The Open Road Carnival
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IW Dark Skies Exhibition Shines Light on Island’s Nocturnal Beauty
New Carnival’s IW Dark Skies Exhibition is on now in Ryde!
New Carnival’s IW Dark Skies Exhibition is currently lighting up 11 St Thomas’s Square, Ryde, with an inspiring collection of lantern sculptures and artworks exploring the beauty of the island’s night-time landscape. The exhibition runs from 4th – 8th March 2025, bringing together pieces created by New Carnival’s artists, Breakout Youth, New Carnival’s Isle of Creativity youth project, the Island Learning Centre and New Carnival’s Creative Volunteers.
The exhibition celebrates the Isle of Wight’s Dark Skies designation bid – an initiative recognising the island’s low light pollution and its importance as a haven for nocturnal wildlife. The artworks on display are inspired by the island’s night-time heritage, wildlife, and the wonder of the night sky.
Visitors have been captivated by the range of sculptures and handcrafted artworks, including a giant crescent moon and intricate moths. The craftsmanship and creativity behind the artworks have been widely praised:
“Beautifully executed”
“I just love the craftsmanship and all the hard work! So creative!”
“It’s lovely, good luck with the dark skies designation”
Alongside the exhibition, families can enjoy free drop-in craft sessions for children on Saturday 8th March from 10:30 am – 3:30 pm, giving young visitors the chance to create their own dream catcher decoration inspired by the Dark Skies theme.
The exhibition is open 10 am – 4 pm each day and is kindly supported by Ryde Town Council.
Don’t miss this stunning celebration of the island’s natural beauty and community creativity!