2011 Brings a whole new trail to the Basildon area. After the success of the 2010 Basildon District Art Trail, we are pleased to announce plans are underway for a bigger and better art trail for 2011. Artists from Basildon, Billericay and Wickford will once again have the opportunity to exhibit their artwork at venues around the area. The dates for the 2011 trail are 9th Sept -18th Sept

2010 brought the first ever arts trail to the Basildon district. This was known as the Basildon District Arts Trail (BDAT), it was very successful for a first outing; over 30 artists and also over 30 venues. Our website had over 22000 hits during September, the month of the the arts trail. Interest did not stop there, through October there were more than 14000 hits and November still saw over 13000 hits.

Last year the trail displayed 35 artists work in over 30 separate venues around the Basildon district. This year the trail is aiming to push these figures up; more artists, more venues, greater awareness. Last year there were three resident artists over the weekend of the 18th and 19th of September, one based in Barleylands, one in the Eastgate Centre and one in Wickford. Each artist engaged and involved the public throughout this period, raising awareness of the artistic talent within the area and of the arts trail itself.

Less than a month after the end of the trail, the committee were already preparing for the next trail. A new look? A different approach? More venues and artists? All these questions and more were discussed, however the largest decision was prompted by a political change, as Basildon moved from being a district to a borough. And so we unveil our new name: A127 Trail

The committee is entirely voluntary and this trail is an endeavor on its part to raise awareness of the culture within this area. Frequently in the media the Basildon area is portrayed as a cultural wasteland, devoid of talent and cultural awareness.

Applications to be an exhibiting artist are now closed, we have had over 100 entries and all artists will be notified very soon. A big thank you to everyone who has applied, both returning artists and new applicants, for making this year bigger than last years effort.