Delivered in partnership with North Smethwick Development Trust, Brasshouse Community Centre, the Smethwick Interfaith Friends Group, Smethwick Library and six commissioned artists, the initiative invites local people of all ages to connect creatively with the Galton Valley Canal.
The project
Supported by Arts Council England and funds raised by players of Postcode Lottery, the programme offers a series of free artist‑led walks, workshops, family activities and creative sessions taking place throughout the year. Highlights include a summer pop‑up canalside art school and a community programme finale.
Building on a successful 2023 pilot, the project aims to strengthen the relationship between the Smethwick community and the Galton Valley Canal. Through photography, performance, sculpture, research, graphic design and socially engaged practice, the six selected artists will explore how people connect with the canal and with one another, while addressing barriers identified in the pilot such as access challenges and limited awareness of the waterway’s potential.
The six commissioned artists are: Anneka French, Sarah Barton, Juneau Projects (Ben Sadler & Philip Duckworth), Beth Derbyshire, Jaskirt Dhaliwal-Boora, and Sharonjit Sutton, working across photography, performance, poetry, graphic design, sculpture, and curation.
All events are free and open to people of all ages. Bookings can be made at: Smethwick Imaginarium
A place where people come together
Henriette Breukelaar, our director for West Midlands, said: “Our canals have always been places where people come together, and Smethwick Imaginarium builds on that legacy by inviting local people and boaters to explore, create and discover. We’re delighted to support a programme that showcases the area’s rich cultural heritage and highlights the wellbeing benefits of spending time by water.”
Jennifer Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, North Smethwick Development Trust, said: “Being involved in a project like Smethwick Imaginarium is about building relationships, sharing stories, and discovering the value of the place we all live in. When people come together around creativity and the canal, new connections form between neighbours, cultures, and the environment. This project shows how community, art, and heritage can inspire pride, wellbeing, and a deeper sense of belonging for everyone in Smethwick today and we are proud to be a part of it.”
Celebrating diversity
Syed Ali, from Smethwick Interfaith Friends Group, said: “The Smethwick Imaginarium celebrates our vibrant diversity using the canal as a historic bridge to connect us all. By helping to open the doors to this 'green-blue corridor,' we are also breaking down barriers between people—fostering genuine relationships and ensuring everyone from all backgrounds and abilities can share in the peace and spirit of our local waterways.”
Julie Mckirdy, Library Manager at Smethwick Town Libraries, said: “All the staff at Smethwick Library are really looking forward to being part of the Smethwick Imaginarium project and we are excited to be part of and working with this fantastic community project.”
