The Wellingborough Heritage Art Trail launches on 8th November as part of our Inspiring Black Creativity programme. Pick up a Heritage Art Trail map at Wellingborough Library, then explore the audio walk and art trail around the town!
About the Heritage Art Trail
On Saturday 8th November a new Heritage Art Trail made with local people launches in Wellingborough Library, including an audio trail by Andy Barrett, portraiture by artist Georgina Payne and mural art by Alan Howard.
Over the past several months, Made With Many has been working with three artists and the local community under the mentorship of the Black Heritage Walks Network to develop an art trail that will showcase historical aspects of Wellingborough’s Black community. Visits to the Northamptonshire Black History Association archives and the Victoria Centre have included community conversations, providing valuable content for the artists to develop their artwork.
Andy Barrett
Andy Barrett from Excavate has been working with the local community to create a 90-minute audio walk that explores the history of the Black community in Wellingborough through a series of stories and narration that can be listened to as you are directed on a walk across the town.
This audio walk draws from and builds on the work of previous historical research, and is largely informed through interviews with many members of the community, fragments of which are included here. Performed by a community cast, with music from local artists and community groups, this work has involved around forty people of all ages in its making.
Bringing something of a hidden history to life through a wide cast of characters it is best experienced as a walking tour (although can be listened to at home), with the five stories at the heart of the walk also available to be listened to via mp3 players situated in Wellingborough Library and Wellingborough Museum.
Listen on our SoundCloud channel, which can be accessed via your phone when walking the trail!
GUIDANCE: Please note, content may include themes of racism, racial slurs and discriminatory language.
Excavate is a community arts company based in Nottingham who have been producing community storytelling events for the past 25 years, creating theatre performances, films, and audio work.
Georgina Payne
Georgina Payne is a multidisciplinary artist, educator and Creative Expressive Therapeutic Facilitator whose work explores identity, heritage and collective memory. Her practice integrates visual art, movement, music and drama to create inclusive spaces for creativity, particularly with young people and those with special educational needs.
Through a mixed-media approach including lino printing, painting, illustration and film, Payne encourages communities to engage with their shared stories. Her recent contribution to the Wellingborough Heritage Art Trail celebrates the town’s Black community, embedding its histories and cultural legacies into the local landscape as a living archive for future generations.
Mixed media artworks at Wellingborough Library by Georgina Payne
Alan Howard
Alan Howard is an established artist, facilitator and educator whose career spans over four decades of creative and community development. Having painted his first mural in 1976 at the Rock Street Community Complex, he has since combined his artistic vision with a deep commitment to social engagement.
Educated at Nene College School of Art & Design, Dartington College of Arts, The University of Wolverhampton and De Montfort Leicester, Howard’s practice has consistently bridged formal education and community art.
His extensive experience includes collaboration with local and national organisations, while his recent work focuses on teaching art, design and technology alongside a renewed dedication to his own creative output.
Painting of Anita Neil by Alan Howard
Where can I find the Heritage Art Trail?
Pick up a Heritage Art Trail map at Wellingborough Library and take a circular walk from there or visit any of the following locations to view artworks:
- Wellingborough Library 7 Pebble Lane, Wellingborough NN8 1AS
Open Mon – Sat to view 4 artworks by Georgina Payne or listen to stories on mp3 player. - Victoria Centre 46 – 50 Palk Road, Wellingborough NN8 1HR
Open Mon – Fri to view 3 artworks by Georgina Payne - Wellingborough United Reformed Church High Street, Wellingborough NN8 4HW
1 artwork outside by Georgina Payne - Wellingborough African Caribbean Association (WACA) 27 – 29 Rock Street, Wellingborough NN8 4LW
6 artworks outside by Alan Howard and 2 artworks inside by Georgina Payne
Open Wed 9am – 1.30am & Fri 10.30am 1.30pm (other hours by arrangement)
- Wellingborough Museum 12 Castle Way, Wellingborough NN8 1XB
Open Mon – Sat to view 3 artworks by Georgina Payne or listen to stories on mp3 player.
