Battersea Contemporary Art Fair

Orginally named Battersea town hall then to Battersea arts Centre now contemporary art Fair i used to do volentry work there in the canteen when i was younger you can see live bands and proforming arts plus drama plays they used to run classes for children such as tap dancing , ballet and potery and have fates outside to raise money for certain charitys inside the place itself is a small bookstore with plenty of good books to buy and postcards, there are many works of art on show and to buy all in all it is a fun time looking around so if you like any kind of art this is a great place to visit.

Ever fancied owning a piece of original art? Well, here’s your chance, by popping along (May 16-18) to the annual Battersea Contemporary Art Fair. Now in its sixteenth year, this is the largest artists’ fair in the UK, and features over 150 artists from the UK and overseas, selling paintings, photographs, sculptures and prints directly to the public (ie with no commission - saving up to 40%).

I went there a few years ago with my partner’s cousin, who was exhibiting her photography there. The venue is part of the Old Town Hall complex, and is about ten minutes’ walk from Clapham Junction station. It is a little pricey to get in, but the range and quantity of art on display is impressive. Not every stall will take your fancy though - some of it is very mainstream, others very eclectic, so it depends on your taste. As well as straightforward art, there are artists who specialise in painting things like your pet’s portrait, if you are so moved. But there’s bound to be something that takes your fancy.

Unfortunately for me, I seem to be born with expensive tastes: rather than the stuff around £40, I seem drawn like a bee to a honey pot to the stuff in the £4,000 bracket. I don’t know if this means I have good taste, or just an eye for the commercially popular. My other half and I eventually bought a photographic print for around £90.

Refreshments are available, and there’s a jazz band playing during the Friday evening reception.