Brentwood Art Trail set for lift-off (From Brentwood Weekly News)

Brentwood Art Trail set for lift-off

7:40am Saturday 16th June 2012 in Local news

BRENTWOOD Art Trail launches on Monday which this year has a special Olympic theme.

The Trail includes over 100 participating artists, students and venues from Brentwood and Shenfield High Street, including both Shenfield and Brentwood Libraries, Brentwood Station and various independent High Street shops, cafes and restaurants.

It is one of over 20 trails countywide and forms part of the Essex Summer of Art scheme, which aims to increase Cultural Tourism across Essex for the duration of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, whilst forming temporary partnerships between local artists, schools, organisations and businesses.

The Brentwood Art Trail was officially launched last week at a special party hosted by the Mayor of Brentwood, Cllr Ann Coe, at the Brentwood Museum which was attended by local artists and businesses as well as some of those participating in the Art Trail.

Chair of Brentwood Council’s Retail Community and Culture Panel, Cllr Mark Reed, said: ''We are delighted with the amount of participants this year, more than ever before! It shows that there is a thriving network of artistic and creative people in Brentwood.

“I know from speaking to both the artists and the hosts that they are very much looking forward to this exciting trail. It is this kind of community working that will once again show Brentwood at its best.”

Participating schools across the Borough have been asked to create works for the Brentwood Art Trail which interprets themes of the Olympics. Artworks include an Olympic Torch made from created hands, interpretations of swimmers, an embroidered flag tapestry and a giant Olympic jigsaw.

Work by pupils from Brentwood County High, Ingrave Johnston Primary, Holly Trees Primary and St Mary's Primary School will be on display at Brentwood Station, Brentwood Library and Rocky's Fun House, Brentwood.

Alongside the local artwork displayed, there will be free events. Brentwood Museum will be playing host to a demonstration by watercolour artist James Merriot on 23 June between 1pm and 4pm and Mona Marnell will be giving an artist talk at the Mark Wilkinson Furniture show room on Sat 23 June between 2pm and 4pm Any member of the public wanting more information on the Brentwood Art Trail 2012 should call 01277 312801 or email natalie.creary@brentwood.gov.uk People can follow the trail on twitter @bwoodartrail