16 December 2024
Visitors to Southampton can now see a breath-taking snow scene display at the entrance to Westquay.
Created in real time on Saturday 14th December by artist Tom Baker from Snow Windows, the decorated window now stands at the main entrance of Westquay, Southampton’s retail and leisure destination on Above Bar Street, remaining until the new year.
Organised and funded by the city’s BID team GO! Southampton and Southampton Football Club, and in partnership with Westquay and Brackenwood Windows, Tom created a wintery scene on the windows showcasing homegrown Saints players including Matt Le Tissier, Megan Collett and Francis Benali. The historic Bargate, once the former entrance to the city, also features on the window and celebrates the togetherness of the Club and City, showing the journey to the stadium.
Stephen Manion, Executive Director at GO! Southampton, said: “The magical Snow Windows trail helped capture the spirit of Christmas like nothing else. We’re thrilled to be continuing that cheer throughout the long dark wintery days, and keep people coming back into Southampton after Christmas, to support local businesses.”
As well as a stunning piece of artwork, there’s prizes to be won too! Take a photo or a selfie of the artwork and upload to Instagram by 31st December 2024, using #SouthamptonSnowWindows and you will be entered into a prize draw where one lucky person will win four tickets to Southampton’s FA Cup tie against Swansea in January and two signed copies of Matt Lucas’ new Christmas book ‘The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas’. Make sure you tag Visit Southampton too and your photos will be reshared.
This is the latest artwork that compliments the free Snow Windows Trail, which runs until 31st December. It is a series of beautifully decorated snow scenes at 20 venues around Southampton. Full details, including map download, can be found here.
Southampton Football Club also has its very own mural, outside the Saints Store at St Mary’s – and the Club was keen to support this latest project. Ashley Kirby, Brand & Creative Lead at Southampton Football Club, “Southampton Football Club is thrilled to collaborate with GO! Southampton and Snow Windows on this unique artwork to celebrate our incredible city and homegrown players. We have a rich history of nurturing local talent, and this window is our way to honour them, as well as the connection between the club, the city, and the community that supports us. Through this artwork, we aim to celebrate the journey of these players—from our academy to the global stage—while inspiring future generations to dream big and embrace their potential.”
Allan Forbes, CEO of Brackenwood Windows said: “We’re thrilled to support GO! Southampton’s Christmas activities including the Snow Windows trail and be part of the festive magic in the city. Snow Windows LIVE! was an amazing opportunity to watch art come to life and celebrate the season together.”
