EXCITEMENT is building for this year's art trail in Billericay, which organisers say will be bigger and better than ever before.
From July 11 to 21, the town will, once again, be transformed into a giant art exhibition – this time with a record number of artists, poets and performers taking part.
This year there will be additional attractions such as music and food from around the world.
Planning for the 2013 Billericay Art Trail began earlier this year and to date 100 artists, including musicians and poets, have signed up to take part.
Twenty venues have also agreed to display the work of those taking part, who include professional, semi-professional and amateur artists from the Billericay area.
One of the organisers of the event, Cathy Cant, a mosaic artist, said: "This is the second year that Billericay has had its own art trail.
"It really is becoming quite big and it's growing rapidly – it is a lot bigger than I expected this year.
"It used to be part of the Basildon trail, but Billericay has quite a solid community of artists in its own right.
"Some say art is not for them but it's very accessible here and the prices are very reasonable so visitors have a chance to take art home and own it."
The trail will be taking place in the town's shops and businesses and also in artists' homes.
To add to the celebrations there will be poetry and musicians as well as flags, bunting and posters decorating the streets.
Art trail chairman Harvey Bradley said: "We are building the art trail up to have more to it this year.
"The hub of the trail will be at St Mary Magdalen Church, which will have a piece of art from each artist exhibiting.
"There will also be poetry, music and dance presentations as well as the knitting craze known as 'yarn bombing,' which involves knitting certain lengths of wool onto street furniture."
Mr Bradley added: "I will be exhibiting my own art which is porcelain in the form of glasses and bowls.
"Last year I displayed my work in Masons of Billericay on the High Street, which went very well.
"The trail has been described as a pop-up gallery and we are hoping to bring it alive this year."
Mr Bradley's wife Barbara added: "We are trying to showcase Billericay and draw people into the town, not just for the shops.
"There will be surprises to come."
All are welcome to come along and enjoy the event, during the course of which paintings, pottery, graphic art and mosaic work will all be on display.
For the first time artistic types will also be able to have a go at some art-related activities, including a Big Draw with Mark Lewis in Norsey Wood on July 20.
There will also be music from a New Orleans brass band and Creole food (both July 13) at St Mary Magdalen Church triangle, the space between the High Street and Chapel Street.
For more information, visit www.billericayarttrail.co.uk
