Monet for nothing: the famous artworks cheering up UK high streets
Words by Robin Eveleigh
May 18, 2026
Arts
Culture
Lifestyle
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Reproductions of works by Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh are being hung in town centres to bring art closer to communities
Masterpieces from the National Gallery are being displayed in the London suburb of Croydon as part of a travelling project designed to bring art closer to local communities.
High-quality reproductions of works by Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, JMW Turner and Vincent van Gogh are on show in prominent town centre locations, including Croydon Minster and Queen’s Gardens.
The Croydon displays form part of Art on Your Doorstep, a three-year initiative that aims to share paintings from the national collection with audiences beyond the gallery’s London base in Trafalgar Square. The programme runs until 5 July, and also features a series of free exhibitions in Coulsdon, New Addington, Purley, Thornton Heath and Upper Norwood.
Further stops are planned for 2026, including Torquay, Derry, Birstall, near Bradford, and the Isle of Wight, extending the reach of the scheme across the UK.
In Essex, the Creative Mile Brentford Art Trail will collaborate with residents to identify unexpected settings for the artworks, from high streets and community venues to public parks. Locals will help decide which pieces are shown, embedding the project within each area it visits.
