A giant phoenix made from recycled wood, rubber and feathers was the public’s favourite exhibit in this summer’s recycled art trail in Teignmouth.

‘A Phoenix Rising from Climate Change’, created by artists Amanda Lyon-Smith and Brian Taylor, symbolised resurrection, new life and hope in the battle to survive global warming and climate change.

Over 400 people voted in the public awards but ‘this piece resonated with so many people and captured the hearts of our community and visitors,’ commented Teignmouth Recycled Art in the Landscape (TRAIL) organiser Sam Lock.

TRAIL, which this year returned to the seafront for the first time since 2022, featured 13 sculptures created by professional artists, local schools and community groups, including over 1500 young people. ‘Your creativity has brought new life to the exhibition, and your enthusiasm is a true testament to the power of collaboration,’ Sam declared. ‘This summer, TRAIL was viewed and appreciated by thousands of visitors. It’s been heartwarming to see the community and visitors embrace the exhibition and to hear such positive feedback about having TRAIL back on the seafront where it belongs,’ she added.

The Great Wave, created by children at Montgomery Primary School in Exeter, was awarded the Jurassic Golf Community Award. The sculpture was inspired by the famous woodblock print ‘Under the Wave at Kanagawa’ by Japanese artist Hokusai and created after the children learnt about marine plastic pollution in their ‘Seaside’ topic.

‘Under the Wave’ also inspired the Make it Thursday (MIT) group sculpture ‘Reflective Waves: Balance of Nature’, which won the Environmental Award. This award celebrates ingenuity in creating art from recycled materials and conveying a powerful environmental message.

Make it Thursday is a weekly social crafting group that provides friendship and support for people with past of current caring roles.

Another support group, Friday TIME (Teignmouth in Mind and Environment), which promotes mental health wellbeing through art, won the Teignmouth Art Society Artist Award for their ‘Plastic Jellyfish – A Rubbish Meal’ installation. The group crocheted jellyfish from strips of plastic packaging to highlight how larger sea creatures such as turtles and dolphins often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and end up dying after ingesting the plastic waste.

A special ‘Star’ award was also awarded this year to Julien Wayer-Brown, ‘went above and beyond’ as he stepped in to help organiser Amy Lock with the TRAIL exhibition along with numerous other local art projects such as the subway murals and Christmas trees at Teignmouth Arts Action Group (TAAG).

‘This year was my first time leading the trail on my own. I came into it with so much drive, passion, and energy, but I also faced some unexpected challenges,’ Sam said. Julien not only kept me motivated and smiling through it all, but he also reminded me why I’m so passionate about what I do,’ she added. ‘It has been a remarkable journey filled with creativity, collaboration and community spirit.’

Thanking all who contributed to this year’s TRAIL exhibition, Sam noted: ‘Your talent and vision have made TRAIL an inspiring event for us all.’