A fabric kebab shop, a ping-pong party and a secret garden of fairy tales are just the tip of the creative iceberg for this year’s E17 Art Trail, which runs for nine days from next Saturday. And with more than 350 participants, 150 free exhibitions, walks, talks and cycle rides and 90 venues involved, it promises to be the biggest and brightest yet.

Now in its fifth year, organisers have chosen the theme of ‘at home’ for 2009, to celebrate the places where Walthamstow residents live and work. The trail will also pay homage to the fantastic sense of community and wealth of artistic talent in the borough, with many artists flinging open the doors of their studios, garden sheds and living room floors to the public.

In addition, this year will feature three specially commissioned projects made possible by an Arts Council England grant.

The commissions were awarded to Della Rees, Image17 and Valerie Grove.

Della will produce a site-specific installation inspired by the life and work of William Morris and installed at his birthplace. Image17 will document the huge variety of local leisure and social groups within the borough for their exhibition Meet; and Valerie Grove, whose blog will give background information on artists, with an insight into the creative process, providing viewers a chance to take part in the trail on another level and comment on what they see.

Moira Sinclair, executive director of Arts Council England, remarks: “The E17 Art Trail has grown over the last four years to be a cultural highlight in Waltham Forest. It is a time when people can see new and interesting art that has a real affinity with their local area, as well as an opportunity to meet local artists and talk to them about their work.”

The E17 Art Trail runs from Saturday, September 5 to Sunday, September 13. For full details visit www.e17arttrail.co.uk. For the blog visit http://e17arttrail.blogspot.com/