Leigh Art Trail

This year the trail will be showing the work of 34 artists local Leigh Artists over eight days in and around the town. Pic up a guide from any town centre coffee shop, the library, the Community Centre or the leigh-on-sea.com office.

Featured artists include:

Richard Baxter

Kate Baxter

Sheila Appleton

Daniel P. Carter

Emma Emmerton

Paula Puncher

Michelle Goldman

Ash Fields

Simon Hollands

Karen Christensen

Simon Kirk

Simon Feather

Simon Fowler

Richard Argent

Andy Rose

Sarah Mason

Ness Woodcock-Dennis

Jesse Diss

David Shields

Jan Simon

Mina Sabri-Tabrizi

Emma Watson

In 1814, John Constable visited Leigh-on-Sea and later painted an atmospheric view of Hadleigh Castle. At that time, Leigh was just a quiet fishing village, although previously it had links to greater things. In 1533, Strand Wharf in Old Leigh was part of Anne Boleyn's dowry when she married Henry VIII, and between the 15th and 16th centuries, Leigh was one of the most important ports in England. During the 17th century, it was a naval base and since then, Leigh has been renowned for the clandestine exploits of smugglers and for the outstanding courage of the cockle men in the Dunkirk evacuation of 1940.

More recently, Leigh has become a thriving, modern town with a vibrant creative community and an easygoing charm. And with its ever-changing tides, atmospheric skies, fishing boats, cockle sheds, parks, woods, windswept marshes, grassy cliffs, estuary views and flourishing local shops, bars, restaurants and cafés, it's the backdrop to the Leigh Art Trail, currently in its sixteenth year.  

For eight days in June, a diverse range of artists will be showcasing their paintings, photographs, ceramics, printmaking, textiles, video, sculpture and jewellery. Some of the artists are familiar favourites, others are first time exhibitors, several have achieved considerable acclaim and all their work is exciting and worth investigating.

The thing about the Art Trail is that, like the people who live here, it's relaxed and welcoming. Pick up a map and meander along the route at your own pace. Do the whole trail, or just part of it. Do it across one day or over a few. Even if you've lived here all your life, it's an opportunity to see a new side of Leigh, to visit  venues that include artists' studios, cafés, shops, business foyers and even garden sheds, discovering the art and savouring the delights of the surroundings. You can even buy some of the artwork to take home with you. 

Constable only sold twenty paintings in England during his lifetime. If only the Leigh Art Trail had existed then." - 

Susie Hodge is a British author and artist who has written over seventy books and many articles and web resources for both children and adults, within genres such as art history, practical art, history, design, science, religion and biography.