A new Peterborough outdoor exhibition created by young people in Eye opens tomorrow (June 2) as part of Eye Gets Green – a creative programme celebrating local green spaces, creativity and community connection.

The exhibition – Smudges & Snapshots – has been produced and curated by young people from Eye working alongside artist Emily Bowers.

Inspired by the natural spaces around Eye, the exhibition features more than 40 artworks created during six weekly sessions, including charcoal and ink drawings, photography and cyanotypes. The work explores young people’s connection to nature, creativity and place.

The exhibition will be on display at the Open Space behind Manor Farm Community Centre in Eye from June 2-30 and is free to visit and enjoy.

placeholder image — Work on the outdoor exhibition

Emily Bowers said: “I have loved working with this group of young people in Eye. Through drawing and photography, we’ve explored what brings us joy in the creative process, and they’ve shown such willingness and courage to try new things.

“They’ve been involved in every step of planning the exhibition and I can’t wait for them to see their work professionally displayed outdoors. Watching an idea or feeling transform into a public artwork feels quite magical.

Peterborough Presents is also hosting a series of free creative workshops for local young people aged 12–16, leading to the creation of a new mural or street artwork in Eye Village.

Also led by Emily , the beginner-friendly sessions will give participants the chance to experiment with drawing, photography and large-scale public art while collaborating on a final mural design inspired by Eye and its green spaces.

Workshops will take place from 5.30pm–8pm at Eye Youth Club on:

 15 June – Creative drawing and photography activities inspired by nature and local green spaces

 22 June – Developing ideas and experimenting with mural and street art techniques

 29 June – Creating and refining collaborative mural designs and exploring possible locations

 27 July – Decide on the final design and plan the mural install Sessions are open to 12–16 year olds living in and around Eye, with all materials provided.

To book a place or find out more (including accessibility information), email Keely Mills at [email protected]

Eye Gets Green forms part of the wider Better, Healthier, Greener Futures programme, which supports young people aged 11–25 across Peterborough to develop new skills, improve wellbeing and build stronger connections with nature and local green spaces.

The partnership project is led by Nene Park Trust and involves Peterborough Presents, Froglife and Westraven Cross Keys Homes Community Café and Garden, supported by Cross Keys Homes.

The programme is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and Arts Council England.