Rise of the River Creatures - Gravesham Light Festival

Rise of the River Creatures is a vibrant neon light exhibition created by local young people, celebrating imagination, collaboration and connection to the river.

Working with families in Northfleet, young participants were invited to design their own fantasy river monsters - inspired by stories, memories and ideas connected to the water that runs through their community. These imaginative designs were then brought to life as glowing light artworks, shaped and realised with the support of Blueprint Arts’ Youth Advisory Board.

The result is a playful and powerful exhibition that transforms young people’s ideas into bold, illuminated forms, filling the festival with colour and character. Each creature tells a story of creativity, teamwork and pride of place.

Rise of the River Creatures is a celebration of young voices and local creativity; inviting audiences to see the river, and the community around it, in a new light.