A new interactive art trail celebrating local nature, heritage and community spirit is launching along the Caldon Canal in Stoke-on-Trent.
Commissioned by the Canal & River Trust with funding from Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered in partnership with Appetite, A Canalside Arcana features eight hand-crafted ceramic plaques created by artist Anna Francis.
Installed between Etruria Junction and Hanley Park, the artworks reflect the plant life along the canal and invite people to explore the waterway as a space for reflection, connection and creativity.
More than 3,000 households were contacted as part of the community engagement that shaped the trail, with two of the plaques co-created with residents during workshops. The trail is accompanied by a pack of hand-drawn cards that weave together folklore, herbal uses and other information about the nature found along its path.
The free public launch event will run from 11am to 2pm tomorrow, 10 May, at both Etruria and Hanley Park, with a packed programme of events for all ages. Visitors can hear directly from the artist at an introductory talk at 11am at Etruria, followed by guided walking tours along the trail from Etruria to Hanley Park at 11.30am, and from Hanley Park to Etruria to 1.30pm. Walks take around 45 minutes and must be booked in advance.
Volunteers will also be handing out maps for self-guided walks, as well as illustrated cards at both sites, helping walkers identify the flora featured on the plaques. Visitors will be able to collect a keepsake pin badge when they reach the end of the trail.
Creative activities will also be on offer, including floral clay workshops with Rita Floyd at Etruria Industrial Museum and Alice Thatcher in Hanley Park, as well as drop-in sessions aboard the Ikon Gallery’s Slow Boat with GRAIN Projects. Visitors can enjoy free hot drinks and live performances by the Bombay Baja Brass Band at 11am in Etruria and 12.30pm in Hanley Park.
A spokesperson for Appetite said: “This event promises to be a joyful gathering, bringing together local residents, stakeholders and visitors to celebrate the Caldon Canal at Etruria as a cherished community space.”
