Wandsworth Art Markets: 1 & 2 April 2023

Local artists and makers host a weekend of markets, crafty workshops and art trails on Sat 1 & Sun 2 April 2023.

Over one special weekend, Wandsworth Art Markets will be popping up in New Union Square (Nine Elms), St Mary’s Churchyard (Putney) and All Saints Church (Tooting), from 1pm – 5pm over the first weekend of the Easter school holidays.

Alongside the stalls, there will be free arts and crafts workshops, a series of art trails bringing local artists and local businesses together, and thousands of new art maps to help residents discover the art in the neighbourhoods.

The result will be a festival of art and culture for those that live, work and study in Wandsworth and, for artists and makers, an opportunity to show and sell their work, connect with fellow creatives, and develop their practice, delivered in partnership with Citizen’s Art London,

The Wandsworth Art Markets project grew out of the Council’s commitment to champion Wandsworth’s artists, and safely showcase their work in the wake of Covid-19. 

Wandsworth Art (wandsworthart.com) was launched in 2020 to nurture and support artists, bolster creative networks and introduce local art lovers to their creative neighbours, and the amazing cultural organisations that call Wandsworth home.

While throughout 2021-22, Framed turned the borough’s streets into vibrant outdoor art galleries, with works by local artists – selected from Wandsworth Art – displayed on lamppost banners and in shop windows.

Wandsworth Art Markets is a natural evolution of these initiatives, opening up new spaces and platforms for local artists to display and sell their artworks.  

Councillor Kemi Akinola, Wandsworth Council’s Deputy Leader and cabinet member for the voluntary sector, business engagement and culture said: 

“Wandsworth Council has worked to bring art to our screens, our high streets and, each summer, the amazing Wandsworth Arts Fringe in a variety of places across the borough. We are committed to providing local artists with new accessible platforms to share their talents with their neighbours.

I am delighted to be able to offer Wandsworth’s artists this opportunity to showcase and sell their work, as we invest in creative careers, and in the future of our borough as a thriving cultural home for artists and residents.” 

Citizens Art London CIC is an arts social enterprise launched in August 2020, delivering art projects and programmes of community art events across London, led by founder Edward Quigley. 

Citizens Art London supports the growth of artists and creatives and furthers the education of and engagement with the arts by the public, delivering programmes of regular outdoor art events that allow locally based artists to show and sell their work, and providing free participatory arts activities for local residents and visitors.  

Edward Quigley, founder and Director of Citizens Art London CIC said: 

“I am incredibly proud and excited to be working with Wandsworth Council and Wandsworth artists and makers to bring this project to life. As a self-taught artist and photographer myself, I know how valuable it is to have accessible opportunities to exhibit and sell work, and beyond that – meet with fellow artists and enjoy talking to the public about my passion.

I hope that the Wandsworth artists and makers we will work with over the coming weeks see great value in the opportunities we’re creating for them and that the public take the opportunity to enjoy the art and activities we’re bringing to Putney, Tooting and Nine Elms.”