All abilities welcome, aged 18+

Light refreshments provided and bus travel support provided where required

These are monthly sessions running through the summer. Suggested donation of £5 for those in employment, £0 for those on low wage or unemployed

This July, Trinity Community Arts presents Cast Light, a new immersive installation by internationally acclaimed artists Squidsoup, transforming the historic Pump Room at Jacobs Wells Baths into a captivating environment of light, sound and space.

Taking place on 18 and 19 July, alongside Bristol’s annual Harbour Festival, the ticketed experience invites visitors into one of Bristol’s most significant heritage buildings as it undergoes ongoing restoration during the city's annual Harbour Festival. Designed as an audience-led encounter for small groups, Cast Light offers visitors the chance to move freely through an evolving landscape of illuminated forms and spatial sound.

Recognised as pioneers in the fields of light, sound and technology-based art, Squidsoup have created large-scale works experienced by millions of people worldwide, from Burning Man to Alexandra Palace. Their installations have captivated audiences across six continents.

Cast Light is a new artwork comprising an arching arrangement   of towering columns of light accompanied by an expansive soundscape. Installed within the atmospheric surroundings of the Pump Room, the work explores ideas of scale, connection and our relationship with the natural world. The result is an experience that shifts between moments of wonder and quiet contemplation.

“Cast Light began as an exploration of scale, presence and our relationship to the environments we inhabit. The work shifts as people move through it, creating moments that can feel vast and enveloping, but also deeply personal. The title is a nod to the venue - a play on the solidity of the space and its cast iron construction of areas previously never seen before, against the fluidity of light moving through it. The artwork asks you to explore how we appear in the light, and how it transforms the space around us. The Pump Room at Jacobs Wells Baths is a space shaped by human activity and industrial history, and we’re excited to invite audiences into that conversation through light and sound in such a unique heritage site.”

- Squidsoup

The installation is situated in a space that once powered the building itself;. The Pump Room housed the furnace boilers that heated the natural spring waters flowing through Jacobs Wells Baths, making it the operational heart of the Victorian complex.

Visitors are invited to experience both the artwork and the architecture in a setting that encourages personal exploration and reflection.

As part of Jacobs Wells Baths radical citizen-led approach, Trinity Community Arts have created opportunities for local residents to inform its design and development. In recognition of the relationship with its closest members, free tickets for Cast Light will be offered to residents living in neighbouring Brandon House and St Peter’s House.

Cast Light forms part of Trinity’s Art of the Possible series at Jacobs Wells Baths, a programme that opens the site to artists and audiences during its transformation. It is one of a small number of public events taking place ahead of the building’s major reopening in 2029 as a landmark cultural venue and centre for citizen-powered arts in the South West.

The event is proudly presented as part of the Bristol Harbour Festival fringe activity.

About Squidsoup

Squidsoup are internationally recognised artists working with light, sound and digital technologies to create immersive environments and participatory experiences. Their work has been presented worldwide at festivals, galleries and public spaces, earning critical acclaim for its innovative approach to audience engagement and sensory experience.

What the critics say

“The Best Live Show in the World”

Mixmag on Squidsoup’s collaboration with Four Tet

”…a sincere and disarming electronic experience”

The Guardian on Squidsoup

Select slots will feature a live dance performance.

Event Information

Cast Light

By Squidsoup presented by Trinity Community Arts

Dates: 18–19 July 2026 | Private View 17 July

Venue: Jacobs Wells Baths, Bristol

Tickets availble via Headfirst: Booking required | £3

Saturday | Sunday

Access document can be found here

Part of the Art of the Possible series and Bristol Harbour Festival Fringe programme.

Made possible thanks to National Lottery players.

Trinity Community Arts is delighted to announce that it has been awarded £17,000 through the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch) Exhibitions Fund to support Art of the Possible: Rhythm • Flow • Resistance, a major international exhibition and site-specific activation planned for Summer 2027 at Jacobs Wells Baths.

Trinity is proud to support Bristol Refugee Festival 2026 as part of Celebrating Sanctuary, programming this year's family craft area filled with creative activities for all ages.

On Sunday 21 June, visitors are invited to join Bristol Refugee Festival for their free annual flagship event and festival finale showcasing Bristol refugee talent with live performances, activities, games, kids area, trade stalls and delicious food.

Addendees can take part in hands-on workshops, interactive installations and open-ended making, led by a brilliant mix of artists and organisations from across the city.

Junkfish bring their much-loved Junk Ball Run, a giant marble run made from colourful recycled materials, alongside a selection of oversized garden games including chess, Jenga, noughts and crosses, draughts and hoopla. It’s a space to play, explore for all ages.

