Waterways charity, Canal & River Trust, is inviting local people to the launch of a new, free canal art trail in Smethwick. The trail is a year-long community arts programme exploring the town's canals, heritage and communities.
The project, made possible thanks to funding from players of Postcode Lottery and Arts Council England, launches on Saturday 19 September with the canal art trail, a free day of artwork, guided walks, family activities and creative workshops linking Smethwick Library, Brasshouse Community Centre and the Galton Valley Canal.
Over the past year, six artists have worked alongside residents, community groups and local organisations to explore what the canal means to the people who live and work around it. Their newly commissioned artworks will go on public display for the first time during the event, creating a trail that follows the canal between Galton Bridge and the Toll House, with additional exhibitions and activities taking place at Smethwick Library and Brasshouse Community Centre.
Visitors can join hourly guided walks or follow a self-guided map along two waymarked routes, discovering artworks, workshops, food and activities throughout the day. The event is free and open to everyone, and the artworks will remain in place for around a month afterwards, allowing local people to experience the trail into October.
Among the newly commissioned works is ‘Above and Below Ways’ by Juneau Projects (Ben Sadler and Phil Duckworth), a series of floating sculptures created with local people that reveal the canal's hidden wildlife.
Visitors walking the canal towpath will encounter ‘What Lies Beneath Us’ by Beth Derbyshire, the trail's largest commission. Comprising more than 200 oversized flags featuring handwritten poetry, the large-scale installation celebrates Smethwick's diversity, stories and history, transforming the towpath itself into a piece of public writing that unfolds as visitors move through the trail.
Also along the towpath, ‘Smethwick Champions’ by Jaskirt Dhaliwal-Boora shines a light on the community leaders whose everyday efforts help bring local people together.
At Brasshouse Community Centre, canalside art school: ‘A Year of Activity’, curated by Anneka French with Cathy Wade, showcases the creative learning and community participation that has taken place throughout the year. Visitors can also take part in ‘Something to Talk About’, led by Flavia Bertram with Sarah Barton, which invites people to share conversation over tea and receive a portrait as a lasting reminder of the experience.
Meanwhile, ‘Legends of the Canal’ by Sharonjit Kaur Sutton invites visitors to imagine their own canal-dwelling creatures through a special artwork handout, family workshop and guided walk, connecting the canal's heritage with new stories created by local families.
Guided walks will run throughout the day, including artist-led tours, heritage walks exploring landmarks such as Galton Bridge and the pumping station, and family activities inspired by the canal environment. A programme of drop-in workshops, boat-based activities and Canal & River Trust education Explorers sessions will also take place across the trail.
Ian Lane, interim director of West Midlands at Canal & River Trust, said: "Canals have always connected people and places, and Smethwick Imaginarium has shown how they can also inspire creativity, conversation and community pride.
“Thanks to the players of Postcode Lottery and Arts Council England, we've been able to work with residents, artists and local partners to create something that truly reflects Smethwick. We hope the canal art trail encourages people to explore their local canal and celebrate the stories, cultures and communities that make this area so special."
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at Postcode Lottery, said: "The Smethwick Imaginarium is a great example of how nature and art can help bring people together to discover the beauty of their local spaces. It is fantastic that Postcode Lottery players have helped bring this project to life, encouraging the community to explore the canal in a new and creative way"
Smethwick Imaginarium is a Canal & River Trust place-based arts programme funded by Arts Council England and through funds raised by players of Postcode Lottery. It is delivered in partnership with North Smethwick Development Trust, Smethwick Interfaith Friends Group, Smethwick Library and Ikon Slow Boat.
For more information on the project and to book your place on the activities visit Smethwick Imaginarium.
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