On the first of April 2022, the innovative Teddington Art Trail was officially launched in the Landmark Arts Centre, in the presence of The Mayor Councillor Geoff Acton and MP Munira Wilson. The work of many artists was displayed for the first time to their friends, other artists and art lovers. Hilary Dodsman, the Chair of the Arts Richmond Committee, gave a short speech and the art trail officially commenced.

The art trail that was launched at this event, lasts for the whole month of April and consists of the work of 19 artists being exhibited in 23 independent shops of various types. The trail starts at the Landmark Arts Centre where you can pick up an information booklet that contains a map free of charge, which credits the artists’ work and where they can be found. Many different types of art including photography, digital art and ceramics, as well as traditional paintings are displayed for all to enjoy. Any of the art can be purchased; just ask in the shop it is displayed. Prices range from £75 - £2500.

Linda White, who is part of the Arts Richmond Committee, proposed the idea. She explained the importance of the trail and how she came up with the idea when she told me, “Due to COVID, local shopkeepers have had a hard time in trying to attract customers, and artists have not been able to display their work. I hope that this trail can give local shops and artists a helping hand.” She then went on to state, “I also hope that people will see the paintings in the shops and recognise Teddington as the vibrant community that it is.

The Mayor for Richmond, Cllr Geoff Acton, played a huge role in making the trail and the launch a success. He told me, “I am an art collector myself, so I was very interested in this event when I heard about it. I think it is a good time to try a new idea like this and I hope that it can get people in the Borough to go round the shops in the trail, thereby helping trade and artists and promoting the artistic talent within our borough.”

I was also fortunate enough to speak to one of the artists participating in the trail, Di Jiang who contributed the watercolour landscape shown. I asked her why she wanted to participate, to which she replied, “I have noticed two main benefits of displaying your work in this trail, that it can help promote your work and yourself as an artist, and it can give you the inspiration to awaken the artist in you.”

The other person who helped put the wheels in motion was Linda Hansell. She works at the Landmarks Art Centre while also being the Administrative Officer for Arts Richmond and was in charge of organising the launch of this event. She stated, “We were brainstorming ideas at a regular arts meeting when this idea arose. We had taken inspiration from a similar art trail that had been successful in Barnes and hoped that we could replicate its success. I believe that the good response we received from artists and shops has helped us expand this idea into what will hopefully be a very successful trail. In the future, if more artists and shops are involved we could see this in every high street in the Borough.”

This event provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy taking part in a public trail, support local shops and discover the artistic talent in the local area.