The first edition featured striking depictions of Croydon’s buildings and spaces by artists including Kate Marsden, Gavin Kinch, Tina Crawford, Lis Watkins, and Bev Jones. In 2023, as Croydon celebrated being London Borough of Culture, the project highlighted the borough’s diverse creative talent with works by Divya Sharma, Matt Bannister, Skye Baker, Miguel Sopena, and Melanie Russell.

Last year, Creative Croydon opened up to young budding creatives with a competition for artists aged 16–25 on the theme “Happiness is”. Five winners – Autumn Ng Fong Tiao, Iulia Taropa, Beatrix Finch, Erika Gomez, and Thomas Oldfield – were commissioned to bring colour and positivity to Croydon’s streets, their work seen by thousands of residents and visitors.

Now, in 2025, the project is back with its most open brief yet. Artists who live, work, or study in Croydon are invited to submit three pieces of artwork of their choice – whether existing pieces or newly created for the occasion. This year there is no theme, just the chance to let creativity shine and see your work displayed on banners throughout Croydon town centre.

A panel of judges, including former Creative Croydon artists, will select three winners. Each chosen artist will receive a £750 commission and see their artworks exhibited on lamppost banners across Croydon from October, making this a unique opportunity to display their creativity on a large and very public scale.

Submissions open on Wednesday 3rd September and close at 5pm on Friday 19th September 2025. To enter, artists must provide three portrait-format designs. Full details can be found at www.31percentwool.com.