Children’s Artwork to Feature at Leeds Light Night

October 20, 2026 Off By

Foster children’s summer memories illuminated in city centre

Artwork created by children living in foster care in Leeds will be displayed as part of the upcoming Light Night Leeds festival. The drawings, which capture favourite summer memories with their foster families, have been transformed into neon light installations that will be exhibited in the city centre on 28 and 29 October 2026.

Artwork and installation details

The pieces were selected from entries to the Foster 4 Leeds Summer Drawing Challenge. They depict scenes such as feeding ducks, playing in the park, days at the beach, and holiday sunsets. Four neon rope light displays based on these drawings will be installed on lampposts along Cookridge Street.

The installations will remain on display beyond the two-day festival, becoming part of Leeds’s Christmas illuminations this year. This marks the first time Leeds City Council’s in-house lighting design team, Leeds Lights, has created an installation for Light Night Leeds.

Light Night Leeds and the fostering partnership

Light Night Leeds is an annual event attracting around 200,000 visitors.
The 2026 theme, ‘A City Speaks…’, explores stories and people shaping Leeds.
The festival features over 40 artworks by local, national, and international artists.
The Foster 4 Leeds displays will include QR codes providing information about fostering.

The inclusion of foster children’s artwork aims to raise awareness of fostering and support recruitment of new foster carers in the city.

Foster carer and child’s experience

One drawing depicts a summer holiday in Croatia, created by a child cared for by foster carer Marie Procter, who has 36 years of fostering experience. The artwork shows a beach scene with palm trees and sunshine, reflecting a memorable family trip.

Marie described the holiday as a special opportunity for the child to try new activities in a safe environment and noted the drawing challenge helped children reflect on meaningful summer experiences.

Marie also supports a network of local foster families as a hub home carer, with other children’s artwork included in the light display. She said the children are excited to see their work publicly displayed, describing it as a unique and rewarding experience.

Fostering in Leeds

Leeds currently has around 700 foster carers.
There is an urgent need for more carers to provide safe, stable homes for children.
No special qualifications are required to become a foster carer.
Prospective carers must be over 21, have a spare room, and offer a safe, caring environment.

Marie encourages people to consider fostering, highlighting that it does not always require a full-time commitment and that comprehensive support is available.

Council statement

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said the project linking foster families with Light Night Leeds was “incredibly exciting.” She emphasised the importance of providing family settings where children can thrive and noted the range of fostering options available with support throughout the process.