As we enter the darkest season of the year, an alleyway in Union Square will be lit by a large-scale light sculpture called Iluminaciones by Zebbler Studios. The pixel-mapped LED sculpture debut will be the evening of Thursday, December 9, to kick off the Somerville Arts Council’s month-long Illuminations celebration. Iluminaciones can be found between 329 and 341 Somerville Avenue.

Visit somervilleartscouncil.org for more information on Illuminations, including citywide caroling on December 9, self-guided tours, and the bike tour on December 18.

Spurred on by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone’s call for more art and light in the city, the Arts Council commissioned several lighting designers to create public works for a project called “NightLights,” inspired by the long tradition of Somerville families illuminating their homes for the holidays. Iluminaciones is the last sculpture in this series.

“Iluminaciones is inspired by the holiday light installations and celebrations in Catholic nations of Europe, a portal to the old world whose design reflects the industrial roots of New England,” said light artist Zebbler Peter Berdovsky.

“Art brings so much life and joy to our community, so we are always looking for new ways to create public art,” said Mayor Curtatone. “I want to thank the Arts Council and Zebbler Studios for finding a fun and funky way to add light and art to Union Square during these cold, dark months.”

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the installation on December 9 starting at 7 p.m. Iluminaciones will be on display through the spring of 2022.

Zebbler Studios is a multimedia design team, specializing in custom video-mapped installations, video editing and animation, interactivity, software design, fabrication, and lighting. They are proudly headquartered in nearby Sullivan Square.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.