Explore an enchanted forest and cocoon yourself in creativity this autumn at The Nest, just one of a fun-filled bonanza of events titled Chester Designed By Nature. for people to meet in and enjoy creative experiences. We turned to the immersive artist Rachel Shore, who has done a lot of work in schools and community settings, transforming sterile spaces into welcoming places. She’s designed a beautiful, cosy space. Visitors to The Nest step straight off the busy high street into the depths of a woodland, making their way along an avenue of trees, with autumn leaves strewn on the floor. They emerge in a clearing, a performance and activity space with stools made from tree stumps surrounded by nooks and crannies filled with the kind of personal possessions – photos, books, teapots – that you might gather around yourself for comfort. Beyond the clearing is the nest, a geodome filled with rugs and cushions, the ultimate cosy space – a place to leave your shoes at the door. This will be where more intimate artistic experiences, such as storytelling, happen. All the materials used to create The Nest are natural or made from natural resources – willow, chestnut, Chester Designed By Nature is a seasonal project, so for autumn – a time of hibernation, when we seek sanctuary in warm, safe, natural spaces – we decided to build a nest Two exciting new pieces of interactive art, The Nest and The Roving Moon, will be unveiled this autumn and winter as part of Chester Designed By Nature (see opposite). We asked Rowan Cannon, director of the outdoor arts organisation Wild Rumpus and creative lead for these art installations, to tell us more. pine cones, twine, recycled card and paper – mixed with man-made treasures. On 25 November, The Roving Moon, will also go on display for the Christmas period. The artist Jess Rost will create one of her signature metal structures using lots of recycled material. She’ll clad it with fabric and illuminate it with internal lights. Look for it on the rooftops – it will move location each week, so you’ll need to seek out where it pops up next. Funding to provide the services in this project is provided by the Welcome Back Fund (WBF). WBF is managed by Her Majesty’s Government and is supported by the European Regional Development Fund. The project is receiving more than £300,000 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information