A brand-new art exhibition has arrived at Southside Shopping Centre to celebrate the borough’s natural world.
Our Beautiful Neighbourhood is free to attend and will be open to visitors until 23 March.
The project, commissioned by Wandsworth Council in partnership with the Royal College of Art, forms part of the Welcome to Wandsworth schools programme for London Borough of Culture 2025.
The exhibition showcases the creativity of more than 1,300 young people aged 9-13, from 50 local schools. Through imaginative workshops, led by artists Vanessa Rolf and Hannah Coulson, pupils explored the diverse variety of plants, animals and insects that can be found in Wandsworth.
As well as focusing on biodiversity in Wandsworth, the display also looks at how connecting with nature can help to support mental wellbeing.
Visitors are also invited to take part in their own collage workshops taking place at Southside on 14 and 15 March, from 11am to 1pm, and again from 2pm to 4pm. These hands-on sessions will give you the chance to create your own nature-inspired artwork as part of the borough-wide celebrations.
Our Beautiful Neighbourhood is one of five public exhibitions taking place in Wandsworth, including Battersea Power Station, Putney Exchange, Tooting Market, and Wandsworth Town Hall.
Shannon Reed, Centre Director at Southside, said: “
We’re incredibly proud to welcome Our Beautiful Neighbourhood to Southside. This exhibition is a wonderful celebration of the creativity and imagination of young people across Wandsworth, and it’s fantastic to see their work showcased in the heart of the community.
“As a shopping centre, we’re committed to supporting local artists and providing opportunities to display their work in a space where thousands of people can experience and enjoy it. Seeing these vibrant, nature-inspired artworks displayed here not only celebrates the talent of the next generation, but also reinforces the importance of community, connection and creativity.”
