Community Art Takes Flight with ‘Abbey Fliers’
Exhibition Along the Abbey Line
The Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership (CRP), in collaboration with Collective Gallery, is delighted to announce the launch of Abbey Fliers: Celebrating the Birds of the Abbey Line – a vibrant new community art exhibition.
The exhibition brings together a diverse collection of artworks inspired by the birdlife found along the Abbey Flyer line between St Albans Abbey station and Watford Junction. Created through an open call, the display features contributions from local residents and artists of all ages and abilities, working across painting, drawing, photography and mixed media. Each piece captures the character and beauty of the birds that share our urban and natural spaces – from garden favourites to wetland species and birds of prey.
Selected artworks are now on display at St Albans Abbey station and Platform 11 of Watford Junction, transforming station spaces into welcoming galleries that celebrate community, creativity and local wildlife. The exhibition highlights the Abbey Line as more than just a transport corridor – showcasing it as a living route rich in biodiversity.
All submitted artworks, 147 in total, including those not physically displayed, can also be viewed online through Collective Gallery – ensuring every participant is recognised and celebrated.
Launch events at both Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey stations brought the exhibition to life, with exhibiting artists of all ages attending – some accompanied by enthusiastic supporters. At St Albans Abbey, the Mayor of St Albans paid a special visit to officially open the exhibition, celebrating the creativity of the local community and the environmental message.
The exhibitors were proud and thankful to have this opportunity and loved the community aspect of the project. For most of them this was the first time they had had their work on public display.
Abbey Line CRP Chair, Steve Cavinder said;
“We’re incredibly proud to bring Abbey Fliers to our stations and celebrate the creativity of our local communities alongside the natural beauty of the Abbey Line. This exhibition really captures what the line is all about – connecting people, places and nature. It’s wonderful to see so many residents, artists and young people getting involved, and we hope it inspires everyone to look a little more closely at the wildlife around them and take pride in this special route.”
Lee Wood, Vice-Chair of the Ver Valley Society, environmentalist and exhibition judge, said;
“Abbey Fliers is a fantastic celebration of the rich birdlife that thrives along the Abbey Line and a reminder of how important these green corridors are for both wildlife and people. The range and quality of the artwork has been truly inspiring, capturing not only the beauty of these species but also the community’s connection to the natural environment. It’s been a privilege to be involved, and I hope the exhibition encourages more people to notice, value and help protect the biodiversity right on their doorstep.”
Adding to the celebration, students from The Marlborough Science Academy in St Albans have created their own complementary exhibition, now on display at the Walkway Gallery at Watford Junction (just off Platform 11). Their work offers fresh perspectives on the theme, demonstrating the creativity and environmental awareness of young people in the community.
Visitors are encouraged to explore the exhibitions at the stations, and discover the Abbey Line Trail – a walking route along the line – for themselves.
Thanks to all our funders, especially London Northwestern Railway, and for their kind permission to display the artwork.
