Longbridge Light Festival 2016, The shadow Factory / by Claire Farrell

Longbridge Light Festival 2016, The Shadow Factory

2016's Longbridge Light Festival attracted an audience of 6,000 people, attending the one night event to explore temporary and permanent artworks illuminating the outdoor spaces and unusual venues across Longbridge Town Centre. 

The festival included a community parade with over 150 people taking part, pop up theatre, performances by young people, community groups and participatory workshops and activities for all ages, as well as a market full of award-winning street food and crafts stalls! 

Artists based in Birmingham, London, Liverpool, America, Spain and Germany created and presented a series of light and art installations across the town centre in response to Longbridge and the festival theme 'Shadow Factory'. This theme was a historical reference to the nationwide Shadow Factory Scheme developed to aid production for the Second World War. Part of the Longbridge Car Factory was said to have been painted to resemble terraced houses and streetscapes from the air by local artists, and the scheme was led by Lord Austin, founder of the Austin Motor Company.

For more information about the festival visit www.LongbridgeLightFestival.co.uk