Whitgift Centre, Croydon
"It reminds me of the pavement in the shopping centre."
What do young people need more of and what do they want less of?
What do we care about in Croydon? What’s overlooked?
Over Feb-March 2025, Wiggle Wonderland pavilion was installed in Whitgift shopping centre and displayed artwork created in schools and youth groups across Croydon. Artwork was created by young people from Haling Park Primary, Thomas More Catholic School, Coulsdon College, Children In Care Council and participants from a workshop in Urban Room as part of Open House Festival 2024.
Workshops were led by artists Rebecca Sainsot-Reynolds and Skye Baker, and focused on time travelling through Croydon’s past, considering how Croydon serves young people now and thinking about their hopes and dreams for Croydon’s future. The workshops explored these themes through creative writing, printmaking, collage, modelling and more.
Accompanying the exhibition was an exciting, free workshop programme.
1/6: Inflato-city
with Get It Done
How can we activate our cities to be more playful? Particpants joined Get It Done for a hands-on inflatable arts workshop.
2/6: A Sign for Your Croydon with Jhinuk Sarkar
Using traditional sign painting techniques, Jhinuk led a workshop making sign that are missing from Croydon.
3/6: Newsflash!
with Francesca Telling
Through printmaking, collage and conversations, participants created a collaborative newspaper for Croydon.
4/6: Mile of String
with Leap Then Look
A temporary art installation using a mile of string!
5/6: Spare Thoughts
with RESOLVE
Why make new when you can redistribute? Participants came along to take free materials, meet other young creatives, and build together.
6/6: Softer Centres
with Bea and Jill
Participants joined neurodivergent Croydon creatives Bea and Jill for a sensory workshop and create a manifesto for a softer future.
