Inflatable artwork in city for group's anniversary

Families were able to take a tour of the sculpture after it was installed before the official start

A giant inflatable walk-through sculpture has been brought to Stoke-on-Trent as part of an arts group's 10th anniversary celebrations.

The huge "Luminarium – Architects of Air" installation opens in Hanley Park from Wednesday until Friday.

Local arts company Appetite brought the artwork to the city ahead of its two-day city-centre arts festival, Big Feast, which starts on 23 August.

The group's director Gemma Thomas said she was keen to hear people’s reactions to the “out of the ordinary” experience.

She added: “It looks like something’s landed, doesn’t it?”

Ms Thomas said she was proud Appetite brought exhibitions to Stoke-on-Trent “that other places wouldn’t”.

The giant inflatable structure has been installed in Hanley Park

The sculpture features several domes and pods which can be lit up at night.

It was designed by Architects of Air who said it "meets a need in people, it offers a space somewhere between a womb and a cathedral".

Stoke-on-Trent's Business Improvement District chair, Jonathan Bellamy, welcomed the attraction as an example of ways to attract people into Hanley.

"Entertainment, culture, heritage and events have never been so important to our city centres," he said.

Mr Bellamy added his praise of Appetite as he said they had brought "unexpected, intriguing and stimulating" projects to the city.

The group is part of the Creative People and Places programme led by the New Vic Theatre, supported by the National Lottery, through Arts Council England.

Rebecca Blackman, from Arts Council England, attended the Luminarium launch and described Appetite as a "trailblazer".

“They hoped it would play its part in changing the cultural landscape of Stoke and over the last 10 years it really has,“ she added.

The ticketed exhibit runs on Wednesday and Thursday between 13:00-19:00 BST and on Friday between 11:00-17:00 BST.