Artwork created by Reading Junior/Senior High School students is now on display as part of the Acres “Lighted Forest,” a seasonal outdoor art exhibition featuring installations from local artists across the region.
The featured pieces were created by students currently enrolled in the 7th and 8th-grade art classes. Each artwork is constructed from recycled compact discs and yarn, forming reflective designs that shimmer in natural daylight and glow subtly under the forest’s nighttime lighting. While the CDs themselves do not illuminate, their mirrored surfaces catch and reflect the surrounding lights, creating a dynamic visual effect as they move with the wind. Additional student pieces will be added to the installation in the coming days.
The Lighted Forest will run from Thursday, November 6, through Saturday, January 3, with evening hours scheduled Tuesday through Thursday from 5:00–9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:00–10:00 p.m. Admission is $10, but the exhibition’s owner has announced that Reading students will receive a discounted rate when they identify themselves as students of Reading Community City Schools. Students may also visit during daylight hours at no cost.
The Acres Lighted Forest showcases a wide range of artworks created by regional artists, each designed to glow or reflect light at night. The inclusion of Reading’s young artists highlights the district’s art department's ongoing commitment to hands-on, community-connected learning opportunities.