A fantastic array of locally held events is taking place over the two-week festival (May 8 – 24) and residents are invited to enjoy and support the arts on their doorsteps.

The full programme of events is now available at local libraries and can be viewed online at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/artsfestival

The festival builds to a spectacular finale, The Shimmy, where an array of surprise outdoor arts will take place by the river between Putney Bridge and Wandsworth Park. The event runs from 2pm to 6pm, Sunday 24 May.

Photography is very strongly represented this year, in talks, exhibitions and through the photoWANDSWORTH09 competition. Artist, photographer and curator Richard Wentworth will present his work and talk about his fascination with the coincidences of urban life at ‘In Conversation with Richard Wentworth’.

‘Light Lines’  (above) by Joe Madeira is an exhibition not to be missed. Madeira creates alluring photographs by drawing with light on long camera exposures, resulting in images of ephemeral sculptures in urban environments.

The visual extravaganza continues with ‘Trash to Bling’. Local artists have collaborated to produce a stunning TrashFash catwalk extravaganza of clothes and accessories made from recycled materials. Artist and project leader Ofelia Diaz said:

“We believe that rubbish is the art material of the 21st century and that it’s a low cost resource for everyone.”

For lovers of classical music St Luke’s Music Society have invited musicians from the acclaimed Yehundi Menuhin School to play Mozart, Bartok and Noam Sheriff in the wonderful acoustics of St Luke’s Church.

Putney Library will host Project Adorno’s ‘A-Z of the London Underground’, which takes audiences on a whistle stop tour of 26 Underground stations through song, monologues, poems and facts.

The Wandsworth Film Festival will showcase short films funded through the Wandsworth Film Award Scheme and the Westminster Arts Professional Development Bursary Scheme, with support from Film London.

This includes a film by Rupert Raby called ‘Molly and Plum’ about a troubled youth doing community service in a care home, who bonds with a mischievous resident. The unlikely partners in crime hatch an escape plan that ends up changing them in unexpected ways.

Stitch Wandsworth invites visitors to come and find out more about Islamic traditions of embroidery and pattern and their cross-over with western traditions. Experts from the Royal School of Embroidery will help all ages to have a go at creating patterns.

As part of Adult Learners Week, Putney School of Art and Design will provide two introductory taster sessions in drawing and portrait drawing - covering basic techniques of texture, shape and form of natural and manmade objects. Materials will be provided and all levels of experience are welcome.