Jena the Narrow Boat at Poplar Union 2026

A Floating Hub of Maritime Arts in Tower Hamlets

This autumn, Jena the Narrow Boat drops anchor at Poplar Union for a month-long creative residency celebrating canal culture, maritime heritage, and community creativity. From 8 October to 31 October 2026, the traditional narrowboat transforms into an inspiring floating venue, bringing dynamic arts programming and nautical traditions straight to the banks of the Limehouse Cut.

Moored directly outside the community arts centre, Jena the Narrow Boat invites East London residents and canal enthusiasts of all ages to step aboard, engage with local makers, and explore how London's historic waterways continue to inspire modern artistic expression.

Creative Maritime Programming and Activities

Throughout October, Jena the Narrow Boat hosts a rich itinerary of workshops, storytelling sessions, and intimate exhibitions. Designed to foster community connection and celebrate maritime craft, the programming highlights both traditional waterways skills and contemporary arts practice.

• Interactive Craft Workshops: Try your hand at traditional canal arts, ropework, and narrowboat decorative painting.
• Canalside Storytelling and Spoken Word: Gather around the deck for evocative spoken-word performances, folklore, and tales exploring London's working waterways.
• Floating Art Gallery: Discover site-specific installations, photography, and mixed-media projects curated specifically within the vessel's unique cabin interior.
• Family Creative Days: Hands-on weekend activities encouraging young people to engage with ecology, canal wildlife, and boat building through making.

Celebrating the Heritage of the Limehouse Cut

Tower Hamlets has long been defined by its historic docks, basins, and canals. As London's oldest canal, the Limehouse Cut provides the ideal historical setting for Jena's residency. The project highlights the living history of boat-dwellers and working barges, bridging the gap between historical industry and contemporary arts.

By activating both the boat's intimate living quarters and the adjacent indoor and outdoor spaces at Poplar Union, the residency offers a reflective space to consider environmental stewardship, waterborne living, and shared urban public spaces.

Visiting Jena the Narrow Boat at Poplar Union

Jena the Narrow Boat will be stationed at Poplar Union, located on Cotall Street in Poplar, throughout the run from 8 to 31 October 2026. While daytime viewings of the vessel from the towpath are free to the public, individual onboard sessions, talks, and hands-on workshops may require advance registration due to limited capacity inside the boat cabin. Visitors are encouraged to check the daily schedule to book workshops, grab a warm drink from the waterside cafe, and experience this bespoke maritime celebration.