Ayrton continues to support Women In Lighting
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Founded in 2019 by Sharon Stammers and Martin Lupton of Light Collective, and already well-established in the field of architectural lighting, WIL exists to provide an inspirational digital platform that profiles women working in lighting and lighting design, celebrating and promoting their work and career paths. It challenges the underrepresentation of women within the industry and aims to support and encourage the next generation.
Ayrton’s primary aim is to raise awareness and broaden the reach of the WIL project to include women working in entertainment lighting - not just lighting designers, but women working in all aspects of entertainment lighting.
“We are thrilled that WIL has chosen to work exclusively with Ayrton when adding the entertainment perspective and there are lots of exciting plans being made for the year ahead,” says Ayrton’s Linnea Ljungmark.
The first of these is the WIL Global Online Gathering which takes place on 8 March 2022 to coincide with International Women’s Day. Co-organised by Light Collective, Archifos and architectural lighting manufacturer, formalighting, and sponsored by Ayrton, the day is divided into three time zones, each with four sections: Global Light, Global Action, Global Journey and Global Work. Details of the full programme can be found here: https://womeninlighting.com/site/page/wil-global-gathering-2022
“This is an opportunity to listen to designers present their projects, learn more about architectural lighting and watch a project presentation from Emily Bornt, an entertainment lighting designer from the US, which Ayrton is proud to sponsor,” says Ljungmark.
Emily Bornt, founder of Lighting Entertainment and Production Services, LLC, will talk about her work and experiences as part of the Global Work contribution in The Americas section.
In addition to her lighting career, Emily provides mentorship to younger aspiring designers and students. She also runs a Facebook group for those who have the “non-male” experience in the entertainment industry which offers support, work opportunities, and sense of community for those who may not have access to inclusive work environments.
Ayrton would like to invite all women and supporters to contribute or participate in the Global Gathering. “Part of the fun is the sociable Global Roulette where you get to meet and mingle one-on-one with lighting people from all over the world,” says Ljungmark. To register for your free ticket from Ayrton (normal cost £100), follow this link.
Ayrton will also sponsor new interviews for the WIL website this spring, and bring a WIL presence to each of the major tradeshows in 2022, before hosting the first in-person Global Gathering at the Ayrton head office in October.
“WIL is about inclusivity and celebrating the work of women in the field of lighting,” says Ljungmark. “Ayrton is supporting the project because entertainment and architectural lighting are both male-dominated workplaces and we want to make sure that women feel included, seen and heard. The project has received a great response from around the world and I think we can all be very proud to be part of this.”
“We are delighted to be able to support and be a part of this wonderful initiative,” adds Ayrton CEO, Chris Ferrante. “Women In Lighting is an excellent forum and, given that Ayrton has such a talented group of women in our organisation, it is even more important for us to be part of this project. As well as the upcoming Global Gathering, I am excited that we are hosting a dedicated Women In Lighting section on our Prolight + Sound booth in Frankfurt and then, later in the year, a lighting experience here at our Paris HQ.”
