Our Beautiful Neighbourhood
Delivered in partnership with the Royal College of Art, this visual art project for pupils in primary and secondary schools across Wandsworth shines a light on how connecting with nature can support and improve our mental health and wellbeing.
Focusing on the themes of biodiversity and place, this is our most ambitious schools art project to date. Over 1300 students from 52 classes in primary, secondary and SEND schools took part in workshops from October 2025 to January 2026, either facilitated by an artist or with teacher-led sessions, supported by CPD and extensive resources.
Art created in these workshops has come together for a public exhibitions and an art trail across different public venues in Wandsworth during March 2026. Participating venues include: Battersea Power Station, Putney Exchange, Southside Shopping Centre, Tooting Market and Wandsworth Town Hall.
Project Credits
Lead artists: Vanessa Rolf and Hannah Coulson
Workshop leaders: Isabel Fletcher, Xavier Leopold, Ruth Martin and Olivia Twist
Artwork photography: Michele Panzeri
Sound: Ed Coulson
Our Beautiful Neighbourhood Sound Collage
Listen to pupils, teachers and artists speak about how Our Beautiful Neighbourhood was brought to life. Follow local children as they explore green spaces in their neighbourhood, encounter Wandsworth's wonderful wildlife and create artworks that celebrate their discoveries.
Our Beautiful Neighbourhood Sound Collage was recorded and produced by Ed Coulson. With special thanks to Olivia Twist, Isabel Fletcher, Ella Rothero, and to the children and teachers of Ronald Ross Primary School, Honeywell Junior School and Belleville Wix Academy
The story so far...
Sellincourt Primary School
Sellincourt Primary School worked with artist Isabel Fletcher to engage with local diversity in their playground. The pupils took inspiration from the outside world, coming back inside to sketch some exciting animals and plants, and finally making some brilliant collages!
Hotham Primary School
Pupils in year 5 at Hotham Primary School worked with artist Ruth Martin, spending time outside looking at the natural world and collecting items to bring into the classroom for inspiration. The children learnt about local biodiversity in Wandsworth, sketched different flora and fauna and transformed what they found into colourful collages.
Smallwood Primary School
Smallwood Primary School were led by artists Isabel Fletcher and Ruth Martin for their workshop. Pupils in year 5 learnt about different habitats in Wandsworth before heading out into the sunshine to find and sketch nature specimens in the school field and allotment. Then they returned to the classroom to make colourful collages based on what they found.
