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RIVER OF ART
13-16 June 2025
A community co-created art trail along the River Holme in Holmfirth
Download the PDF map here
A bit more about each community art collaboration
Flowing. Line. Of. Wonder by Globe Arts
Terry MacCarthy in collaboration with our Saturday Art Club kids
Using previous creations, discarded fragments, abandoned beauty.
This stream of coloured glass traces a journey— from the hands of original makers, to the recycle bin at GLOBE ARTS, to the remaking table with young people, through Holmfirth’s streets, and back to the trees by the River Colne.
Created from stained and fused glass and reclaimed wire from Huddersfield Wire Supplies, this artwork sparkles with reused beauty. Young people helped hang each piece, lighting the trail with colour and joy.
After the trail, the work continues its journey at the GLOBE ARTS HOWARD ASHER GARDEN GALLERY.
This stream of coloured glass traces a journey— from the hands of original makers, to the recycle bin at GLOBE ARTS, to the remaking table with young people, through Holmfirth’s streets, and back to the trees by the River Colne.
Created from stained and fused glass and reclaimed wire from Huddersfield Wire Supplies, this artwork sparkles with reused beauty. Young people helped hang each piece, lighting the trail with colour and joy.
After the trail, the work continues its journey at the GLOBE ARTS HOWARD ASHER GARDEN GALLERY.
Our Friend Flo'
Created through The Great Outdoors project by Support 2 Recovery
with Artists and Facilitators Byron Jones and Dawn Hinchliffe, volunteer local artist Natalie Jane and participants.
At S2R we offer opportunities for people to get creative, learn new skills, improve their wellbeing as they discover The Great Outdoors. We gathered our lovely volunteer and participants together to explore the theme of Flow. Our aims, as ever, were to connect with each other and nature, to try something new, and to spend time outside.
We gathered, we walked, we talked, we sketched, we stitched, we listened, we learned, we breathed, and we created.
Making this piece for you to enjoy helped us improve our wellbeing. We hope it can help you too as you get to know our friend Flo’
We gathered, we walked, we talked, we sketched, we stitched, we listened, we learned, we breathed, and we created.
Making this piece for you to enjoy helped us improve our wellbeing. We hope it can help you too as you get to know our friend Flo’
Little Pollinators
By Sarah Branson in collaboration with RSPB and Ella’s Kitchen
Outreach work done at Barnaby’s, Greyfell & Nurtured Nurseries with under 5’s.
Family workshops at RSPB Dove Stone
Since the 1930s, 97% of wildflower meadows have vanished, leaving vital pollinators like bees and butterflies struggling. In response, Ella’s Kitchen and the RSPB aim to protect 30 million square feet of wildflower meadows by 2030.
At Dove Stone, RSPB is transforming grassland the size of 68 football pitches, already planting 6,700 plug plants.
With Forest School Leader and artist Sarah Branson, families and under-5s have explored pollinators through workshops—making seed bombs, painting, planting, and creating giant bees and flowers.
Together, we’re inspiring a new generation to connect with nature and help pollinators thrive.
At Dove Stone, RSPB is transforming grassland the size of 68 football pitches, already planting 6,700 plug plants.
With Forest School Leader and artist Sarah Branson, families and under-5s have explored pollinators through workshops—making seed bombs, painting, planting, and creating giant bees and flowers.
Together, we’re inspiring a new generation to connect with nature and help pollinators thrive.
Drawn to Nature
Kevin Threlfall in collaboration with Marsden Mechanics Art Group
Inspired by Imbolc — the ancient festival that celebrates winter’s end and spring’s first stirrings — this artwork follows the changing rhythm of the year. From budding branches to falling leaves, from rushing water to still winter skies, nothing stays still for long.
Working outdoors, the group observed how light shifts, water moves, and trees bend with the wind. Back inside, we explored ideas using continuous line drawings — one flowing line, no breaks — which were full of energy, imperfection, and quiet beauty.
The final artwork was developed by Kevin Threlfall into a banner design that celebrates the rhythm, fragility, and the quiet transitions of the natural world.
Working outdoors, the group observed how light shifts, water moves, and trees bend with the wind. Back inside, we explored ideas using continuous line drawings — one flowing line, no breaks — which were full of energy, imperfection, and quiet beauty.
The final artwork was developed by Kevin Threlfall into a banner design that celebrates the rhythm, fragility, and the quiet transitions of the natural world.
A Bloom of Jellyfish
by North Light Potters
North Light Pottery students have come together to make this collection of ceramic jellyfish wind-chimes.
We hope that the porcelain tentacles will tickle your ears and charm the centre of Holmfirth with their chimes as they dance to the flow of air chased downstream by the River Holme.
