Hello Dorking, Local Artists, and Community Groups Collaborate on Vibrant Town-Wide Public Art Project
Hello Dorking is thrilled to announce the completion of a community art initiative: the installation of stunning new artistic planters across the town centre. These planters, which feature works from five talented local artists, will form the backbone of a new Dorking Artistic Trail set to launch in spring 2026.
The project, which received vital funding from Mole Valley District Council’s Neighbourhood CIL fund, replaces old wooden planters with durable galvanised steel structures wrapped in bespoke artwork. The theme given to the artists was “What I love about Dorking,” resulting in a varied and deeply personal celebration of the town.
A True Community Collaboration
This initiative showcases the incredible talent and collaborative spirit within Dorking:
- Five Local Artists: The planters feature original designs by Uncle Stubble (Tim Styling), Diana Croft, Twinkleton Art, Tiffany Budd, and Lucy Carielli. Their designs celebrate everything from the town’s iconic cockerel and rolling Surrey Hills landscape to its rich music scene and historic buildings.
- Celebrating Dorking’s Culture: Uncle Stubble’s design, titled “Dorking Mix Tape 1 & 2,” features bold, stereo-themed planters covered in the logos of local bands from the 70s to the present day. Meanwhile, Diana Croft uses linocuts and collage to pay homage to the Dorking cockerel and the surrounding landscape.
- Local Partners: Hello Dorking commissioned Wild by Design for the bespoke, thriving planting schemes and worked with Eyes Wide Design to flawlessly translate the artists’ varied original media (from paintings on wood to digital files) onto the steel wraps.
- Community Involvement: The Dorking Men’s Shed created information stakes for the new planters, and the South Street Memorial Garden Project utilised compost and plants from the replaced planters, ensuring resources were reused locally.
Enhancing the High Street Experience
Beyond the artistic wraps, the project has ensured a more welcoming approach to Dorking, including the renovation and replanting of the concrete planters in Allen Court and Chequers Yard. Wild by Design will continue the ongoing maintenance of all planters, ensuring they remain vibrant all year round.
“We are so delighted to see this artistic and collaborative project come to life” says Jo McGowan of Hello Dorking. “This project is a perfect marriage of civic improvement and local artistry. It ensures a better welcome to our town and gives everyone a chance to pause and appreciate the creativity and community that makes Dorking unique. We can’t wait for the full Artistic Trail to launch in Spring 2026.”
The Dorking Artistic Planters stand as a permanent, living exhibition celebrating the heart and heritage of Dorking.
