Vauxhall Art Car boot fair ‘reboots’ for 2017

Iconic event announces date, new venue, new artists and new theme

London, 23rd March 2017: The annual #vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair returns this summer with a brand new theme and location in #vauxhall, #london, the birthplace of #vauxhall Motors. Taking place on Sunday 9th July, the one-day festival promises another eclectic line-up of over one hundred artists who will be selling exclusive pieces from the boots of both new and vintage #vauxhall cars.

One of the biggest and most fun-packed events of the summer arts calendar, the #vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair will build on the success of last year’s event at East London’s Truman Brewery, by taking place in the streets of Vauxhall’s vibrant new gallery district in collaboration with Damien Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery and U+I Plc. The main fair will take place inside The Workshop, a fabulous new events space on Whitgift Street, the former workshops of The #london Fire Brigade. 

This one-day art fair and festival will put the public directly in front of a stellar line-up of sought-after artists including Sir Peter Blake, Marcus Harvey, Gavin Turk, Pam Hogg, Bob & Roberta Smith, Polly Morgan, and Rachel Howard, who will all pitch up in person. The 2017 theme is ‘The Original’, so expect rare opportunities to snap up lots of genuine and exclusive bargains. The exuberant art fair promises to be a pinnacle event on a Sunday for art aficionados – all a stone’s throw from the former #vauxhall Ironworks Company where the original tiller-steered cars were made in 1903.

A special commission designed by the renowned artist #kristjanawilliams will see a limited edition #vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer wrapped with her unique and vibrant cartographic designs. With marching street bands and a special art car convoy, this family-friendly event celebrating art and frivolity will be a highlight in the heart of #vauxhall this summer.

Top attractions include:

Original and limited edition artworks created especially for the event plus the chance to barter directly with the artists

The Black Cow vodka bar 

Live music and performances

Marching bands and promenade performances in the surrounding streets

A family-friendly Spirograph workshop with the House of Fairytales

A boutique selection of vintage and antiques from Bath VA

An artists’ picnic in the adjacent Old Paradise Gardens

Major art prizes on the day for the best Original Outfit of The Day and a pair of Tracey Neuls’ original shoes for the best Lambeth Walk performance

A musical vintage chairs game to raise funds for ACBF charity Just for Kids Law, with celebrity DJ’s

Plus much more to be announced in May

“The #vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair is a staple event in the calendar for us at #vauxhall Motors,” says Denis Chick, Director of Communications. “We’re pleased to be on board for another year, this time going back to our roots in #vauxhall, South #london for an even bigger production. This event is for everyone, regardless of your art expertise and we’ll be dusting off some of our own ‘Originals’ from Vauxhall’s #heritage collection.” 

Karen Ashton, Founder of the Art Car Boot Fair says, “As well as bringing an original line-up to our new location in #vauxhall, we’ll also be drawing on all the talents our exciting new locale has to offer.”

“We’re right at the centre of Vauxhall’s burgeoning creative quarter with a fantastic array of galleries, pop-ups, and established gems like the #vauxhall City Farm, MI6, Beaconsfield Gallery and the Royal #vauxhall Tavern – so expect guys and spies, plus the odd Llama and lots of cool art in the mix this year! We’re also hoping for a guest appearance and contribution from the owner of the Newport Street Gallery. A special thanks to our new hosts U+I and The Workshop.”

The #vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair takes place on Sunday 9th July from Whitgift Street, #london SE11 between 12-6pm. Entry is priced at £5. 

To close the summer, the #vauxhall Art Car Boot Fair annual festival will also hold a second event in Folkestone, Kent on Saturday, 2nd September. More details will be released in the coming weeks. 

Visit artcarbootfair.com for more information and check ACBF and #vauxhall on social media for the latest news.