Proud Portraits Exhibition Arrives Along the Abbey Line
Celebrating Kindness, Inclusion and Community
A powerful celebration of identity, inclusion and shared humanity has arrived on the Abbey Line during Pride Month. The Proud Portraits: Reflections of You exhibition invites visitors to experience a unique journey between Watford and St Albans.
Created in 2023, the Proud Portraits exhibition reflects Proud Watford’s vision for the town — and beyond — as “places without prejudice.”
Through accessible events and activities, Proud Watford brings together people of all identities, sexualities, disabilities, ages and ethnicities on common ground.
The exhibition features 19 individuals with strong associations to Watford, each captured in striking portraits set against muted tones of the Rainbow Flag. In a deliberate and thought-provoking approach, no additional information is provided about the sitters, encouraging viewers to see each person first and foremost as a fellow human being.
At the end of the display, visitors encounter a mirror — a simple yet powerful invitation to join the exhibition themselves, not just in that moment, but in spirit, standing on equal terms with every other sitter.
Uniquely, the exhibition spans the Abbey Line itself. One half is displayed on the Abbey Line platform at Watford Junction, with the second half waiting to be discovered at the opposite end of the route at St Albans Abbey station — encouraging travel, exploration and connection along the line.
The exhibition has been kindly made possible with funding from Abbey Station Friends via London NorthWestern Railway’s Station Adoption Fund, alongside support from the Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership.
Steve Cavinder, Chair of the Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership, said:
“This exhibition perfectly reflects our ‘Being Kind Along the Line’ ethos. It reminds us that our railway is not just about travel, but about people — creating spaces where everyone feels welcome, respected and valued. Projects like this bring communities together and make our stations places of pride and connection.”
Ian Port, Chair of Proud Watford, added:
“We are delighted that Proud Portraits: Reflections of You is enjoying another outing, this time in partnership with The Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership. The exhibition reflects Proud Watford’s vision of creating places without prejudice, where people of different backgrounds, identities, sexualities and experiences are seen first and foremost as fellow human beings. We hope visitors travelling along the line will take a moment to engage with the portraits, reflect on our shared humanity, and perhaps see themselves as part of the story too.”
Cara Higgs, community strategy manager at LNR, said:
“We are pleased to host this exhibition at Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey stations in celebration of Pride month.
“Watford Junction is one of our busiest stations, used by millions of passengers every year. We encourage our customers to go and visit the artwork on Platform 11 and to journey along the Abbey Line, offering a chance to reflect on what pride and inclusion means to them.”
There is growing interest in establishing similar community groups, including in St Albans, inspired by Proud Watford’s success. Anyone interested in being part of developing this initiative is encouraged to get in touch with Proud Watford.
Proud Watford is a project of The Pump House Theatre and Arts Trust
