What does Widnes REALLY smell like? Join artist Kate McLean on a ‘Smellwalk’ to find out

Join Kate McLean on a smellwalk around Widnes as part of a new exhibition opening at Catalyst in July; Two Centuries of Stink: Small Mapping Widnes Past and Present.

Running over four days, with two walks a day from Saturday 29^th May to Tuesday 1^st June, these smellwalks are an opportunity for visitors to be smell detectives and describe Widnes ’nose-first’.

During the walk Kate will explain the concept of the “smellscape” and answer any questions. Each group will walk one of 8 carefully-designed routes to build a picture of how Widnes smells in 2021. They will start by discussing how smells might be described and then walk for 15 minutes of “smell catching” before stopping to share individual experiences. The group will then continue walking for another 15 minutes doing some “smell hunting” and share findings. The final walking section brings the group back to Catalyst where they will use purpose designed smell visualisers to explain their smellwalk using colours and shapes.

Participants should come prepared to walk 1km, bring water (also available from the Catalyst cafe) and wear shoes that are comfortable. They should come with an open mind, an open nose and are advised not to use their favourite perfume or aftershave on the day of your smellwalk as it will dominate the other smells around!

The morning walk will start at 11:00 and finish back at Catalyst at 12:00

The afternoon walk will start at 14:00 and finish back at Catalyst at 15:00

Tickets for the above are FREE OF CHARGE but tickets are limited to just 16 per walk so please book early.

Suitable for ages 9 and over.

If you wish to enter the galleries at Catalyst then please purchase admission tickets separately.

Please note : All walks will begin from the reception area at Catalyst.