Community lanterns — Group participation

Community groups have always been involved in making some of the larger lanterns for the parade, Working in groups with an artist, they create and carry some of the most dramatic creations! Groups that are often involved include South Downs College, Hummingbird, The Migrant English Project, Clocktower Sanctuary, Pebbles, the Guides and many many Woodcraft Folk, to name but a few!

I feel immensely proud to have worked with so many wonderful people across our city over many lantern filled years. So I spent time looking back at all the lanterns and workshops, remembering all the different communities and people and that every lantern has a story to tell. There are many recurring shapes and characters, from suns, moons and stars to creatures, buildings and of course clocks.

I then met my fabulous hosts (to be revealed soon), and heard their plans for their next window display, which will be stunning! We connected, created and right there in their fantastic shop, our lantern Star was born!

Our star will have multiple points and will slowly turn so all its glorious sides can be seen. The emphasis and inspiration here is in the silhouettes that decorate,  a person, a friend, a family, a neighbour, a performer, a teacher, a carer, a volunteer. New born, young or old, who will you recognise in our silhouettes ? all of us have a story, a journey, we are all born under the Same Sky and we are all our community.

Shaz became part of the Same Sky team in 1992