Where creativity meets connection
Brighton & Hove’s first storybook art trail will arrive across the city in Autumn 2026. You’ll be able to discover local artists’ creations on over 30 BookBench sculptures in the city’s streets and parks, on a trail organised by local charity Amaze- which supports families with disabled children in Sussex.
The new BookBench sculpture and details of the Story Trail was unveiled at The Engineerium in Hove yesterday (Wed 1 Oct), with families who use Amaze services, local businesses, and local artists in attendance.
Actor Will Ellis, who plays Theo Hawthorne in Eastenders, hosted the event. He became an ambassador for Amaze after accessing the charity’s support for his son, who is non-verbal. Will said: “Amaze has gone a long way to help us out, so I’m really happy to support them. I’d encourage any local business to take up the chance of sponsoring this awesome city-wide event.”
Amaze supports parents and carers with children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. They also support young people with SEND aged 14 to 25 through a range of services, including an advice line, resources, groups, and benefits support designed to help families with the emotional and practical demands of caring for a child or young person with additional needs.
Smaller BookBenches will also add chapters to the city’s Story Trail, which is to be decorated by local schools and community groups.
Hannah Albrooke, Head of Fundraising and Marketing at Amaze said: “We are thrilled to be bringing this new Story Trail to our city next autumn. The Story Trail will invite people to discover the immense creativity and imagination displayed on each BookBench throughout the city.
“Our sculpture is a BookBench, which means each art piece also acts as a convenient spot to rest. As a disability charity, we are designing the trail with accessibility in mind and can’t wait to reveal more over the next 12 months.”
You will find a map of each painted BookBench location on the Amaze website at https://amazesussex.org.uk/thestorytrail and on a mobile app when the trail routes are announced next year.
Sally Polanski, Chief Executive at Amaze added: “We’re really excited to be launching our new Story Trail. This immersive city-wide art trail will also help us raise vital funds and write new, brighter chapters for many local families who are raising a child with a disability or special educational needs.
“Many people aren’t aware that it costs three times as much to raise a child with a disability, so all funds raised through next year’s Story Trail will provide a much-needed boost and help us offer more practical and advisory services for the families who use Amaze,” said Polanski.
The Story Trail is produced in partnership with global art producers Wild in Art. Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder, Wild in Art said: “We’re delighted to partner with Amaze to bring the Story Trail to life in Brighton and Hove. Our BookBenches celebrate creativity, storytelling, and community and we can’t wait to see how local artists make each sculpture their own. It’s a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to get involved, show their support, and be part of something truly special in the city next year.”
Wild in Art is the leading producer of spectacular public art events that entertain, enrich, inform, and leave a lasting legacy. It brings together businesses and creative sectors with schools and local communities through the creation of uniquely painted sculptures.
Since 2008, Wild in Art events have enabled over £28.7m to be raised for charitable causes, injected £5.3m into local creative communities, engaged over 1.5 million young people in learning programmes, and helped millions of people of all ages to experience art in non-traditional settings.
Artists will be invited to participate and showcase their ideas on a BookBench in early 202. Anyone looking to get involved can find more details HERE
Images by Victoria Dawe Photogrpahy
SALT Staff Writer
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