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.
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.
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Visitors can 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.
For more information on the project and to book your place on the activities visit Smethwick Imaginarium | Canal & River Trust