North Light Pottery students attend weekly sessions spread over 5 classes so it’s been a great pleasure to have worked on this collaboration as a whole school as part of Art in the River, exploring the Festivals theme of ‘Flow’.
For details about classes please contact Katherine:
On instagram: @northlightpotters
Email: kagreenwell@yahoo.co.uk
Or visit our website:
northlightpottery.webflow.io
Atlantic Ceramics
North Light Pottery
We hope that the porcelain tentacles will tickle your ears and charm the centre of Holmfirth with their chimes as they dance to the flow of air chased downstream by the River Holme.
North Light Pottery students attend weekly sessions spread over 5 classes so it’s been a great pleasure to have worked on this collaboration as a whole school as part of Art in the River, exploring the Festivals theme of ‘Flow’.
For details about classes please contact Katherine:
On instagram: @northlightpotters
Email: kagreenwell@yahoo.co.uk
Or visit our website:
northlightpottery.webflow.io
Atlantic Ceramics
North Light Pottery
Twilight Blooms
Shape North in collaboration with Holmfirth High School
Giant white flowers bloom beneath the skies of Holmfirth—designed by Shape North and brought to life in collaboration with students from Holmfirth High. Set among silver logs and glowing with solar twinkle lights, these luminous sculptures awaken at dusk, like stars gently scattered along the river’s path.
This striking installation captures the essence of FLOW—inspired by the River Holme and the ever-changing beauty of the Holme Valley. It reflects the rhythm of nature, the strength of community, and the creative energy shared between generations.
Let the glowing petals and shimmering logs invite you into a celebration of place, connection, and imagination—where creativity flows and light grows.
This striking installation captures the essence of FLOW—inspired by the River Holme and the ever-changing beauty of the Holme Valley. It reflects the rhythm of nature, the strength of community, and the creative energy shared between generations.
Let the glowing petals and shimmering logs invite you into a celebration of place, connection, and imagination—where creativity flows and light grows.
Flow Against the Tide
Emma McCorquadale with Own Pace Education
The young people we work with flow against the tide they are glorious and colourful. This art project celebrates young people who see the world differently. Traditionally our young people have been told they need to adapt and change to fit in whilst this project focuses championing being different, authentic and unique. We believe that children should be able to be proud of who they are and that swimming in your own stream makes life much more colourful.
The Good Ship Unity
Unity Yard
Working with Ability Options.
Youngsters popping in with parents over half term, Knit & Natter,
Unity Yard Team….especially mum!
Richard Slack with the boat base!
Rachel Smith ideas and positivity.
Jules steering the SHIP!
Our idea stems from the ‘flow’ of water that surrounds us, and water we buy and take for granted. We are not all so fortunate and need to realise that water is precious for all life!
We throw away water and plastic bottles without enough care and our recycled bottle boat ‘ The Good Ship Unity ‘ represents how even plastic can be reused and made into something good!
Our little boat is a vessel of collaboration and good spirit that can float on the flow of the river and pass on its message to all!!
We throw away water and plastic bottles without enough care and our recycled bottle boat ‘ The Good Ship Unity ‘ represents how even plastic can be reused and made into something good!
Our little boat is a vessel of collaboration and good spirit that can float on the flow of the river and pass on its message to all!!
Flo’ the Frog.
Mick Kirkby-Geddes in collaboration with
I’m not entirely sure where the idea for a really big frog came from but I did want to scale up something quite small to give it impact. I knew you’d be looking down on it, so I guess I just got carried away with the pose and character of the frog because at the end of the day I wanted it to make you smile.
The Wolf of Time
Graeme Locke, Sylvia Barry & pupils of New Mill Junior School
New Mill Junior School approached the theme of ‘Flow’ from an environmental and community perspective. Within school, pupils enjoy spending time in our woodland setting, learning new skills and developing a deeper understanding of nature; the environment and our place within it. Using found materials from around our woodland site, we have used some wood-crafting techniques to create our installation.
Tones of Holme by Asha Diveney-Clegg (2022)
(A Steve Sykes Commission)
Hand blown glass and salvaged metal. Tones of Holme creates melody with the motion of revolution. Drawing inspiration from industrial history, Tones of Holme utilises the ancient technology of the waterwheel, as the mills once did, to harness the power of the River Holme. Musical elements collated in the wheel play a river song as the wheel turns
Hand blown glass and salvaged metal. Tones of Holme creates melody with the motion of revolution. Drawing inspiration from industrial history, Tones of Holme utilises the ancient technology of the waterwheel, as the mills once did, to harness the power of the River Holme. Musical elements collated in the wheel play a river song as the wheel turns
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