IYP Smethwick Imaginarium

Practices, reflections and worlds on the water led by Cathy Wade

This session offers an opportunity to reflect on your artistic practice, considering what nurtures your practice alongside the challenges you are navigating within it.

The day includes time for immersion in the wilds and ecology of the Smethwick canal network through image making, text, gesture and sound.

Discover the powerful connection between artists and waterways and the endless possibilities it offers for creativity. You are invited to bring a work in progress or a resource you want to contribute to the session.

Canalside Art School is a week of exploration along Smethwick’s waterways on Ikon’s Slowboat. This is part of the Canal & River Trust’s Smethwick Imaginarium Project.

About Smethwick Imaginarium

Smethwick Imaginarium is a place-based arts programme celebrating the cultural diversity, canal heritage and community spirit of Smethwick. Six artists working across photography, performance, poetry, graphic design, sculpture and curation, collaborate with local residents and community organisations to co-create work that explores the role of the Galton Valley Canal.

This programme forms part of Smethwick Imaginarium, a Canal & River Trust project funded by Arts Council England and through funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Delivered in partnership with North Smethwick Development Trust / Brasshouse Community Centre and Smethwick Interfaith Friends Group, Smethwick Library and Ikon Slow Boat.

Ikon Youth Programme (IYP)
IYP brings together emerging artists, designers, writers, photographers, policy makers and earth scientists aged 16–21. Participants co-lead programmes, exhibitions and events, working collaboratively with regional and national artists through workshops, shared resources and ongoing knowledge exchange. IYP is supported by Freelands Foundation.

Slow Boat
With the support of Freelands Foundation, Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) is navigating the waterways aboard Slow Boat, a converted narrowboat, as part of a six-year project (2021–27). Working with creative thinkers and makers, IYP is reimagining Slow Boat as a local art school.