About

Wild Uplands is a series of new artworks designed for the vast skies and expansive moorland views of Penistone Hill Country Park. Curated by Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025, the project brings together four leading artists—Monira Al Qadiri, Meherunnisa Asad with Studio Lél, Vanessa da Silva and Steve Messam—to create site-specific works inspired by the landscape, industrial heritage, and local stories. These artworks reflect both historical narratives and future possibilities in the context of the climate crisis.

Wild Uplands also features Earth and Sky, an immersive sound walk created with Opera North, offering visitors a unique way to experience the landscape. Throughout the summer, a programme of workshops, tours, and special events will provide opportunities for all ages to engage with the project and its themes.

Events – Wild Uplands
Wild Uplands Family Launch Party
24 May 2025 | FREE Join the family fun at this special launch party for Wild Uplands. Location: Yorkshire moorland scene showing heather

Wild Wednesdays: Butterfly Kaleidoscopes Workshop
28 May 2025 | FREE With Brontë Parsonage Museum Create your own kaleidoscope of butterflies, inspired by Meherunnisa Asad and Studio Lél.

Summer Solstice Solace
21 June 2025 Celebrate the longest day of the year with a Wild Uplands gathering.

Wild Uplands Walk & Write (At Haworth Festival)
19 July 2025 Take part in a special writers’ walk through Wild Uplands at Penistone Hill Country Park. Location: Yorkshire moorland scene showing heather

Wild Wednesdays: Make and Move Workshop
30 July 2025 | FREE With Brontë Parsonage Museum Celebrate Vanessa Da Silva’s nature-inspired sculpture beings at Wild Uplands. Location: Yorkshire moorland scene showing heather

Wild Wednesdays: Forest School Fairy Dens Workshop
27 August 2025 | FREE With Brontë Parsonage Museum Build willow dens for mythical creatures and fairies, inspired by Monira Al Qadiri’s installation. Location: Yorkshire moorland scene showing heather

Wild Uplands Closing Party
20 September 2025 | FREE Enjoy a day of walks, talks, exhibitions, and more to mark the end of Wild Uplands.

>>  Explore more events in the UK City of Culture as part of the #Bradford2025 celebration.

Credits

Produced by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Natural England.