This year was my third year going to Luminata, a lantern festival put on by my Fremont Art Council in Seattle. It’s a procession of lanterns around Greenlake Park at dusk, accompanied by several live bands, costumes, and anything that glows.
The first time I went to Luminata, I did not have a lantern or any costume. I was so inspired and wanted to come back the next year with a lantern I made myself. So last year I made star lanterns for myself and a friend, and this year I took it up a notch and made a sun and a moon lantern.
I used thin reed wood and hot glue to make a frame, then paper-mâché’d it with tissue paper.
Funny enough, I started this project in December of 2025 to celebrate the Winter Equinox. I had gone to a Public Art talk at Pratt Fine Arts Center and wanted to showcase some lanterns in a window display. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to showcase these lanterns in Spring 2026 at Pratt. Please go and support them if you can; they are a wonderful organization. This project took me a few months, reminding me that sometimes it takes a while for an idea to come to life, even when I want it done as fast as possible!
I think it’s funny how these lanterns are almost a year old now, and I have used them for each equinox and solstice. I wish I had more time to make art lately, but alas, everything must be in balance, and I cannot spend all day making art these days.
I hope this inspires you to make some lanterns! It’s always so inspiring to see what people create for Luminata.
- Olivia
