You can’t keep a good artist down, in Walthamstow.

The town is always buzzing with creativity, but this week it’s burst out into streets, gardens and 90 different venues across the town.

It’s the annual E17 Art Trail, set up by local artists five years ago because there’s hardly any art space in Waltham Forest.

Private houses become public spaces with artwork exhibited on every inch of wall.

Shops and cafes, pubs and workplaces turn into temporary art galleries.

The outside of the fire station has been delicately wallpapered in a reminder of William Morris, who was born on the site.

Artworks have blossomed on tree branches and photos hanging on a hedge offer passers-by a ‘privet view’.

Trolls lurk on Katja Rosenberg’s roof and jewelled goddesses dazzle visitors to Shirley Pountney’s front room.

See the fabulous life-size satin kebab-shop at the Pump House Museum on Sunday, or dreams and vision for the arcade site at the Olde Rose and Crown any evening this week.

It’s art for the people, as lively and diverse as the hundreds of artists taking part.

Fun though it is, it points up the lack of provision the rest of the year.

Cynical as ever, Waltham Forest council has now jumped on this popular bandwagon, and in return for a little funding gets its name on the widely distributed Art Trail guide.

But the rest of the year, the council -- famed for burning library books and trying to get rid of our priceless William Morris art collection – treats culture like an outbreak of cholera.

The trouble is, our councillors may enjoy the good life on their fat salaries, but they don’t want the rest of us getting ideas above our station – let alone open our young people’s eyes to beauty, self-expression or aspiration.

Most of the Art Trail venues are privately owned, and some survive despite the worst efforts of the council.

An art centre would cost little to run, in a place with as much talent and community spirit as Walthamstow.

But despite promising an art centre more than once over the past few years, the council has broken its promise each time.

So make the most of this week’s outpouring of creativity.

There’s art on display all year round in Walthamstow, but you’ve got to look out to find it.

www.e17arttrail.co.uk