Meet Carshalton & Wallington Art Group at Carshalton EcoFair 2026

There is something rather nice about discovering what is happening creatively right on your doorstep.

This August Bank Holiday, Carshalton & Wallington Art Group will be joining more than 120 stalls at Carshalton EcoFair 2026, and we would love you to come and say hello.

The EcoFair takes place in Carshalton Park on Monday 31 August, from 10.30am to 8pm, bringing together local organisations, artists, makers, environmental groups, food, family activities and live entertainment.

We will be there for a slightly different reason.

We want to meet people.

Looking for a local art group?

Carshalton & Wallington Art Group has been part of the local creative community for many years.

We meet regularly on Thursday evenings in Wallington, but the group is about considerably more than meeting once a week to paint.

Throughout the year we organise practical art evenings, demonstrations by visiting professional artists, exhibitions, outdoor painting sessions, talks, social activities and other opportunities for members to get involved.

Some members work in watercolour. Others prefer oils, acrylics, pastels, drawing or mixed media. Everyone approaches their artwork differently, which is part of what makes an art group interesting.

You do not have to paint like everybody else.

In fact, we would rather you did not.

More than somewhere to paint

One thing we would particularly like to talk about at this year’s EcoFair is what it means to be part of a local art community.

Groups like ours do not just happen by themselves.

Exhibitions need organising. Demonstrators need booking. Pictures need hanging. Tea needs making. Websites and social media need updating. Events need promoting. And occasionally somebody has to work out why a display board will not stand up properly five minutes before an exhibition opens.

It is all part of it.

So we are particularly interested in meeting artists who would enjoy not only joining the group, but perhaps becoming more involved over time.

You might have experience with exhibitions, social media, photography, organising events or welcoming visitors. Or perhaps you simply have a bit of enthusiasm and would like to help.

You do not need committee experience.

You certainly do not need to arrive with a job title in mind.

Come and meet us first.

What happens at our Thursday evenings?

Our programme changes throughout the year.

One week might involve members bringing their own work and painting together. Another could feature a professional artist demonstrating their techniques and answering questions.

At other times we organise practical projects, talks, exhibitions or opportunities to paint outside.

It means Thursday evenings do not always look the same.

And there is another important point.

We are an art group rather than a formal art school.

Our members are people who already have an interest in making art and want somewhere to continue developing their work alongside other artists.

If you have been painting or drawing at home and have reached the point where you would enjoy meeting other local artists, you may find the group suits you very well.

Come and meet us at Carshalton EcoFair

The EcoFair seems an especially appropriate place for us to meet potential new members.

Art and the natural world have always been closely connected. Landscapes, trees, wildlife, changing seasons and local places have inspired artists for centuries.

But there is another connection too.

Local organisations survive when local people participate in them.

The EcoFair is a celebration of exactly that kind of community activity, bringing thousands of people together in Carshalton Park for one day.

So while you are exploring the more than 120 stalls, listening to the live music or stopping for something to eat, look out for Carshalton & Wallington Art Group and come over for a chat.

Stop for five minutes.

Have a look at some of our members’ work.

Ask us what we get up to.

And tell us about your own art.

You do not need to make any decisions there and then.

Sometimes the best way to find out whether an art group is right for you is simply to meet the people involved.

Your first visit can be free

If you like what you hear at the EcoFair, we can explain how to arrange a visit to one of our Thursday evenings in Wallington.

Your first visit is free, giving you an opportunity to meet members and see what the group is actually like before deciding whether you would like to join.

Bring along some examples of the artwork you have been making and have a chat with us.

We would much rather you find a group that genuinely suits you than simply collect another membership form.

Carshalton EcoFair 2026

• Date: Bank Holiday Monday, 31 August 2026
• Time: 10.30am–8pm
• Location: Carshalton Park, Ruskin Road, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3DD
• Organised by: EcoLocal

The fair includes more than 120 stalls, three solar-powered music stages, local crafts and artists, food and drink, environmental organisations and children’s activities. EcoLocal’s EcoFair page has the current visitor, travel and admission information.

And somewhere amongst all of that, you will find us.

Look for the Carshalton & Wallington Art Group stall and come over for a chat.

Whether you are interested in joining, getting involved, exhibiting your work in the future, or simply want to know what a local art group actually does, we will be pleased to meet you.

Find out more about the group

Explore our current programme, exhibitions and membership information on the Carshalton & Wallington Art Group website.

Thinking about joining? Come and meet us at the EcoFair first. It could be the beginning of your next chapter as a local artist.