Dorset’s outdoor arts festival Inside Out Dorset returns this autumn with five free installations and performances across the county and surrounding area.
Among the highlights River of Hope, a climate-focused flag display in Christchurch Town Quay from 12 to 15 September, featuring work by students from local schools and music by Dorset-based artist Isaiah Dreads.
At Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, artist Lorna Rees will unveil *Canopy*, a new sound installation using tree-mounted listening pods to share stories and reflections from local children and community groups.
Other events include Consequences, a new giant artwork appearing on local hillsides. It will be shown at Summerhouse Hill in Yeovil on 13 and 14 September and again at Corfe Castle on 20 and 21 September.
The music for the installation has been composed by West Dorset-born artist Douglas Dare, who grew up near the Cerne Abbas Giant and has drawn on local sounds and voices for the 15-minute soundtrack.
The installation is led by Radical Ritual and commissioned by Dorset National Landscape as part of the Nature Calling project.
A Catalan showcase in Corfe village, part of Heritage Open Days, will feature outdoor performances and participatory art on 20 and 21 September. This includes large-scale sound sculptures and juggling by international artists.
The festival will conclude with Sonnet of Samsara, a procession in Weymouth as part of Beach of Dreams, a national project exploring coastal heritage and climate.
Inside Out Dorset was last held in 2023 and featured events at Avon Heath, Poole and Weymouth.