Shaftesbury : Soho Christmas lights designed by children from Soho Parish Primary Schoo

The Soho Christmas lights have a unique theme this year involving the community. The installations have been designed by children from Soho Parish School and will light up throughout Soho's vibrant streets this Christmas from 8 November.

Hannah Peaty, art lead at Soho Parish School, worked alongside architect, Antonio Capelao and local Soho florist, Joao Rocha of Storm Flowers London, to create 21 lighting panels for this project. The designs for the lights were created by children from Soho Parish School and turned into state of the art lighting panels by Blachere Illumination UK. The panels will be fitted to lamp posts across Soho, illuminating the famous streets over the Christmas period.

Soho Parish School held a competition to choose the Christmas designs with winners by year group selected in May. The judging panel included The Royal Institute of British Architects - RIBA, The National Gallery, Shaftesbury, St Anne's Church, Storm Flowers London and Soho Ward Councillors alongside ex pupils from the school.

Westminster City Council, Shaftesbury, Soho Estates and Broadwick Soho have generously awarded funding towards the project to create the 21 Christmas panels across Soho including Archer Street, Rupert Street, Berwick Street, Brewer Street, Old Compton Street, Dean Street, Wardour Street and Frith Street.

Visitors can download a walking tour of the lights on www.ThisIsSoho.co.uk, and the long term plan is for the light panels to be added to every year. Each light panel will feature a QR code that links to information about the project and how to donate to the school.

Louise Ritchie, Headteacher, Soho Parish Primary says: 'We're delighted to be taking part in this innovative project. The children are so excited to see their art in lights, and we hope their contributions will illuminate the school's place at the heart of the community.'

Simon Quayle, Shaftesbury Director says: 'We are delighted to be a sponsor of the Soho Parish Christmas lights. The concept behind the scheme being designed by children from the school is truly special and brings a real sense of community and magic. The installations are completely unique to Soho and add to the area's creative spirit'.

Hannah Peaty, Senior Leader and Art Lead, Soho Parish Primary says: 'We're so excited to be taking part in this project, as an Artsmark Platinum school we highly value opportunities for children to engage in creative projects that will inspire and motivate them as well as serve the community. Seeing their artwork lit up around the streets of Soho will be such a Christmas gift and something to be proud of for many years to come.'

David Monson, General Manager, Broadwick Soho says: 'We are all delighted to be able to support the Soho Parish Christmas light project and will always play an active and supporting part in the local Soho community. Christmas is such a special and magical time of the year for children and to see their artwork up in lights throughout Soho will be a wonderful and memorable gift.'

VENUE: Soho Streets including Archer Street, Rupert Street, Brewer Street, Berwick Street and Old Compton Street

DATE: 8 November 2021

ENTRY: FREE

This Is Soho: https://www.thisissoho.co.uk

Soho Parish School https://www.sohoparish.co.uk/

Storm Flowers London https://stormflowerslondon.com/

Twitter/ Facebook/ Instagram: @ThisIsSoho

Twitter/ Facebook/ Instagram: @stormflowerslondon

For more information please contact Sister London: [e-mail] / 020 7287 9601