DYSPLA Commissioned for New Southbury Art Trail

Journeys and Places are delighted to announce that we have commissioned DYSPLA, an award-winning local arts studio, to create a bold new public arts project: 'This Is Southbury Art Trail'.

As part of the wider Shaping Southbury regeneration programme, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the art trail will celebrate the identity, resilience and creativity of the Southbury community. Stretching approximately 1km across Southbury Road, Kingsway and Queensway, the trail will showcase 3D portraits, collaboratively written poetry by local school children, digital art and augmented-reality experiences.

About DYSPLA?

DYSPLA is a London-based arts studio dedicated to supporting and platforming Neurodivergent Creatives. Their work spans film, poetry, digital art and installation, with a strong focus on amplifying underrepresented voices and championing innovative, community-led storytelling.

Journeys and Places selected DYSPLA for this commission due to their innovative creative approach, their commitment to inclusion and representation, their experience in delivering impactful public art, and their strong track record of working closely with local residents, students and artists.

About the Project

‘This Is Southbury Art Trail’ will feature 19 local “Kings and Queens” - everyday heroes who live, work or study in the Southbury, Kingsway or Queensway area. Selected participants will have their stories transformed into:

• A 3D-printed sculptural portrait mounted on a local lamppost
• A poem co-written with local students inspired by their personal story
• A QR-activated digital and AR experience, offering an interactive layer to the trail

The project aims to celebrate Southbury’s rich identity, manufacturing heritage and the idea of the “Third Place” - the communal spaces between home, work and school where connection thrives.

How the Community Will Be Involved

The project will be shaped through interviews, workshops and public events. DYSPLA will also work closely with a local school, where students will collaborate with selected participants to transform their personal stories into original poems that will accompany each 3D portrait along the trail. The call-out for participants is now open, and DYSPLA is looking for distinctive personalities - makers, mentors, workers, caregivers and anyone whose story forms part of the fabric of Southbury.

Key Dates:

• Call-Out Deadline: 20 December 2025
• Selection Interviews: December 2025 – January 2026
• Public Launch: March 2026

Are You a Local Resident on Queensway or Nearby?

Do You Know Someone Who Should Be Part of the Trail?

If you or someone you know reflects the spirit of Southbury, DYSPLA would love to hear from you.

To nominate a local King or Queen and help shape the future of the Southbury Art Trail, please get in touch here.