The Brentwood Art Trail, sponsored by the Brentwood Business Partnership, is underway until 18th July, and is already attracting attention from residents and visitors to the borough with its eye-catching displays and unusual exhibits.
With more exhibits than ever before, art from 64 local artists can be seen in windows across 35 venues in Brentwood, Ingatestone and Shenfield. Venues acting as pop-up galleries have reported a positive response to the artwork in their windows, including Liquorice in Shenfield, where work from Alison Cook and Neil Milton is on show. Owner Jo Eastwood says, “I’m delighted to be selected again as a venue for the Brentwood Art Trail, and to be involved in such a brilliant local initiative. Both our artists have presented exceptionally well and I hope we can generate a great response for all those exhibiting this year.”
The day before the Trail commenced, local artist Sue Mills was commissioned by the Brentwood Art Trail to deliver a live Zoom workshop to local primary schools in the community, including Larchwood, Long Ridings, St. Peter’s South Weald and Woodlands Preparatory. More than 600 children took part in the free session, creating their own abstract portrait under Sue’s expert tuition, and were then encouraged to display this at home.
A number of new artists are taking part in the Trail this year, including local amateur photographer Ian Mulkerrins. Ian was particularly pleased with the response he received from St. Thomas of Canterbury church, who saw his photograph, ‘Road to Reflection’, in the first few days of the Brentwood Art Trail. They suggested the image, which shows the church on a wet day, be displayed at the church for all the parishioners to enjoy. Ian recently presented this to Father Matthew Austen, joined by Kamal Magecha, owner of Guided Learning, where Ian is exhibiting his work. Ian said, “I’m delighted to be taking part in the Brentwood Art Trail for the first time, and receiving such a positive response from St. Thomas’ is such a huge compliment. I was honoured to share the photograph with the church, and I hope they enjoy it for many years to come.”
The collection of work in the window of Bennetts Funerals is another brand new element and a real focal point of the Trail this year. Seven artists were matched with seven of Brentwood’s community hubs to create a piece of art representing each group. Finished off with a rainbow made of bottle tops, the display helps to raise awareness of what these organisations have achieved during the pandemic. The exhibit, titled ‘Our Community Heroes’, includes a wide variety of art – from a logo rebrand and a book, to photography, drawings and paintings. The artists exhibiting in this window are Amelia Hart, James Fraser, Julia Austin-Brenes, Michele Fazakerley, Penelope Tyzack, Ricci Fothergill, Sue Mills and Teresa Pettenuzzo.
The theme of community continues with sponsor Blue Serif’s mural, on display at the Baytree Shopping Centre, featuring the pandemic photography of local people. Titled, ‘Discover Our Brentwood’, visitors are encouraged to enjoy the images on show, and take a selfie to share on social media using the #BwdArtTrail2021 hashtag. The mural will be in place beyond the Brentwood Art Trail. Also on show in the Baytree Shopping Centre is ‘Disappearing Tiger’, a breath-taking environmental inspired sculpture from artist Jill Busby. This will also remain in place beyond the Brentwood Art Trail, as part of Brentwood Borough Council’s Safari Trail.
Events take place right up until the final day of the Trail, with a focus on outdoor activities and mental health this year, with support from Vita Health Group – VitaMinds. Walk, Talk & Create sessions, as well as Guided Tours, are available, plus ‘Mr Turner’ at Brentwood Theatre on Sunday 18th July, introduced by artist Lucia Hardy. Tickets for all events can be booked via www.brentwoodarttrail.co.uk.
Brentwood Art Trail brochures are available in participating venues, and you can access a digital copy via www.brentwoodarttrail.co.uk. Follow on social media via @BwdArtTrail on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
