London’s art trail is shifting south to Croydon starting tomorrow. The National Gallery’s “Art On Your Doorstep” programme, which takes iconic works out of the museum walls and brings them into your neighbourhood, officially launches tomorrow (3 February).
If you live in Croydon or happen to be passing through, you’ll be able to see 30 life-size reproductions of some of the museum’s most treasured masterpieces displayed on streets, in parks, and at shopping centres.
This massive open-air exhibition distributes the works not only in the town centre but across the borough’s furthest reaches. Regional stops include: Coulsdon, New Addington, Purley, Thornton Heath, Upper Norwood. Main locations: Queen’s Gardens, Croydon Minster, Whitgift Center, Park Hill Park. Running until 5 July 2026, the exhibition features some of art history’s most popular works. Three pieces in particular will look especially striking on Croydon’s streets:
- George Stubbs – Whistlejacket: The monumental portrait of a rearing horse. At full scale, its impact on the street will be doubled.
- Vincent van Gogh – Sunflowers: Seeing art history’s most famous yellows against Croydon’s grey buildings will create a fascinating contrast.
- Georges Seurat – Bathers at Asnières: One of the masterpieces of pointillism, this work could offer a peaceful pause near the bustling Whitgift Shopping Centre.
Throughout the exhibition, there are opportunities not just to look, but to become an artist yourself:
- “Croydon Masterpiece” Workshops: Renowned visual artist Rachel Gadsden will collaborate with local people to create a collective artwork. Comprising four large-scale pieces, the series will reflect Croydon’s story and spirit and will be unveiled in May.
- Family activity sheets for children will be available from libraries starting tomorrow. Maps showing the exact locations of all the works can be downloaded from the Culture Croydon website.
A Small Note: Where Art Meets Nature
Croydon is known not only for its famous Picasso exhibition in 1995 or its connection with the National Gallery, but also for its recent rewilding efforts. Keep your ears open during your art tour: according to the latest reports, plans are underway to reintroduce beavers to the area!
A perfect excuse to combine art, walking, and a bit of urban nature spotting this spring and summer.
