Hogsmill community gatherings are connected to FRAUD’s upcoming exhibition A Simultaneous Agreement and the community application to the Environment Agency to make part of the Hogsmill safe for swimming.
Rooted in a concern for the Hogsmill river that borders the gallery, the project takes Defra’s (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) application for the designation of bathing waters as a tool to mobilise local communities around the river’s health. These gatherings will nurture and platform the visibility of existing initiatives, and contribute to the growing momentum demanding change at policy level.
During the exhibition, the gallery will become a consultation space in which activities that promote river health, biodiversity, community engagement and awareness will unfold.
We invite you to take part in our monthly Hogsmill community gatherings at the gallery which will inform the curation of the public programme. All voices are welcome from those who work closely with the river to those who are curious about the project.
Hogsmill Community Gatherings: Tuesday 28 April 5-7pm with Standing for the River choreographer Neus Gil Cortés
These friendly local community gatherings about the Hogsmill, include presentations and informal discussion facilitated by FRAUD, with refreshments provided.
Please confirm your attendance by email to Madeleine Collie m.collie@kingston.ac.uk
Public Programme:
A public programme will take place between the start of the bathing season, and the last day of the exhibition. A major focus will be a series of community led events during the consultation week 16-20 June.
If you have ideas to share for an event to take place at the Stanley Picker Gallery or in relation to the Hogsmill River please add your ideas and submit them via this form.
Key Dates:
Kingston Arist Open Studios (KAOS) Open Waters Exhibition, Project Studio, 9-16 May
Stanley Picker Gallery Late Open Waters 15 May 6-8pm
Standing for the River performance 12 June 5-7pm (approx)
Bathing Request Consultation Period 16 – 20 June 11-5pm
Standing for the River:
A major event in our public programme is a performance on the riverbank. ‘Standing for the River’ will involve a community cast who will perform a choreography, devised by Neus Gil Cortés, as a slow procession along the river with simple group movements. This event will be part of the evidence required for the public bathing request.
If you are interested in taking part, we require absolutely no experience, flexibility or grace, you can register your interest via this form. If you have mobility issues please contact us so that we can take your needs into account to allow for your participation.
Participation in the event will involve attendance at a rehearsal in the evenings on the 8 or 9 June and attendance at the performance on Friday 12 June 2026 at dusk between 5-7pm.