We’re also working with fellow Family Arts Network partners to offer a range of creative activities. Join Let’s Make Art to design and build your own kite, inspired by ideas of freedom, hope and resilience.

Create a personalised flag with Bristol Scrapstore using recycled materials, celebrating the people, places and things that matter to you. Suitable for all ages and abilities

Let’s Make Art and Scrapstore facilitators will be supported by local artists Sherien Elsheikh and Nabil Amini, with henna design sessions from Fariha and Pooja running throughout the day.

Everyone is welcome to drop in, take part and spend time in a relaxed, creative environment.

Trinity has worked closely with Bristol Refugee Festival in the lead-up to this year’s event, hosting planning meetings in late 2025 and early 2026 and supporting the team as they began shaping this year’s celebration of sanctuary, community and creativity centred around the overall theme of courage.

"It was exciting to meet up with current partners as well as connecting with new organisations from across the city, to strengthen community connections and continue to spread the message of welcome across Bristol." - Jen Farmer, Arts Engagement Manager, Trinity

As a member of the Family Arts Network, we were eager to collaborate with other members, including Bristol’s Scrapstore, a key partner from last year’s Celebrating Sanctuary event. We also welcomed Let's Make Art, based at Arnolfini, which delivers creative activities across the city. The Network is funding two artists, Sherien Elsheikh and Nabil Amin, to lead craft activities on the day. Trinity is also pleased to support two additional artists, Pooja and Fariha, who will conduct henna design workshops.

Visit the Bristol Refugee Festival website for more info

Free, drop-in | All ages welcome

Over the past year, Eleri has been a huge part of life at Trinity, from the youth programme to the sound team and we want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you.

Starting out as a volunteer with Next Gen Sounds, she quickly became a valued music tutor, leading inspiring 1–2–1 sessions and after-school workshops with young people at Easton CE Primary. Her approach has always been rooted in making a difference to the young people she’s worked with and to the wider team.

Behind the scenes, Eleri has brought the same energy and calm focus to the sound desk, supporting live gigs and youth showcases with skill and confidence. Her contribution to with Bristol Drug Project’s Recovery Orchestra and Move On Music further demonstrated her passion for community music and her ability to elevate every project she is involved with.

"She’s made a genuine difference here and we’re all going to miss her – but it’s exciting to see her step into the next chapter of her career." -Jake Mensah, Youth Services Manager

Eleri’s commitment, kindness and creativity has made a huge impact across Trinity Community Arts, and we are truly thankful to have had her as part of the team. Wishing you all the best on your next path into full-time sound tech.

At the end of May, we hosted Echo, a day bringing together artists from Bristol and Bordeaux as part of the city’s international twinning partnership.

What started earlier this year as a simple introduction has quickly grown into something much bigger. Echo was the first chance to bring people together in the same space, to share work, spend time together and see what might come next.

“We never dreamed that those first conversations would result in us hosting such an exciting and beautiful event here at Trinity – one that celebrated the rich cultural heritage of our city while welcoming some of the most talented emerging artists from our new friends in Bordeaux.”

- Adam Gallacher, Deputy CEO

Across the day, people moved between workshops, performances and conversations, with artists from both cities sharing ideas and getting to know each other.

One of the highlights was a drop‑in workshop led by Colourful Minds, where people of all ages created collage buildings inspired by Bristol and Bordeaux. Using cardboard, paint and coloured paper, participants added to a growing skyline that brought both cities together in one shared piece. The idea came from earlier work with local school pupils, and it was great to see it opened up to families on the day.

There was a steady flow of people, with children, parents and artists all taking part. Some stayed for hours, others dropped in briefly, but it all added to the same feeling. People were relaxed, curious and open to trying something new.

Throughout the day, English and French could be heard across the building. Conversations didn’t always need translation. A lot of it happened through making, performing and spending time together.

“The artists absolutely loved performing at Trinity, and they really enjoyed discovering the city as well. It was their first time performing in England, which made the experience particularly meaningful and symbolic for them. Thank you all for such a warm welcome. We really enjoyed the event too.”

- Emma Asensio, Le Rocher de Palmer

Echo felt like a starting point. It gave space for people to meet properly and begin building relationships that go beyond a single event.

“We learned a huge amount from both the event itself and the build‑up to it. It’s definitely helped me better understand what Twin Cities is becoming and how we can continue developing the platform moving forward. So thank you all again for that.”

- Ed Findlay, Founder, Twin Cities Limited

In September, artists from Bristol will travel to Bordeaux to continue that exchange and develop the work further.

Thank you to everyone who made the day happen, and to everyone who came along and took part. This is just the beginning.

This event was supported by the Bristol Bordeaux Partnership (BBP), which supports and amplifies the many links between the two cities. The BPP works alongside counterparts l'Association Bordeaux Bristol and both City Councils.