Artists Invited to Be Part of New Waterside Installation |
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For the Love of Brentford to transform canal path
June 2, 2026 Brentford’s growing reputation as a hub for contemporary art is set for another boost this summer, after local artists have been invited to submit work for a new outdoor installation, For the Love of Brentford. The project will animate the newly opened canal path behind Printmakers Yard development, creating a public gallery that celebrates creativity and the town’s evolving identity. Running until spring 2027, the installation, which is being organised by Fairview New Homes and Creative Mile, will feature work by 10 selected artists, each responding to this year’s Creative Mile theme of love. The exhibition will form an official part of the 2026 Brentford Art Trail, ensuring that thousands of visitors encounter the work as they explore studios, riverside spaces and cultural venues across the town. Artists aged 16 and over are invited to submit pieces in any two-dimensional medium, including painting, printmaking, collage, photography, video stills or images of three-dimensional work. The chosen pieces will be professionally photographed and curated into a striking open-air display along the canal, offering a free and accessible cultural experience for residents and visitors alike. Each selected artist will also receive a £50 voucher, provided by Fairview, in recognition of their contribution. The installation will be unveiled on Saturday 18 July at Printmakers Yard, marking both the launch of the exhibition and the opening of the new canal path linking Point Wharf Lane with the Thames Path along the River Brent. The route enhances riverside access and creates a new walking corridor through the heart of Brentford’s regeneration area. For Creative Mile, the collaboration builds on the festival’s long-standing relationship with Brentford’s artists and studio communities. “Brentford has many artists who are inspired by the town, particularly as it goes through a period of significant change,” said Creative Director Mark Pearce. “This will be a great addition to Brentford and to this year’s Creative Mile weekend, which takes place from 4–6 September and celebrates the theme of ‘love’.”
Daisy Carney, Marketing Manager at Fairview New Homes, said the project reflects the company’s commitment to supporting Brentford’s cultural life adding, “Brentford has a rich and thriving arts scene that is deeply embedded in its identity. It’s important to us to celebrate that culture and play a meaningful role in it as we bring new homes to the area. We’re really looking forward to seeing the submissions come in and to watch this exciting installation come to life.” Brentford’s contemporary art scene continues to flourish, shaped by its riverside setting, industrial heritage and the adaptive reuse of canal-side buildings. Studios and collectives at Johnsons Island, XYZ Brentford and other repurposed sites contribute to a strong grassroots culture, while the annual Creative Mile trail opens up workshops, libraries and public spaces to artists from across the region. Fairview previously hosted a printmaking workshop at Printmakers Yard during the 2025 trail, underscoring its ongoing support for local creative initiatives. For the Love of Brentford is the latest addition to this cultural landscape, offering artists a chance to showcase their work in a prominent public setting. Artists can submit work via the online form by Monday 15 June.Creative Mile is organised by a not-for-profit Community Interest Company with support from local businesses, the council, Inspire Hounslow and donations from the public.
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