Petersham Area Guide

After a successful pilot in 2023, Richmond Arts and Ideas Festival is returning for a full launch this June to showcase arts, culture and community. The theme for this year’s festival is Cultural Reforesting, which aims to promote positive social change and conversation by asking “how can we renew our relationship with nature?”. For two weeks, venues and public spaces across Richmond will host over 50 events including music, dance, theatre, art installations and exhibitions, as artists endeavour to answer this important question.

Join us for a Peer Feedback/Crit Session, offering artists the opportunity to share their work with other artists for feedback. We are opening the doors of our workshop space for you to use for this session. You and your fellow artists are invited to lead the session together. The sessions are intended to be encouraging and constructive to help you with your creative practice. These peer sessions are open to artists based in the Borough of Richmond. Please answer the questionnaire when booking or email Julia (julia.defabo@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk) if you would like to bring an artwork or a digital image of your artwork for the group to discuss. Not every artist will be able to present their artwork in each session. This session lasts 2 hours.

Join a member of the gardens team to learn about the newly created meadows at Marble Hill. Find out how these meadow were created, how they're being maintained and why they are so important to biodiversity.

20th March - Spring Landscapes (paint-along) 29th May - Animals 26th June - Seascapes (paint-along) 31st July - Portraits 28th August - Plants (paint-along) 25th September - Still life 23rd October - Autumn landscapes (paint-along) Join us for a series of special and relaxed evenings painting and drinking prosecco in the magical setting of Turner’s House and its garden! Be creative and share the fun with other people or your friends while working on your own acrylic painting! Every session will dive into a different theme and subject. Portraiture, landscapes, still-life paintings, and more! You will be able to choose from a range of images to spark your creativity while being guided by a knowledgeable and patient artist who will follow you every step of the way. Do you prefer step-by-step guidance? Choose the paint-along sessions every other month. Non-alcoholic drinks and vegan options available.

To kick start the festival we are inviting you to an exclusive festival launch. We are bringing event organisers, artists and press together to celebrate the start of Richmond Arts and Ideas festival. A drinks reception will be followed by performances, talks, poetry readings from the festival. All giving a taster of whats to come! This is our opportunity to thank you in person for all the work you have put into the festival and celebrate together over a glass of something nice. Drinks and refreshments will be provided. RSVP

Join a member of the gardens team to learn about the recently restored 18th Century gardens at Marble Hill. Learn about the restoration, how the gardens are maintained and what we're doing to promote biodiversity.  Meet outside the house, on the Richmond Road side. No dogs allowed. Free Event, no need to book!