Art Trail Returns

THE Leigh Art Trail, the town’s much-loved celebration of contemporary creativity, returns on Saturday July 4 and runs until Sunday July 19.
The Art Trail will see, shops, cafés, businesses and artists’ homes transforming into pop-up galleries packed with original paintings, sculpture, ceramics, photography, textiles, film and more.
As always, visitors can explore a remarkable variety of work across Leigh, but the organisers are particularly excited to welcome a host of artists exhibiting on the Trail for the first time.
From intricately embroidered textiles and experimental printmaking to immersive video installations, contemporary ceramics and poetry created in direct response to the artwork on display, the 2026 Trail promises fresh perspectives alongside the event’s established favourites.
Among the newcomers is textile artist Valerie Dines (Venue 39, Milly’s Deli), who says: “My pieces are quite diverse as I draw my inspiration from the fabrics, letting them inform my decisions on the embroidery stitches and techniques I will use.”
Ms Dines favours vintage textiles and fabrics she creates herself through dyeing techniques. “Hand embroidery, appliqué, embellishing and the slow stitching process allow time for each piece to evolve,” she added.
Also joining the Trail for the first time is sculptor and ceramicist Anya Isaacs (Venue 18, Natural Edge), who says: “The artworks I create translate and interpret historical narratives through their materiality and aesthetics, embodying and intertwining stories of the past and the present.”
The 2026 Trail also introduces a new literary dimension through poet S.Reeson, who will serve as the Art Trail’s first poet in residence.
“I have always been a storyteller first and a problem solver second. My poetry has become an adaptive tool in recent years: a way to reflect art and design in differing ways, to begin conversations between readers and creators.”
Throughout the event, S Reeson will visit every venue, producing ekphrastic poetry inspired by the artists, their work and the unique spaces that host them. “Poetry does not simply exist on the page,” they said. “It is living, breathing artistic expression.”
Whether you’re a regular visitor or discovering the Trail for the first time, the organisers encourage people to explore as many venues as possible and experience the diversity of art on display.
The pocket-sized Trail Guide includes venue details and a map of the route, while the Trail website features artist profiles, venue opening times and an interactive map to help visitors plot their journey.
The Leigh Art Trail runs from Saturday July 4 until Sunday July 19, and features around 60 artists in more than 40 venues across the town. For more information, pick up a Trail Guide, visit the website and follow @leigharttrail on Instagram
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