St Luke’s Guiding Lights art trail and auction is coming to Plymouth this summer. A talented pool of artists are transforming 2.4‑metre‑tall blank white lighthouse sculptures which will form an art trail around the city on display this summer before being auctioned off in October 2026.
Introducing the Guiding Lights artists…A host of talented artists are using their vision and skill to transform 2.4‑metre‑tall blank white lighthouse sculptures into vibrant and imaginative beacons of hope.
Their creations will brighten the streets of Plymouth this summer as part of St Luke’s Guiding Lights Sculpture Trail and Auction, raising vital funds for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth and its work in the local community. We spoke to 10 of them about their work and inspiration while they were working on their designs in our city centre artist hub…
Alice Nimmo
University of Plymouth illustration graduate and intern for St Luke’s Guiding Lights
Alice has a very personal reason for getting involved in the Guiding Lights project. Seven years ago her mum, Vicky Couch, was cared for by the hospice and Alice was helped through her loss by Patches, St Luke’s support programme for children and young people.
“I really want to pay tribute to what St Luke’s does in their care for patients and their families. It was a very tough time when my mum died, and that very human care means a lot when you are in that position,” she said.
Alice’s intricate lighthouse design is rooted in the timeless nature of caregiving going back through the centuries and draws on her post-graduation travel experience.
An exclusive sneak peek of Alice Nimmo’s lighthouse
“I went on a grand tour of Europe looking at art and one of the places I visited was Pompeii. I was so inspired by the incredible friezes I saw there. Creating my lighthouse design, I decided to look at the work of St Luke’s in that particular historical context.
“Sketching the design out on the lighthouse was the hard part, then it was about bringing the characters to life.”
As well as being one of the selected artists, Alice – who was a volunteer for the Elmer trail in 2019 – was also chosen as the project’s official intern and is part of the team installing the sculpture trail across the city.
“I’m so excited to see all the lighthouses.”
Guiding Lights Artists Jess Molyneux
Jess Molyneux
Artist and tile designer
Jess has her own business designing and making tiles, while also working part-time for family business Molyneux Associates financial advisors. Loyal and generous supporters of St Luke’s, the company is kindly sponsoring the lighthouse Jess has created.
She has a passion for painting elements of the natural world, so she decided on a countryside theme for her lighthouse design, capturing some of the everyday creatures that live in the beautiful nature-rich areas surrounding Plymouth.
“Animals and nature are what I paint the most. I recently moved to the countryside, and I love seeing things like deer and birds on my doorstep. I wanted to use this opportunity to celebrate that. You just have to go a short way from the city and have a look around you to see how amazing it is,” she said.
Jess’s collection of lighthouse animals also includes butterflies because her father-in-law is a “big enthusiast”.
An exclusive sneak peek of Jess Molyneux’s lighthouse
This is the third time one of her designs has been selected for a sculpture trail partnered by Wild in Art. She previously painted a gorilla and a rhino for trails in Paignton.
“I like doing my artwork for a reason and this project for St Luke’s means a lot to me – and it’s lots of fun too.”
Guiding Lights Artists Serena Horgen
Serena Horgan
Graphic designer and hobby artist
Serena is a proud Plymothian, born and bred. She feels a special connection with the Guiding Lights project because her grandmother, Margaret Horgan, was looked after by St Luke’s at Turnchapel several years ago.
“Nan was a big fan of the arts, and I have good memories of going to the hospice and doing crafts – her favourite activity – with her. They cared for her so well. That’s why I really wanted to get involved and give back through Guiding Lights,” she said.
“Graphic design is my day job, but illustration is my side passion. My lighthouse is called Below and Beyond and it’s all about things you can do here in Plymouth. I’ve made it bold, colourful and quite whimsical and romantic. I learnt to swim at the Hoe, and I love sea swimming. I’ve also included elements like the boats on the water, the seagulls above and the seagrass below.”
An exclusive sneak peek of Serena Horgan’s lighthouse
Serena revelled in being part of the “lovely” community of selected artists who gathered at the Guiding Lights hub at Armada Way to paint their sculptures.
“It’s been so inspirational meeting and working alongside artists, some from different parts of the country. They are all incredible and their work is so diverse. The trail is going to be brilliant.”
Guiding Lights Artists Sam Morris
Sam Morris
Professional artist and illustrator
Sam lives in Gloucestershire and art has been her profession for 14 years. She is about to study for a master’s degree in children’s Illustration at Cambridge University.
The theme of her lighthouse design is “sea dreams”. Sam said: “It’s a mix of observation and imagination and I’m really interested in the bridge between the two and how we can lose ourselves in it.”
Last year she painted her first sculpture for a Wild in Art partnership initiative – Lions at Large in Gloucester, raising funds for Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity.
An exclusive sneak peek of Sam Morris’ lighthouse
That commission came at a particularly tough time in Sam’s life while she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.
“I hadn’t been diagnosed when I submitted my design and to get through the chemo it was very therapeutic to visit my lion,” said Sam who is now going through the process of managing fatigue and finding a new rhythm of life.
With her active treatment finished, she was keen to get involved in another Wild in Art partner project and submitted her design for St Luke’s Guiding Lights.
Travelling down to paint at the Armada Centre artists’ hub was her first time in the city, but her husband, Andrew, used to be based in the city as a submariner.
“He has been amazing in either nudging me or distracting me. Doing the work gets me through.”
Guiding Lights Artists Nicola Mills
Nicola Mills
Artist and school art teacher
It would be fair to say that Nicola, also known as Mrs Maker, has become a serial art trail painter over the past 10 years since she submitted a design for a trail called Hoodwinked, partnered by Wild in Art, in her home city of Nottingham.
“I was selected for that and worked on an owl sculpture with a school. Since then I’ve kept applying to different art trail projects all over the UK and having my designs chosen,” said Nicola.
Her sculptures to date, as far afield as Sheffield, Scotland and Slough include two bears, three lions, an elephant and two lighthouses. Her creation for St Luke’s Guiding Lights taps into Plymouth’s seafaring identity.
An exclusive sneak peek of Nicola Mill’s lighthouse
“I love cats, they are my favourite animal, so I’ve created a lighthouse that looks like a cat in a fisherman’s raincoat. I enjoy thinking up little stories to go with my designs, especially tapping into the local area, so for this one I’ve added a little mouse house called ‘Squeetons Tower’.
“I live in a landlocked area so was a real treat for me on my commutes to the artist hub, walking along by the water watching people in the sea.
“It’s a really nice thing to do to support charities and raise awareness for their work in different cities. It’s about the feelgood factor and making people smile, especially children.”
FAQs
What is St Luke’s Guiding Lights?
St Luke’s Guiding Lights is a stunning art trail featuring 40 lighthouse sculptures designed by a pool of talented artists that will be positioned throughout the city for visitors and locals to enjoy.
When is the art trail and auction?
The art trail will run from 6 July to 13 September 2026 with the auction taking place on Thursday 1 October 2026.
How do I find out more?
You can find out more on the Guiding Lights website or by following St Luke’s Guiding Lights on Facebook.
Learn more about St Luke’s Guiding Lights
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