Urban Art Brixton began in 2002 when local artist Timothy Sutton, a resident of Josephine Avenue, recognised the potential of his tree-lined street as a natural open-air gallery. What started as a modest community initiative quickly blossomed into one of London’s most distinctive and accessible art events. Designed to give artists affordable, credible space to exhibit their work, it now takes place every July, transforming the railings of Josephine Avenue into a vibrant outdoor art fair.
In the early years, the event was small but grew steadily in ambition and popularity. By 2012, its tenth year, Urban Art was attracting over 160 artists displaying thousands of pieces of original work. The variety expanded to include painting, printmaking, photography, and mixed media, drawing visitors from across London and beyond. A dedicated street art zone added live graffiti and murals into the mix, giving it a contemporary, urban edge. By 2014, it was widely recognised as London’s largest open-air art fair, and even earned a mention in the Evening Standard’s list of top reasons to love South London.
Urban Art has always been as much about community as it is about creativity. From the beginning, the event has raised funds for local causes, with artists donating a percentage of their sales to charities like Holy Trinity School, Jubilee Primary, Southside Rehabilitation, and The Anchor Group. The event’s fundraising total has grown steadily, and last year raised over £8,000 for local good causes.
Like many grassroots arts events, Urban Art has faced challenges, both with Covid and financial pressures. In 2020, the fair was threatened by sharply increased council fees, putting its future in doubt. But strong community support helped it weather the storm and return with renewed determination.
By 2023, the event marked its 20th anniversary with around 100 artists and thousands of visitors over the course of a sunny weekend. In 2024, 132 artists took part, and a record sum was raised for charity. Now in its 21st year (two missed because of Covid), Urban Art continues to thrive, offering a unique opportunity to meet the artists, buy original work directly, and enjoy Brixton’s creative spirit in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
