A CARLISLE artist is preparing to light up the city, as he embarks on an innovative new business.

Mark Gibson from Yewdale, is behind the creation of a set of graphics for an upcoming major event in the city, and earlier this week was captured testing his kit on the side of Carlisle Castle.

It comes ahead of his first major Cumbrian project, which will be involvement in the exciting new initiative to light up Carlisle next month.

The City of Lights festival takes place across four days between Wednesday, February 12 to Saturday, February 15.

The 55-year-old runs his own company, Everything and Nothing Lasers, and prior to the spectacle being beamed to various areas across the city, Mark has been busy preparing a raft of text and animated graphics packages.

He told The Cumberland News: “I’ve got a background working with in production for big music festivals to create laser imagery for events such as Solfest, Equinox and Glastonbury.

“It’s a hobby job, and it’s so nice to be paid to do something I really enjoy.

“Since setting up the business last year, I’ve landed a few small corporate jobs for the likes of Cumbria Pride, Laser Quest and Struts Fancy Dress, but the City of Lights will be my first major event that thousands of people will get the chance to see.

“It’s a completely different event for me, and is great to have world-class ‘space age’ technology here in Carlisle.”

While he has been busy behind the scenes creating and testing moving graphics and text in recent weeks – Mark has kept the full details of what people can expect next month under wraps.

The business owner is brimming with ideas, and has lots of other thoughts on possible laser events in other areas of the city and beyond in the future.

“The real joy for me will be the feedback from people who come along to see the lights – and that feeling of absolute delight that all of the work has paid off,” Mark added.

It is the first time the City of Lights will be held in the north of England.

The centre-piece of the programme will be a visual feature in Carlisle Cathedral, which will host ‘The Great Exhibition – SPACE: God, the Universe and Everything,’ inspired by the 1969 Moon landings.

Created by the award-winning Luxmuralis artistic collaboration, the light show will take people on a walking journey through the cathedral, revealing the universe, galaxies, space, creation, and light through a variety of sound and light installations that will transform the internal space of the building.

The event has previously been staged in Lichfield Cathedral and St Albans Cathedral.

While much of the show is free, sessions at Carlisle Cathedral are ticketed.

The project is a partnership between Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council alongside a range of local partners including Story Contracting and the Railway Heritage Trust.

It will be delivered under the ‘Love Carlisle’ brand.

The aim of Love Carlisle is to organise and promote events, opportunities and activities that raise the profile of Carlisle and celebrate the variety of cultural and creative talent in the city.

The City of Lights event will also see numerous buildings and local landmarks in the Court Square and Citadels area of the city illuminated with coloured lights and projections.

Visitors will be guided via a map through Court Square where they will see the Griffin Pub, The Hallmark Hotel, Carlisle Railway Station and the Citadels in a very different light.

Walking through the city centre towards the Old Town Hall, visitors will find projected images in the town hall windows brought to life. The Market Cross and public areas of the city will also be illuminated with eye-catching displays.

Cllr Stephen Higgs, Carlisle City Council portfolio holder for culture, heritage and leisure, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Carlisle’s first ever City of Lights event.

“It will celebrate and promote the city’s key landmarks, drawing visitors into the city centre. Carlisle has lots to be proud of and has a rich and fascinating history to explore.

“The SPACE event at Carlisle Cathedral will be the first time the award-winning Luxmuralis exhibition has been staged in the North and will be a spectacular and unmissable experience.”

Councillor Cyril Weber, chairman of the county council’s local committee for Carlisle, added: “I am delighted to be working in partnership with Carlisle City Council and a range of local partners to bring our city to life in a new and imaginative way.

“The lighting installations will showcase the city and help draw people towards the high street and the variety of night time attractions, restaurants and bars in the city centre and historic quarter.

“The exciting SPACE event at the Cathedral will be a first for the city, and I can’t wait to see it brought to life in such a striking way. I’d urge people to reserve their tickets now and not miss out – tickets are going quickly.

“The City of Lights is set to be a fantastic event for the city, and I am confident we can build on it in future years.”