CARE / REST / PLAY

CARE / REST / PLAY

Activity: Art Installation

Access: Free | Drop-in | Family Friendly | Wheelchair Accessible

Where memories, play and conversation come together.

CARE / REST / PLAY is a three-part sculptural installation across Leicester, created especially for children. Step inside and discover the past and present role of telephone boxes in connecting communities.

Explore, play and listen to recorded memories from children, in a space inspired by the conversations once shared inside a telephone box. 

Each of the three telephone boxes will celebrate a different theme:

CARE – Communities coming together to provide care, support and mutual aid for each other as found in community larders, pantries and food clubs.

Haymarket Shopping Centre 

REST – A shared safe space for reflection or a moment of pause as found in many of the community led initiatives for inclusive and welcoming spaces to all.

Leicester Royal Infirmary (this venue is not open to the general public)

PLAY – Communities connecting through sharing stories, books and play as found in community libraries.

Leicester Central Library

CARE / REST / PLAY has been commissioned by Art Reach for Journeys Festival International 2026.

(Illustrations by Jasmine Smail)

Papier Mache Play

Activity: Creative Workshop

Access: Free | Ticketed | Join In | Family Friendly | Wheelchair Accessible

Join CARE/REST/PLAY artist Jasmine Smail at Leicester Central Library and re-create your favourite book using paper mache, collage and recycled materials.

Your finished creation can either become part of the PLAY installation within the library, or you can take it home with you.

Since partcipants may be working with scissors, the recommended age for this workshop is 4yrs+. All children must be accompanied by an adult during this workshop.

Although this activity is free, pre-booking is required. Follow the link to book your space. Papier-mache Play Workshop Booking

Meet the Artist

Jasmine Smail is a multidisciplinary artist based in Bristol working mostly in sculpture and drawing. Her practice explores childhood, nostalgia, storytelling and play through objects and the memories they hold.

Smail brings to life the playthings from her imagination and memories – what is, what isn’t and what has been. She creates wobbly objects that exist in their own wobbly world that people can walk, sit and play within, creating immersive experiences and events that bring people together through joy and collective memory.

Based in Bristol, Smail has led workshops encouraging play, storytelling and joy for all ages across the South West including the galleries Spike Island, Hauser & Wirth and Arnolfini.

(Image credit: Meg Lovell)