Two charities have joined forces to create an event showcasing artistic talent and shops and venues in New Milton.
The Friends of New Milton Station (FNMS) and the Lions Club of New Milton & District is inviting residents and businesses to take part in the town-wide Arts Trail from 1st to 15th August.
Shops and venues are being asked to display one or more pieces of art by local artists for the two weeks.
It is hoped this will encourage locals to visit places they might not normally visit and bring more visitors to New Milton during the summer season.
The project sprung from FNMS’s community consultations on the future use of the station buildings, which showed a strong desire for more art in the town.
FNMS chair Mandy Hayes said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for art and commerce to support and promote each other and would bring some extra colour and fun to the summer holidays in New Milton!”
Local artist Debbie Chinchen has created the event logo and will soon be working on the map to guide people round the trail.
Other local artists have offered to be ‘arts trail buddies’, helping the artists link up with the shops and venues and helping with ideas on how to display the works.
Artists and venues can register online at newmilton.org.uk/arts-trail by 31st May.
Artists are asked to hold public liability insurance (about £50 per year), with organisers hoping to build a fund to support those for whom this would be a barrier to exhibiting.
Contributions can be made via the Friends’ ‘Buy Me A Coffee’ link on the website.
Those wishing to help out or be arts trail buddies can email friends@newmilton.org.uk