art in the public realm
Queen's Gardens, Park Lane, Croydon, CR0 1YJ
Join Clayground Collective in Queen’s Gardens for a hands-on clay experience as part of Open House weekend. Shape your own version of Croydon - past, present or imagined - using raw clay. Recreate iconic landmarks like No.1 Croydon ("The 50p Building"), Croydon Clocktower, Fairfield Halls or even the Whitgift Almshouses, or invent a future skyline from your imagination.
East Croydon, West Croydon
119, 403, 109, 166, 312, 405, 407, 412, 433, 466, 468, 50, 60, 75
Limited seating is available for those less able to stand
This is a hands-on workshop using clay. Cleaning stations will be available.
11:00–16:00
11:00–16:00
Join Clayground Collective in Queen’s Gardens for a hands-on clay experience as part of Open House weekend. Shape your own version of Croydon - past, present or imagined - using raw clay. Recreate iconic landmarks like No.1 Croydon ("The 50p Building"), Croydon Clocktower, Fairfield Halls or even the Whitgift Almshouses, or invent a future skyline from your imagination. All ages welcome - no experience needed. Just bring your curiosity! The clay creations will form a collaborative installation celebrating the creativity of Croydon’s communities. Drop in, get your hands dirty, and help build your city over two days.
Clayground Collective is a leading socially engaged arts organisation dedicated to reconnecting people with the joy of making. They believe in the quiet power of making - in clay’s ability to connect us with ourselves, each other and the world around us. Since 2007, Clayground Collective has worked across the UK and internationally to bring clay out of the studio and into public spaces - from libraries and galleries to canal boats and town squares - inviting communities of all ages to get creative and rediscover the joy of working with their hands.
Their projects combine playfulness with purpose as joyful assemblies, using clay’s universal appeal to engage diverse audiences and spark dialogue about the value of craft in contemporary life. Over 200,000 people have taken part in Clayground Collective’s workshops, public artworks and large-scale installations, which often leave lasting memories and skills.
As authors of Clay in Common (Triarchy Press), the first major book on participatory clay practice, Clayground are recognised as leaders in their field, with awards including the Craft Skills Award for “imaginative and exemplary approaches to passing on clay skills.”
