BSU at Forest of Imagination 2024

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Weaving Bath Spa magic into Forest of Imagination 2024

Tonight Forest of Imagination opens its doors for its eleventh year, inviting visitors of all ages to immerse themselves in the magic of the forest. Bath Spa University has been playing its part again this year alongside many creative partners.  

The award winning, free to attend contemporary art and architecture event is taking over the Holburne Museum and Gardens from Wednesday 26 to Sunday 30 June 2024. There are creative events also popping up at Bath Royal Literary Scientific Institution in Queen Square. 

Thanks to community donations and matched funding from Bath Spa University, Grant Associates, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Egg Theatre, Creatives Now, Bath Mind and St John’s Foundation, Forest of Imagination will inspire the community again and it promises to be as beautifully formed as ever.  

We’re #BathSpaProud to be involved 

Alongside helping to fund this year’s event, Bath Spa University staff, students and alumni are involved in the creative, cultural ecology of the forest once again.  

Dr Penny Hay, Professor of Imagination at Bath Spa University said: 

"This year most schools of study and research centres at the university are involved in some way or another with both students and staff engaged in imaginative activities!

"It is exciting to see the forest growing each year and we are very grateful to the university for supporting this important work focusing on social action in the face of the ecological emergency."  

Assisting in planning and co-designing alongside the creative team, this captivating annual event provides so much to so many at Bath Spa University. Whether passions lie in biodiversity, nature, culture, art, or education, the Forest has something for everyone.  
 
Bethany Challis, second-year English Literature student, appreciates the emphasis the forest places on the value of imagination: 

“As a university student interested in pursuing a career in education and teaching, working with Forest of Imagination was very insightful. It helped me understand how we can raise awareness and provoke thought on biodiversity in an educational way that promotes imagination and creativity.

I really appreciated the emphasis on understanding and valuing our imagination as an important skill, as it can mobilize a movement or effort, and the conscious sense of agency of bringing an intergenerational community together.”  

While Dr Lucy English, Professor of Creative Enterprise and The Spoken Word, recounts how the Forest reaches across the ages:  

“The Forest of Imagination is a unique and special experience to communicate an environmental message to children and families.” 

What to expect from this year’s Forest of Imagination 

Forest of Imagination reimagines spaces inside and out, this year transforming the museum and gardens into a ring of playful, nature-inspired arts experiences.  

It offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in interactive multisensory interventions by local and international artists.  

Inspired by a ‘ring of biodiversity’, visitors of all ages are invited to think on behalf of the planet, make a difference every day and become part of ‘a million small acts’.  

A few of the many exciting things to look out for are: 

• 'Creative Education Roundtable' from 4 to 5pm on Thursday 27 June chaired by the brilliant Young Green Creators member Gracie Allen, with special guests including Bath Spa University. 
• Up-late 'Digital Forest of Imagination' from 6 to 8pm on Friday 28 June, with Adobe, artists and Bath Spa University students and staff. 

There are many more exciting biodiversity themed installations and workshops to explore, including workshops with Emerge Residents, part of House of Imagination’s Artist Network Development Programme, funded by Arts Council England 

Delivered with thanks to working in partnership 

Forest of Imagination is a partnership between Grant Associates, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, House of Imagination, and Bath Spa University, alongside the wider creative, cultural, and educational community of Bath. 

You can visit Forest of Imagination from Wednesday 26th until Sunday 30 June 2024. Find out more about what you’ll find at this year’s Forest of Imagination.