Illumaphonium: Halo Art Installation to Help Boost Newry Nighttime Economy

Already large numbers of local residents and visitors have come to experience the mesmerising special effects of the new temporary art installation, ‘Illumaphonium: Halo’, that is currently installed on Sugar Island in Newry.

On Friday 2 February, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte officially switched on the lights of this dynamic, interactive art display by Michael Davis. Created as a series of towers that feature illuminated ‘halos’, as the impressive installation came to life, everyone was enthusiastic to try it out.  Visitors were able to enjoy a sensory experience making music and an ever-evolving pattern of light as they interacted with the piece.

Funded by the Department of Communities, the installation is just one of the initiatives to encourage people into Sugar Island at this time of year. Talking about the how the arts can be used to direct people into our commercial centres, Chairperson Cllr Valerie Harte said, “The traditional high street is changing and it is important that we embrace these changes by celebrating the role art has in reinventing high streets in a way that creates social spaces people want to explore and interact with.

“I am delighted that so many have already come down to Sugar Island to see the installation and I really want to encourage anyone who has not made the trip yet to please come and while you are here, make a night of it.

“In addition to ‘Illumaphonium’ which runs until Thursday 29 February, we have a fantastic St Patrick’s Day events programme planned for Newry City Centre on Sunday 17 March followed by Newry Arts Festival, which will run from Monday 1 – Sunday 7 April. This is an exciting time for Newry and we look forward to the future.”

‘Illumaphonium: Halo’ is open each evening from 5pm -10pm until Thursday 29 February.

For more information, find details on www.visitmournemountains.co.uk.