If you’ve strolled around the streets of Soho recently, you may have noticed some rather cute Christmas lights illuminating your route. Well, they are the handy work of pupils from the local Soho Parish Primary School. With reindeers, baubles, and even a pineapple in a bow-tie (we love this so much), these Soho Christmas lights truly capture the fun, magical spirit of the season. Honestly, you can’t help but smile when you look at the designs.
The lights are the result of a collaboration between Architecture for Kids and the local school, which started last year. This year 130 pupils submitted designs, of which 14 were chosen to join the 21 from last year. Those are pretty stiff odds, but we’re sure the winning budding artists are positively beaming with pride.
The artistic kids, aged 5 to 11, hand-drew their masterpieces, all themed around Lighting and Identity of Place. The pupils used the architecture and heritage of their local communities to inspire their designs. The designs where then judged by a committee of local residents and businesses, Soho Primary School alumni students and art lead teacher, RIBA Learning, The National gallery, architects, designers, art curators, and local Councillor. Blachere Illumination UK then brought the drawings to dazzling life.
Whether you’re in the area for a bite to eat, or a few drinks, be sure to take a look to the skies.
The pupil-designed Soho Christmas lights will remain in place through to January, 2023. No doubt next year will see even more works joining them in the skies. Westminster City Council, Broadwick Soho, Bocca Di Lupo, and Soda sponsored the installation, with assistance from many other local businesses as well. Each light panel features a QR code, with links to information about the project, and advice on how to donate. And you can also see all 130 of this year’s designs, and learn more about the display, at their website.
Now, excuse us while we go start a new tradition, inspired by the lights, and seek out a Christmas pineapple…