22/05/2026
📸 Photos taken by the young people
We followed the trail quietly,
searching for the ten hidden artworks of Lynda Sterling , tucked between the trees of Chorlton and Ivy Green as part of the Chorlton Arts Festival .arts
The children stepped away from the indoor studio and into the breathing forest.
They carried my camera carefully in their small hands,
capturing little moments through curious eyes.
Some photographs looked almost professional,
and somewhere along the trail,
a new love for photography quietly began to bloom.
One child proudly carried the art trail map,
guiding us through wrong turns, laughter, and hidden discoveries.
It felt like the most joyful little treasure hunt.
They explored through all five senses —
listening to birdsong beside distant traffic,
smelling the rain on the soil,
touching bark and fallen leaves,
watching artworks appear like secrets between branches,
and tasting snacks that somehow felt magical after the long walk 🤣
They were fascinated by “Global” hanging high above the trees,
wondering how Lynda managed to place it there.
Some even stretched and climbed carefully,
hoping to touch the artwork themselves.
They wondered how she managed to tie “the ribbons in the trees” so deep within the tangled branches.
Some joked that the forest must already know her 🌿
We also had fun with the “Spiralling”, the artwork of the broken mirror ball , looking ourselves through the broken mirror pieces .
I especially loved “Caught,”
with its fabrics hanging gently through the trees,
creating beautiful shadows and reflections beneath the shifting sunlight. ❤️
By the end of the walk, we sketched among the trees with no pressure to make something “good” —
only to notice, feel, and be present.
For the first time in a long while,
I was not only caring for others,
but also caring for myself.
Thank you, Lynda,
for creating such an inspiring art journey —
something prepared with care throughout the whole year,
for the festival, and perhaps for yourself too ❤️
A beautiful reminder that art can be an experience,
a healing,
and sometimes, a way back home to ourselves.
