stage is inspired by the vivid colours and patterns of insects which are seen in the spring season. Showcasing the amazing colour in nature and playing with the scale of bugs, creating an immersive and bold stage structure.
Arizical

The Arizical is a contemplation space inspired by organic networks, like those of fungi mycelium, plant roots and nerve synapses. A labyrinth that visitors can journey through, the Arizical is a portal and a place of transformation.
Hanami Cherry Blossom Bus

One Life Artists invite you to get involved and join them in celebrating the arrival of Spring with the hope that this year we will be able to gather, connect, view and create Cherry Blossoms.