Join Anneka French and Cathy Wade for Canalside Art School, a week of exploration on the Smethwick waterways with Ikon Slowboat as part of the Canal & River Trust’s Smethwick Imaginarium Project, accompanied by projects, people and studio groups including Ikon Youth Programme, Black Hole Club Network and BCU MA Arts and Education Practices.  

Tuesday 7th July, 2pm – 4pm
Brasshouse NSDT, Brasshouse Lane
Flowing Streams with Harun Morrison.

Book your free place here.

Join artist Harun Morrison for an environmentally focused workshop that explores the cultural, industrial, religious and meteorological significance of water. The workshop is centered around Flowing Streams, the prototype of a water-themed board game that invites participants to explore future shapes it might take. You are invited to co-develop, test and play a new version of the games rule system and game play, using a board and set of icons as prompts. 

Monday 13th July, 11am – 3pm
Slow Boat, Smethwick Canalside
Practices, reflections and worlds on the water led by Cathy Wade.

Fully Booked.

This session offers an opportunity to reflect on your artistic practice on Ikon’s Slowboat, considering what nurtures your practice alongside the challenges you are navigating within it. The day will include time for immersion in the wilds and ecology of the Smethwick canal network through image making, text, gesture and sound that explores the reciprocal relationship artists can have with the waterways and the potentials it holds for artists. You are invited to bring a work in progress or a resource you want to contribute to the session.

Tuesday 14th July, 11am – 4pm
Slow Boat, Smethwick Canalside
Green Space exploration with Exodus Crooks and MA Arts and Education Practices. Fully booked.

There are limited places available on this session to join Exodus Crooks and MA Arts and Education Practices in an exploration of the green spaces of the Smethwick Canal network from the vantage point of Ikon’s Slowboat. 

Wednesday 15th July, 11am – 2pm
Smethwick Canalside
Sandwell Archives and the canal networks with Laurie Ramsell and MA Arts and Education Practices. Book your free place here.

There are limited places available on this session to join Laurie Ramsell and MA Arts and Education Practices in an exploration of the Sandwell Archives collections at Smethwick Library and time with Ikon’s Slowboat to look at the relationship between the archives and the present. 

Saturday 18th July, 1.30pm – 4.45pm
Brasshouse NSDT, Brasshouse Lane
Reflections on Water with Cathy Wade and Anneka French.

Book your free ticket here.

Join Cathy Wade and Anneka French for a reflective session on artistic practice and the creative potential of the waterways in and around Smethwick. We’ll be looking back at learning from across the week and thinking about the future of the waterways.

Saturday 18th July, 4pm – 5pm
Brasshouse NSDT, Brasshouse Lane
Artist talk with Andrew Jackson.

Book your free ticket here.

Andrew Jackson is a British-Canadian artist working across photography, moving image, sound and text. Based in Montréal, his work explores memory, migration, Black presence, family and the histories carried by place. Born in Dudley and having previously lived in Smethwick for two decades, Andrew brings a personal connection to the area and to wider Midlands histories of migration, community and belonging that continue to shape his practice.

Tuesday 21st July
Brasshouse NSDT, Brasshouse Lane
12noon-1.30pm

Collaging the Canal with Ezra Jackson. Nook your free ticket here.
Join artist Ezra Jackson for a relaxed collage and drawing workshop exploring the insects and other wildlife you’ll find alongside the canals in Smethwick. We’ll use a range of materials to explore this special habitat, looking at specimens to inspire creativity. This session follows on from the Community Canal Clean, 10.30-11.30am.

Further Information:

Ikon Slowboat: Is supported by Freelands Foundation, over six years (2021-27) Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) navigates the waterways on board Slow Boat, a converted narrow boat. IYP are collaborating with creative thinkers and makers to reimagine Slow Boat as a local art school. 

Ikon Youth Programme (IYP) is a group of emerging artists, designers, writers, photographers, policy makers and earth scientists (16–21yrs). We co-lead programming, exhibitions and events, working with regional and national artists through workshops, shared resource and ongoing knowledge exchange. Ikon Youth Programme is funded by Freelands Foundation. 

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 are collaborating with local residents and community organisations to co-create work that explores the role of the Galton Valley Canal in our community. The programme launched in February 2026 with free creative workshops at Smethwick Library and canal activities in partnership with Brasshouse Community Centre. Throughout summer and autumn, artists will share their work at public moments along the canal and in local venues, culminating in a celebratory festival.

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.