Meet the Guiding Lights Artists

5th May 2026/
  • St Luke’s Guiding Lights art trail and auction is coming to Plymouth this summer
  • A talented pool of artists are transforming 2.4‑metre‑tall blank white lighthouse sculptures
  • The lighthouse sculptures will form an art trail around the city on display this summer before being auctioned off in October 2026

Introducing the Guiding Lights artists…

A host of talented artists are using their vision and skill to transform 2.4‑metre‑tall blank white lighthouse sculptures into vibrant and imaginative beacons of hope. Their creations will brighten the streets of Plymouth this summer as part of St Luke’s Guiding Lights Sculpture Trail and Auction, raising vital funds for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth and its work in the local community. We spoke to 10 of them about their work and inspiration while they were working on their designs in our city centre artist hub. Here are the first five…

Mrs Murals

Mural artist from Plymouth

Popular artist and passionate nature champion Mrs Murals helped to launch St Luke’s Guiding Lights in May last year, unveiling her first artistic contribution to the project – a small-scale one-metre lighthouse with a striking design that captures the essence of Plymouth’s glorious seascapes. That creation will be joining nine others on a roaming exhibition to out of city locations.

Now she’s turned her hand to painting a full-size 2.4m lighthouse – one of the 41 confirmed for this summer’s sculpture trail and fundraising auction. And her design takes a deeper dive to celebrate the marine life and beautiful environment of Plymouth Sound.

Mrs Murals - Sneak peek

An exclusive sneak peek of Mrs Murals’ lighthouse

Mrs Murals (aka Ellie Johnson) said: “It’s great to create something so large and impactful alongside so many really incredible artists. I feel honoured to take part in such a fantastic and important project.

“I did a lot of research with the National Marine Aquarium, and the Blue Meadows conservation project showed me around their seagrass environment and the species we have in the Sound, including the rare spiny long-snouted seahorse.

“My aim is to promote the importance of protecting this environment and the species that benefit from conservation. In my design I’ve included manmade objects, such as fishing net and a tyre – things that have an adverse impact. It’s about celebrating the beauty of what we have and explaining the input we can have into protecting it.”

Dave Smith

Dave Smith

Plymouth-based illustrator

Dave painted an Elmer elephant sculpture for St Luke’s Elmer’s Big Parade back in 2019 and he was thrilled to be selected as one of the artists for the Guiding Lights trail and auction this summer.

“There’s a lot of love and respect for St Luke’s and the work they do and it’s a great privilege to be involved for a second time,” said Dave.

“For Guiding Lights I wanted to do something that was hopefully quite funny and whimsical to bring a smile to people’s faces and represent Plymouth and the elements you would see around Plymouth Sound.

Dave Smith - sneak peek

An exclusive sneak peek of Dave Smith’s lighthouse

“It features things you find on the water like paddleboarders, swimming pontoons, ferry boats and Princess Yachts. I think it will appeal to kids and adults, and you will find something different each time you look at it.

“Last time, when my sculpture was at the Royal William Yard, it was amazing being able to stand by and watch people’s reaction to something you’ve done. When my lighthouse is out in the city this summer, you’ll probably see me lurking in the shadows! As an illustrator you very rarely get to see anyone’s interaction with your work.

“All the lighthouses are all going to look fantastic; I’m looking forward to seeing all the different designs.”

Pete Clayton

Graphic designer and illustrator based in Plymouth

Pete’s illustration work is distinguished by his sense of fun and joy, and he used that same approach when designing his Guiding Lights sculpture, while also keeping St Luke’s compassionate care for patients and their families firmly in mind.

“My lighthouse design is called A Guiding Light of Positivity and within it I’ve tried to depict all the really nice things that St Luke’s does. I wanted to make it a really positive piece because what they do for people in those important times is actually really positive,” said Dave.

“There has always got to be an idea behind what I create. I haven’t been to St Luke’s, but I spent a little time in a hospice a few years ago and the positive atmosphere and message has stayed with me. And what we, as artists, are going to put out on the streets is a positive thing.”

