AN arts programme will celebrate the rebirth of a historic 21-mile Worcestershire canal route.

'The Ring' project sees artists from across the region and internationally create a series of artworks, events and activities exploring the heritage and ecology of the county's waterways.

The project takes place from September this year until September 2018 and is supported by the Canal and River Trust.

The project marks the time that the Droitwich Canals were restored, resulting in the reconnection of the Mid-Worcestershire Ring in 2011, a 21-mile route, reconnecting Droitwich to the River Severn.

The restoration involved decades of hard work in which 300,000 tons of mud was shifted by volunteers and canal workers.

Cathy Mager, artistic director of The Ring, said: "We're thrilled and inspired by the ideas of our growing collective of artists, performers, filmmakers and writers who are working in a variety of ways to reimagine the waterways of Worcestershire. "The Ring's new events and commissions will flow through 21 miles of contrasting landscapes: from the calm and sleepy suburban canals to fast flowing tidal rivers, through to busy historic city centres and to picturesque countryside.”

In April 2018 the public programme will be launched.

Audiences will be invited to explore on foot, by boat or bicycle a series of five public art commissions, as well as a series of works by local artists.

Activities will take place along the waterways encircling Droitwich and Worcester and includes the Worcester and Birmingham Canals, the Droitwich Canals and the River Severn.

Manda Graham, project manager added: “We're delighted to be launching our new website to share the many opportunities coming up over the next year for artists and local people to join in and take part in the programme of exciting arts events and activities we’re planning.”

In addition to the five artist commissions, there is a new £10,000 opportunity open to artists to make a public artwork by re-purposing and recycling flood waste collected from canals and rivers in the Worcestershire area.

For more information visit: https://theringart.org.uk/news/opening-the-floodgates-arts-on-the-waterways-open-call-opportunity-in-worcestershire/