A Canalside Arcana: Art Trail Launch & Community Celebration

Come and join us as we celebrate the launch of a new public art trail along the canal between Etruria and Hanley Park.

Appetite and Canal & River Trust asked artist Anna Francis to create a permanent work of art along the canal based on how the community in Etruria feel about where they live. For months the community has been giving us their thoughts and getting involved and now we’re thrilled to reveal the final piece: A Canalside Arcana.

A Canalside Arcana is a series of eight ceramic plaques lining the canal path from Etruria to Hanley Park that celebrate the nature that grows there. A pack of beautiful hand-drawn cards, filled with fascinating details of the flora and fauna, myth and magic that you might encounter along the trail has also been created as a guide.

Come and celebrate with us!

Our free celebration event will give you the opportunity to hear from the artist as she describes the project and how feedback from the local community went in to creating the artworks. Visitors on the day will be able to take home with them a pack of the arcana cards, and a printed map so that they can return to the trail again and again and see something new as the seasons turn. Use your arcana cards to identify the wildlife shown on each plaque and you can receive a pin badge as a reward!

But there’s so much more to our celebration event than just the trail! Here’s what you can expect to enjoy throughout the day at Etruria (by the Industrial Museum), Hanley Park (around the band stand), and along the trail itself.

Schedule of activities

Self-guided walks

Pick up a map and pack of arcana cards throughout the day from volunteers at either Hanley Park or Etruria. Use the cards to identify what’s shown on the plaques and pick up a keepsake pin badge at the other end.

Guided walk with Anna*

Hear A Canalside Arcana artist Anna describe the inspiration for and process of designing the plaques as she introduces the trail. You can also take a guided walk along the trail with Anna where she will share her wealth of knowledge on the properties, uses and even folklore of the nature along the canal. Guided walks with Anna are free but must be booked.

11am: Introductory talk by Anna at Etruria canalside

11.30am: Guided trail walk with Anna, Etruria – Hanley Park (meet in the event area around Etruria Industrial Museum)

1.30pm: Guided trail walk with Anna, Hanley Park - Etruria (meet at 1.15pm in lower Hanley Park by the footbridge over the canal)

Activities

11am-3pm: Etruria industrial Museum, normally closed for the winter, will be open throughout the day

11am-3pm, Etruria: Rita Floyd will be demonstrating clay flower art inside the museum

11am-2pm, Hanley Park: Alice Thatcher of British Ceramics Biennial will be leading creative clay activities

11am-2pm: Keep your eyes peeled for The Frog. Will you see him hopping along the trail or making shapes around the band stand?

Refreshments

11am-2pm: Free warm drinks available in Hanley Park and at Etruria

Book onto a guided walk

Walks are expected to take approximately 45 minutes. Please note that this is not a circular walk.

If youhave access needs, please let us know when booking how best we can accommodate you (BSL interpretation, sighted guidance etc). Or call Alternatively you can call the Appetite office on 01782 381 373.

For safety reasons, capacity is limited to 25 per walk, so please book only when you are sure you can attend. If you book and can no longer make it, please cancel your ticket so that it can be given to someone else or give us a call on the number above. Unfilled slots may be available on the day on a first come, first served basis.

Tickets are free to book though there is an option to make a donation at the checkout. All donations go back into the Appetite programme to provide more inspiring events in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, and are greatly appreciated.

Host or Publisher Appetite