River Art Walk

Debuting this spring, this new weekend art trail is led by Make Space Studios, a quirky artist studio collective tucked away in a hidden corner of Lambeth facing the railway tracks of Waterloo Station.

This year, in addition to their annual spring Open Studio Day, Make Space Studios is organising the River Art Walk, a free initiative that invites curious art lovers to explore the lesser-known creative spaces, studios and galleries across the wider area.

Almost all events on the day of the River Art Walk are free to attend, and many are also happening on a ‘drop-in’ basis, so simply pitch up in South Bank on Saturday 21 March and start exploring!

Topolski Studio Open Studio and Tour

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the historic studio of the 20th-century British-Polish artist Feliks Topolski. A fascinating character with an incredible life story, the prolific painter and sketcher worked for most of his life from this studio in one of the arches next to the Southbank Centre. The studio will be open from 2pm–4pm, with a guided tour at 2pm. Find out more here.

Drop-in plant drawing workshop at Garden Museum

Painter Melissa Scott-Miller hosts a free plant drawing session at the Garden Museum, where there is also the opportunity to see her new free exhibition, London Parks & Gardens. Stop by any time from 11am to 4pm to practice drawing plants around the museum and gardens. All ages and abilities welcome. Bring your own sketchbooks and pencils if you have them (no easels or wet materials). Find out more here.

2126: A Ceramic Odyssey at County Hall Pottery 

Visit County Hall Pottery, a leading contemporary ceramic arts gallery tucked away inside the grand County Hall building, and check out their latest group exhibition 2126: A Ceramic Odyssey. Open from 11am to 6pm. Find out more here.

Illuminated River free walking tour

Led by a professional City of London tour guide, this unique evening walking tour explores the art, architecture and stories behind Illuminated River. Created by artist Leo Villareal, Illuminated River is the world’s longest public art commission, lighting up nine of central London’s most iconic bridges. The free 90-minute walking tour starts at the entrance hall to Blackfriars station on the North Bank of the river at 6.30pm, and ends at St Thomas’s on the southside of Westminster Bridge. Find out more and reserve a place here.

Make Space Studios Open Studio

Make Space Studios is open to the public on Friday 20 March 6pm–9pm and Saturday 21 March 12pm–5pm. There are dozens of open studios to explore inside the complex. The studios are located in Waterloo at the top of the staircase at the corner of Hercules Road and Kennington Road (opposite Lambeth North Station, next to Park Plaza Waterloo hotel), approximately a 10-minute walk from Waterloo Station. Entrance is free.