Croydon is poised to make cultural history by becoming the very first location in London to host a prestigious outdoor art trail organised by The National Gallery. This groundbreaking initiative, titled 'Art On Your Doorstep', will transform the borough into an open-air gallery from February 3rd until July 5th, 2026.
A Borough-Wide Gallery Experience
The ambitious programme will bring thirty life-sized, high-quality reproductions of world-renowned paintings to the streets and green spaces of Croydon. These iconic artworks will be strategically placed across twelve distinct local locations, creating an engaging trail that meanders from the bustling town centre to tranquil, leafy residential parks.
Curating the Croydon Collection
Local community groups have played a pivotal role in hand-selecting the 'Croydon collection', ensuring it resonates with residents. The trail will feature legendary artists including Michelangelo, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and J.M.W. Turner. Art enthusiasts can anticipate encountering the breathtaking detail of Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers and George Stubbs's majestic Whistlejacket right on their own doorsteps.
The majority of these installations will be positioned outdoors in prominent public areas such as The Queen's Gardens, Croydon Minster, and Park Hill Park, offering completely free access for all to enjoy. The exhibition's reach extends across the wider borough, with additional displays confirmed for Coulsdon, New Addington, Purley, Thornton Heath, and Upper Norwood.
Interactive Community Engagement
To complement the static displays, a vibrant programme of interactive events has been planned. During the February half-term, families are invited to participate in a series of free drop-in workshops led by the acclaimed artist Rachel Gadsden. Participants will use materials ranging from charcoal to oil pastels to create their own sketches, which will collectively form a giant 'Croydon Masterpiece'. This collaborative artwork, celebrating local people and stories, will go on public display in May.
For adult visitors seeking a more relaxed creative experience, a 'Sip & Draw' evening is scheduled for February 16th at Braithwaite Hall. For a ticket price of £15, attendees can enjoy a drink and nibbles while exploring their artistic talents under gentle, expert guidance.
Supporting Exhibitions and Local Pride
The cultural celebrations continue on March 4th, when the Museum of Croydon unveils a new supporting exhibition. This display will feature more than thirty rarely seen gems from its own extensive collection of over 2,000 works. These locally significant pieces have been carefully curated to mirror and complement the themes presented in The National Gallery trail, creating a fascinating dialogue between 19th-century classics and modern works.
Leadership and Educational Involvement
Executive Mayor Jason Perry expressed his delight at welcoming world-class art into the borough's everyday spaces, stating it reflects a firm commitment to making culture accessible for every resident. Hannah Widgington, a manager at The National Gallery, added that encountering these beloved paintings in daily life offers a rare and profoundly inspiring opportunity for the local community.
Local educational institutions are also deeply involved. Coulsdon Sixth Form College is proudly preparing to host a reproduction of a William Turner masterpiece outside its building. Neal Vaughan, Deputy Head of Learning, Creative and Digital at the college, commented: "Coulsdon Sixth Form College are so proud to be a part of this amazing opportunity. We value the positive connections art can foster within our community, and our students have benefited immensely from the preparatory workshops run by Croydon Council. William Turner is a perfect fit for our college, and his work will take pride of place outside our building for all to enjoy."
Planning Your Visit
One special painting will be housed inside the Whitgift Shopping Centre, accessible only during normal retail opening hours. To ensure visitors can explore the entire trail without missing a single masterpiece, a detailed trail map will be available to download from the Culture Croydon website or to collect in person from local libraries across the borough.
