A stunning art trail of world-famous paintings has landed in Croydon. The National Gallery has scattered some of its most well-known masterpieces around the town, in parks, gardens, and town squares, waiting to be admired by passers-by. It’s all part of a new free public outdoor art exhibition that’s bringing works of art to the streets of Croydon, The National Gallery: Art On Your Doorstep.
The special showcase is the result of a collaboration between The National Gallery and Culture Croydon, and will be visible around Croydon until July 5. That’s plenty of time to find every single painting on the trail!
Art On Your Doorstep
In total, 30 of The National Gallery’s most prized pieces of art have been scattered around the area. These include paintings by Georges Seurat, Vincent Van Gogh, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and more. And you can find them everywhere from The Queen’s Gardens to Park Hill, New Addington, Thornton Heath, and beyond.
But there’s a catch. Obviously, The National Gallery can’t exactly just hang a painting like Van Gogh’s Sunflowers in the park… Instead, these are life-sized, painstakingly realised, recreations of the works themselves. Visitors can get right up close to the pieces and admire every detail and brushstroke. All for free!
Executive Mayor, Jason Perry said:
“We are delighted to welcome Art on Your Doorstep to Croydon as the first London location for this exciting National Gallery programme. Bringing world‐class art into our parks, streets and public spaces reflects our commitment to accessible cultural experiences for all our communities. Alongside hands‐on workshops and creative events this February, as well as the ongoing programme, these activities celebrate the imagination, talent and diversity that make Croydon unique, whilst supporting our shared ambition for a vibrant and welcoming town centre.”
After Croydon, Art On Your Doorstep will go on display at other locations across the UK. The exhibition previously popped up in Stoke on Trent, before arriving in London. In total, 12 art trails will pop up around the country all the way through to the winter of 2027.
Find a map of the Art On Your Doorstep trail, and check out other related events, here.
The National Gallery: Art On Your Doorstep is on display around Croydon from February 3 – July 5.