“What began as a passion project, has become something so much more.”

The River Lea Art Trail

A community-driven public art installation stretching along the river towpath between Ware and Hertford in East Hertfordshire.

My role as Project Manager

Bringing bold, functional art to the river.

The trail officially opened on May 31, 2026.

The vision for this trail was born from countless walks along my local river and seeing tired, worn-out furniture. As an upcycler, it was my natural instinct to want to fix these benches. Transforming them into vibrant, functional art felt like the obvious next step. What started as a passion project quickly grew into a massive reality. Taking the lead as Project Manager, I built this from the ground up. From pitching the very first proposal, to selecting a talented team of local artists, to managing the logistics and installations. I oversaw every step of bringing this trail to life.

The Mission:

I wanted to create an art trail that makes art accessible for everyone, both mentally and physically. The goal was to build an open-air gallery that not only supports local artists but also provides functional art as resting points. Ultimately, it is about encouraging people to get outside, practice mindfulness, draw visitors to the area, and create a real sense of joy and pride within the community.

Making It Happen:

Transforming the towpath was a true community effort, and this trail simply wouldn't be possible without our incredible partners. A massive thank you goes to the Ware Men's Shed for their tireless volunteer work restoring the benches, and to Guild Lane for stepping up as our paint partners of this project. Finally, this vision was brought to reality thanks to vital funding and support from East Herts Council (via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund), Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, Hertfordshire County Council, and a generous private sponsor.

My Design:

My art is driven by feeling, abstract movement, and a love for gold. For this piece, the inspiration came straight from the River Lea’s heritage. The River Lea was once dubbed as having a 'Golden Era' during the 19th century, and the Celtic root of 'Lea' actually means 'bright' or 'light.' So, for me, highlighting this with a bold gold base was the only way to go.

The design connects two worlds from the rippling water below to the environment above. I used a faux malachite technique to echo both the movement of the river and the woodgrain of the surrounding trees.

Through this combination of abstract art and traditional decorative finishing, I wanted to celebrate the River Lea as a place of beauty, movement, history, and connection.