Plans to welcome a spectacular piece of 'Earth' artwork to a Lancaster church are gathering pace.
Lancaster Priory Church is getting ready to welcome 'Gaia' from Friday June 24 to Sunday July 17.
Measuring seven metres in diameter, Gaia – the personification of the earth, according to Greek mythology – features the detailed NASA imagery of the earth’s surface.
It was produced by Luke Jerram, the artist behind the Museum of the Moon which visited the Priory in 2019.
Bristol-based, but working internationally, Jerram has created a number of extraordinary art projects over the last 21 years.
Gaia will revolve from the Priory’s rafters accompanied by events on the themes of community, nature, sustainability and home.
On Saturday, June 25, there will be stalls and stands from local environmental groups about events within the community, outside the church.
Friday nights throughout Gaia’s visit will see special music events including the popular Blue Moon Band on July 1 and a Night at the Opera on July 8. On the final Saturday night, July 16, the King’s Men choral scholars from King’s College, Cambridge will perform.
Live music will also accompany Gaia on Thursdays while Wednesdays will see guest lectures, presentations and question and answer sessions.
On Tuesday evenings, there will be opportunities to participate in Tai Chi and Qigong, and on Monday evenings, there will be yoga sessions under the Earth sculpture.
Other events planned include an art workshop, a quiz, and day-long activities with Sewing Café Lancaster and Relic Plastic.
To complement Gaia, an audio and film experience – Four Rivers – reflecting the sounds of Morecambe Bay produced by Syrian artist Aous Hamoud, will take place in St Nicholas Chapel while the Regimental Chapel will be set aside for prayer and spiritual activities.
Volunteers are needed to help steward events.
People can volunteer for a morning, afternoon or night shifts or opt for a couple of hours.
Contact steph@lancasterpriory.org for more information and to register for a briefing.
The events are supported by Lancaster BID, Oglethorpe, Sturton and Gillibrand, Mazuma, ICT Reverse and the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund.
Gaia has been created in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Bluedot and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres.
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