Peak Clayton sneak peek

An exclusive sneak peek of Pete Clayton’s lighthouse

Like the early songs of the Beatles – played on repeat by Dave – there’s a lot of love and affirmation embedded in his design.

“It’s saying sing your song and be who you are, especially in the latter years of your life. If you know what is going to happen, hospice care can soften the blow, and it’s a perfect opportunity to be yourself.”

Pete usually works with ink and paper: “I’ve never painted anything like this lighthouse before – it’s a new and exciting thing to do.”

Dafyd Roberts

Dafyd Roberts

Final year University of Plymouth illustration student

Dafyd, from Bridgend in Wales, resolved to challenge himself during the last year of his illustration degree course by saying “yes” to every opportunity that came along.

“I made a design and put my name in the hat for St Luke’s Guiding Lights, and I was very lucky that mine was selected,” said Dafyd, who was familiar with Wild in Art trails after enjoying one closer to his home turf.

His Devon’s Delights is inspired by some of the county’s traditional food and drink favourite favourites.

“I anticipated that quite a lot of people would go for a sea theme, so I decided to look at Devon’s well-known treats – pasties, pints of cider and scones with jam and cream. It’s in a similar, very colourful, style to the film Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs.

Dafyd Roberts - sneak peek

An exclusive sneak peek of Dafyd Robert’s lighthouse

“As much as I’m an illustrator, which people think of as pen and paper, I’m also a printmaker which is quite hands-on. But the lighthouse was much bigger than I thought it would be – taller than me, even without its top on!”

Getting involved in Guiding Lights means Dafyd has been learning about St Luke’s for the first time.

“It’s great to be involved in something like this that will raise money for such a good cause. I’m coming to the end of my course in Plymouth, but I’ll definitely be here to see the trail. It’s going to be amazing.”

Keep an eye out for our next group of featured artists coming soon…

Ebony Underwood

Final year University of Plymouth illustration degree student

The historic buildings of Plymouth’s Barbican were the inspiration for Ebony’s design which she has brought to life on one of the 10 1m-tall roaming exhibition lighthouses that will be visiting locations outside the city this summer.

“I’ve loved buildings since I was tiny. For my lighthouse I have collaged some of the most historical ones on the Barbican together and put in other elements that make it like Plymouth,” said Ebony, from Par in Cornwall, whose university lecturer told her about Guiding Lights and encouraged her to enter her design.

“It’s so exciting to be chosen and it’s been a big learning curve for me. I do pop-up books, but I’ve never painted onto something 3D like the lighthouse. I’m quite glad to have a smaller one because they take quite a lot of work.

An exclusive sneak peek of Ebony Underwood’s lighthouse

“Quite a few of my older family members experienced hospice care, so being able to take part in this project for a charity like St Luke’s is really nice for me,” added Ebony, who has also written and illustrated a children’s book for the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

The roaming show will travel to areas covered by St Luke’s nursing teams, spending two weeks each at Salcombe Tap House, three locations in Kingsbridge, St Luke’s charity shop in Tavistock, Dartmoor Zoo and Mount Edgcumbe at Cremyll.

FAQs

What is St Luke’s Guiding Lights?

St Luke’s Guiding Lights is a stunning art trail featuring 40 lighthouse sculptures designed by a pool of talented artists that will be positioned throughout the city for visitors and locals to enjoy.

When is the art trail and auction?

The art trail will run from 6 July to 13 September 2026 with the auction taking place on Thursday 1 October 2026.

How do I find out more?

You can find out more on the Guiding Lights website or by following St Luke’s Guiding Lights on Facebook. 

Learn more about St Luke’s Guiding Lights

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Meet the Guiding Lights Artists

A host of talented artists are using their vision and skill to transform 2.4 metre tall blank white lighthouse sculptures into vibrant and imaginative beacons of hope. Their creations will brighten the streets of Plymouth this summer as part of St Luke’s Guiding Lights Sculpture Trail and Auction, raising vital funds for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth and its work in the local community.
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