Lighthouse Art Trail and Creative Workshops Set to Shine Across Plymouth
Plymouth is set to shine in summer 2026 as St Luke’s Guiding Lights brings a spectacular public art trail to the city, transforming streets, waterfront spaces and neighbourhoods with a series of beautifully designed lighthouse sculptures.
Running from July to September 2026, the free trail will feature eye-catching lighthouse artworks created by local and regional artists and proudly sponsored by Plymouth businesses. Designed to be accessible, family-friendly and easy to explore, the trail will invite residents and visitors alike to rediscover Plymouth on foot while engaging with art in public space.
At its heart, Guiding Lights is about far more than art. The lighthouse theme was chosen for its deep symbolic resonance and strong connection to Plymouth’s maritime identity, including its relationship with Smeaton’s Tower on the Hoe. Traditionally, lighthouses provide guidance, reassurance and safety for those navigating difficult waters — a powerful metaphor for the role St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth plays for patients and families facing the challenges of life-limiting illness.
Art with purpose: a Wild in Art trail
The project is delivered in partnership with Wild in Art, the internationally recognised organisation behind some of the UK’s most successful public art trails. Known for creating large-scale, colourful events that enrich, entertain and connect communities, Wild in Art projects have been proven to boost wellbeing, encourage outdoor activity and draw thousands of visitors into towns and cities.
In Plymouth, the Guiding Lights trail will engage schools, community groups, artists and businesses while raising awareness of St Luke’s work and the importance of compassionate end-of-life care. The trail will also encourage people to get moving outdoors, explore different parts of the city and experience art in an informal, welcoming way — whether they are regular gallery-goers or discovering creative experiences for the first time.
Seeing St Luke’s as a “guiding light” reflects the charity’s wider commitment to shining a beacon of compassion across Plymouth, South West Devon and East Cornwall. Alongside clinical care, St Luke’s works closely with families, carers and other health and care professionals to ensure that people receive the best possible support at the end of life, and that no one has to face dying in distress.
Beacons, Bubbles and Brush: Paint Your Own Lighthouse Workshops
Ahead of the trail’s arrival in 2026, St Luke’s is inviting people to get involved early through Beacons, Bubbles and Brush – Paint Your Own Lighthouse, a series of creative workshops designed to bring the spirit of Guiding Lights to life.
These relaxed, joy-filled sessions offer participants the chance to paint their own pottery lighthouse figurine to take home — a personal memento inspired by the trail itself. The workshops are led by the artists working on the Guiding Lights sculptures, offering a unique behind-the-scenes connection to the project while supporting St Luke’s vital work.
Each session includes:
A pottery lighthouse figurine to paint and personalise
All paints, brushes and materials
Step-by-step guidance from a friendly creative team
A complimentary glass of prosecco or fizz (session-dependent)
The warm glow of knowing your ticket supports local end-of-life care
Whether you’re an experienced painter or simply looking for a memorable creative experience, the workshops are designed to be welcoming, sociable and accessible — with both adults-only evenings and family-friendly sessions available.
Workshop dates and times
Adults-only evening sessions
Perfect for a creative night out with friends, colleagues or a partner. All the information can be found here.
Tuesday 27 January
19:00 – 21:00
Tuesday 10 February
19:00 – 21:00
Thursday 09 April
19:00 – 21:00
Thursday 21 May
19:00 – 21:00
Each adult session includes a complimentary glass of prosecco.
Family-friendly sessions
Ideal for a creative activity during the Easter holidays, giving younger artists the chance to get involved too.
Thursday 09 April 2026
🕐 13:00 – 15:00
🕓 16:00 – 18:00
Family sessions include a complimentary glass of fizz for adults and are suitable for a relaxed, shared creative experience.
Spaces for all workshops are limited and booking in advance is essential. Family-friendly sessions have been scheduled to ensure children and young people can enjoy the experience, while adult-only evenings offer a more social, laid-back atmosphere.
About St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth
Founded in 1982, St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth provides specialist end-of-life care for people across Plymouth, South West Devon and East Cornwall. Alongside its 12-bed specialist unit at Turnchapel, St Luke’s delivers extensive care in people’s homes, hospitals and nursing homes, supporting more than 300 patients and their families at any one time and over 1,500 people in the community each year.
It costs over £13.6 million annually to run St Luke’s services, with only around 30% funded by government support — meaning community fundraising and events like Guiding Lights play a vital role in sustaining care. Guided by values of professionalism, respect, compassion and integrity, St Luke’s is committed to ensuring dignity, comfort and support for patients and their loved ones when it matters most.
More information about the full St Luke’s Guiding Lights art trail will be announced soon.
For enquiries:
info@stlukes-hospice.org.uk
01752 401172
#StLukesGuidingLights
