Marking Earth Day on the Isle of Man, see the planet as you have never seen it before between 20 April and 12 May 2024.
Gaia, the iconic giant illuminated globe installation by UK artist Luke Jerram will be floating inside St Thomas’ Church which stands tall in the Cultural Area of the city of Douglas.
Measuring six metres in diameter, Gaia is an internally-lit sphere, 2.1 million times smaller than the real Earth. It has been recreated from 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth's surface and each centimetre of the sculpture represents 21km of our planet.
A specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA award winning Composer Dan Jones is played alongside the sculpture.
This is a unique chance to see our precious planet at this scale, rotating in three-dimensions, framed inside St Thomas' magnificent archways and its famed Nicholson murals.
The visit is supported by
Gaia was created in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Bluedot and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres. With supporting partners Culture Liverpool and Liverpool Cathedral.
Main photo credit: Gaia at Liverpool Cathedral for Liverpool City Council’s River Festival, 2019 by Gareth Jones
TICKETS
You can book a ticket to a session to visit Gaia. Walk-ins are welcome but please check available sessions in advance of your visit.
Sessions (up to 45 minutes each) are between: Mon - Sat 10am - 4pm, Sun 1pm - 4pm, evening openings 6pm - 8pm.
Day sessions are free with donations welcome on entry or in advance to St Thomas' Church, evening sessions are £3. Special events (see below) may have a separate charge.
Book a Quiet Session for low lighting and lower sound. You may wish to bring ear defenders or tinted glasses if you have aversion to lighting.
Note this is not an all-seated event you can move around the venue to see Gaia and go under it, although you may choose to sit in the pews for a time.
Please take planet-friendly transport where possible, find more details/ directions below.
SPECIAL EVENTS UNDER OR AS PART OF GAIA
20 April: Biskee Brisht from 7.30pm hosted by St Thomas' Church
Book Tickets
22 April: Climate Café at Gaia, 2:30- 4:30 pm / 5:30 - 7:30 pm at St Thomas' Church Free to attend, donations for refreshments.
Find out more and book a place
26 April: Mine’s A Shanty, from 7.30pm hosted by St Thomas' Church
Book Tickets
27 April: Shenanigans Band, from 7.30pm hosted by St Thomas' Church
Book Tickets
27 April - 5 May: Manx Wildlife Week, Island-wide
See all events and book
1 May: Climate Café at Gaia, 2:30- 4:30 pm at St Thomas' Church Free to attend, donations for refreshments.
Find out more and book a place
3 May: The Bop Katz – Rocking around the World, from 7.30pm hosted by St Thomas' Church
Book Tickets
4 May: Reimagining Our Biosphere: co-creating a nature-positive future on the Isle of Man - drop-in art workshop with Ali Hodgson, the Biosphere Artist in Residence, 10am - 1pm (choose a Gaia session at 10am, 11am or 12pm to join the workshop) at St Thomas' Church
Book Tickets
7 May: Manx Voices Choir, from 7.30pm hosted by St Thomas' Church
Book Tickets
10 May: Wildlife Remembered - Short Film and Q&A with Graham Makepeace-Warne and MWT CEO Leigh Morris 6.30pm doors open, 7.00pm film begins. Supported by Manx Wildlife Trust and ELS.
Book Tickets
ABOUT THE VENUE
Photo credit: St Thomas' Church, Culture Vannin
Set just back from the seafront, St. Thomas' Church is located in the Cultural Area of Douglas. Famed for its John Miller Nicholson murals, the church is also a registered Eco Church under the A Rocha UK project and is working towards an Eco Church Award.
How to get there
When you get your tickets please take planet friendly transport where possible, walk, wheel or take public transport. St Thomas' is located on Finch Road. The nearest bus stop is at the Cultural Area/Gaiety Theatre and is served by 1, 2, 11 and 12 bus services on the promenade. The venue is a 1 minute walk from this bus stop. Cycle parking is also located in the Cultural Area. The venue is an 11 minute walk from the main Lord Street Bus Station. To view routes and timetables visit Bus Vannin.
ACCESS
Entry will be via the double door entrance on Finch Road. Ramp access is available. Level access is available around the Church on hard and carpeted floors. The nearest public toilet facilities are at Chester Street or the Villa Marina Arcade. In the evening the closest facilities are located at the Villa Marina.