Brentwood Art Trail returns with record number of artists

A record number of 84 artists and groups take part at 66 locations in Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone over three Saturdays, starting on May 31.

Painted windows are also included at eight businesses whose shopfronts were splashed by artists for VE Day by Brentwood Connected Business Improvement District (BID).

“This trail brings so many people in the community together,” Brentwood Connected’s marketing manager Villene Hyam said.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the number of talents wanting to take part, from artists to businesses offering space in their premises.”

Amelia Hart live painting (Image: Brentwood Connected BID) Activities are in all three high streets are on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.

It begins in Brentwood’s High Street on May 31 with a guided tour by Lucia Hardy, who also runs an arts event outside Tom Howley Kitchens with chalk drawing in Crown Street, while Amelia Hart and Jill Busby paint large boards at The Pink Parachute and the Chapel Ruins. 

Mike Young is back with his scribble board art jam for spectators to make their mark. 

A guided tour of Shenfield on June 7 is led by Dani Davison and a chalk drawing session at Shenfield Day Nursery. 

John Ball and Lucia paint together opposite Shenfield Library for the afternoon, while Mike is joined by doodle artist Heidi Simm for a scribble board art jam outside the Shenfield Wine Company. 

The final Saturday (June 14) in Ingatestone starts with a guided tour by Nicola Osborne, who also creates a painting inspired by the history and people of the village with Philippa Threlfall’s mosaic in Market Place as her inspiration.

Nicola Osborne’s special art for Ingatestone (Image: Brentwood Connected BID) Other events over the three Saturdays include arts and craft workshops with organisations like Crafting From Scratch, Curly Cloud Art and Wee Bothy Art, along with a film screened at Brentwood Theatre and an exhibition and music jam from Arts Den. 

New venues in Brentwood this year include 7 Crown Street, Brentwood School, Caffé Piccolo, Levain Bakehouse, Pink Parachute, the Spread Eagle and Woofer Café, with the Dental Works in Shenfield and Ravens Bakery in Ingatestone.

One business getting involved is Mullis and Peake solicitors whose office is on the Shenfield trail for the second time.

Their manager Jo Briton said: “The trail shows local artistic talent as well as bringing people to the businesses. It includes our office to see Martin Bardram’s artwork displayed.”

A creative showcase is planned on the final Saturday outside Brentwood’s Baytree Shopping Centre with a pop-up gallery for arts and heritage groups to meet the public and an art market on the green nearby.

Brentwood Connected is funded by businesses in all three high streets. For more details, visit brentwoodconnected.co.uk.