A month-long celebration of art is set to transform Brentwood, Shenfield, and Ingatestone this summer as the Brentwood Art Trail returns in its biggest edition yet. The annual event, organized by Brentwood Connected, will run from Saturday, May 30 to Sunday, June 28 and will feature more than 100 artists and over 70 participating business venues across the three town centres.
Organizers say this year's trail marks a record turnout for both creatives and host locations, with shopfronts, cafés, and businesses showcasing artwork throughout the month-long programme. The trail will also include weekend 'event days' featuring live art demonstrations, performances, and interactive activities for all ages, aimed at encouraging visitors to explore local high streets.
Schools are also taking part through a free online art workshop, sponsored by Chicken and Frog Bookshop, Guided Learning and Key Tuition, and delivered by artist Sue Mills of Curly Cloud Art. Pupils will create their own 'zines', with selected pieces to be displayed as part of the trail. More than 3,000 children took part in the initiative last year.
Community Involvement and Venues
Businesses like Mullis & Peake will host artwork during the month-long event. A pop-up gallery will open at The Baytree Shopping Centre, running daily from 10am to 4pm from May 30. The space will host rotating artists in residence and offer guided tours led by artist Lucia Hardy, giving visitors the chance to explore both the artwork and participating businesses.
Free Public Event Days
Free public event days will take place on June 6 in Brentwood, June 13 in Shenfield, and June 20 in Ingatestone, featuring live art, music, and interactive sessions. Among the artists involved this year are Alison Cook, Amelia Hart, Create Yourself Calm, Dani Davison, James Fraser, Lucia Hardy, Nancy Walker, Michael Young, Nicola Osborne, and Peque Artists.
Debbie Butcher, events manager at Figo, which is taking part for the first time, said the venue was excited to join the initiative. “We are so excited to be a venue on this year’s Brentwood Art Trail. We love getting involved in community events and being a hub for creativity in the High Streets is an absolute dream for us,” she said. “We’re looking forward to welcoming people to Figo to eat, drink and see the amazing work of Nicola Osborne, the artist displaying work here during this year’s Trail.”
Sarah Walmsley, manager of Brentwood Connected, said the scale of participation reflected the event's growing popularity. “The number of businesses taking part in our Brentwood Art Trail this year is phenomenal and we are always grateful to them for giving up precious space in their windows, and elsewhere in their businesses, to display artwork for the month,” she said. “The fact that the number of artists wishing to take part increases year after year is a testament to the success of our event, and we look forward to an exciting summer of art in Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone.”
Brentwood Connected supports local high streets across the borough and funds events aimed at boosting footfall and community engagement in town centres.
