A THURROCK-based company that puts art at the centre of local communities is taking a lead role in a new project that involve a collaboration of residents and artists on a coastal journey from Suffolk to Tilbury.

Kinetika is an internationally renowned company, specialising in creating large-scale hand-painted silks.

For more than 20 years they have been combining world-class design with community projects to produce spectacular outdoor commissions that engage diverse audiences wherever they work.

Founded by artistic director Ali Pretty in 1997 and inspired by her training in carnival arts in Trinidad and India, Kinetika now has an unrivalled reputation for working with local communities on projects that change the way people feel about where they live.

From local community walks in Essex to high streets and city squares across the UK, out to the Great Wall of China, Ethiopia and West Bengal.

Its latest project planned for this summer is called 'Beach of Dreams' and will be launched at Kinetika's home base High House Production Park, Purfleet-on-Thames on 13 June.

But in reality the work starts now as Kinetika has called for participation with activities people can do at home.

Evolving restrictions connected to the ongoing pandemic dictate that changes will be made to the activities eg the walk, according to current restrictions in force at the time.

Beach of Dreams is an epic journey to discover the hidden gems of the East Coast of England, inviting collaboration from communities and artists along the way in Suffolk, Essex, Southend, and Thurrock.

Kinetika's Artistic Director, Ali Pretty, and Guardian journalist Kevin Rushby are walking the entire route, joined by artists, writers, scientists, and local residents. Together, guided by strong environmental themes and the challenges of our current time, they will consider the question "How can we creatively reimagine our future?"

Residents along the route are being invited to choose a mile to walk with them and asked to submit an image of the landscape, a drawing and a few words about your connection to it and your dream for its future. All words and photos sent in will contribute to a new digital story map of the coastal path, reflecting and recording the narrative of the walk as it unfolds.

Images submitted by 9 April will be used as inspiration for the design of 500 silk pennants illustrating the beautiful coastal landscape and its challenges. These pennants will be hand painted using natural dyes by the Kinetika Design Studio and form spectacular installations during the event.

An installation of all 500 pennants will mark the beginning of the walk on 27 June, at sunrise on the beach at Lowestoft, during the First Light Summer Solstice. The route follows the coast, taking in stunning scenery, wild landscapes and seaside towns. Further installations and events take place along the way including Harwich Festival on 10 July and the finale at Tilbury Fort on 1 August.

You can find out more by visiting the Beach of Dreams website.