The Story Trail Paint & Sip

Waterstones is hosting a paint and sip evening on Wednesday 16 September, from 19:00 to 21:00, and the whole thing is built around The Story Trail. The night is a chance to paint your own small BookBench sculpture to take home, with the giant ones scattered across the city as your inspiration.

The Story Trail is Brighton and Hove's first storybook art trail, run by the local charity Amaze in partnership with Wild in Art. From 12 September to 8 November, more than 30 giant BookBenches — each an open book designed by a local artist — will be standing in the city's streets, parks and open spaces. Alongside them, you'll find smaller BookBenches decorated by local schools and community groups. The trail is free and family-friendly, with a printed map and an app by DabApps to help you find them all. The large sculptures are then auctioned off during a Farewell Weekend in late November, with the money going to Amaze, which supports families with disabled children across Sussex.

The paint and sip evening lets you add your own chapter to the city's tale. You'll spend the evening painting your own small BookBench, inspired by the larger ones that will be out across Brighton and Hove. It's a way to get involved with the trail yourself, rather than just walking past the sculptures.

Tickets are £15, and the session runs from 19:00 to 21:00 at Waterstones, 71-74 North Street, BN1 1ZA. Since the trail opens on 12 September, you'll have a few days to see the giant BookBenches in person before the evening on the 16th.